Throbbing pain just below the breastbone.
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello, I am wondering if someone could help or explain to me what this pain is? I experience this throbbing pain that occurs just below my breastbone and feels likes the top of the stomach. I experience it about once a month roughly and lasts roughly about 24 hours. It doesn't feel like heartburn - with the burning sensation, as well, not reflux. I kind of realised this when the Rennies & Gaviscon wouldn't relieve the symptoms. The pain would shortly stop after drinking water but reoccur shortly soon and eating kind of relieves the pain as well. I have noticed it's worse when laying down, which makes me thinking it must be reflux - so I am curious if anyone else experience these symptoms.
To give you a background around my health: I have been diagnosed with Achalasia Type 2 and had a procedure to help with the swallowing: Heller Myotomy with Fundoplication. My consultant confirmed I would experience reflux, no doubt about it - so I am on Omeprazole twice a day. I won't lie, I don't watch what I eat. I am 27 and wanted to keep some of my life not worrying about those issues, but I am being smart about it and avoiding those foods that would cause a trigger - I may just have a nibble on a bit of chocolate and not over do it lol.
I thought I would get in contact here first, before looking to speak to my GP and asking to be referred to a specialist. I should be coming up to a 2 year check up since my procedure for an endoscopy, but with COVID makes me think it could be delayed.
Thank you for reading 😃
1 like, 5 replies
fanakerpan oheavingham
Posted
@oheavingham sorry you are having this problem, I have Achalasia but I havent had the symptom that you have described? it maybe worth visiting/calling the GP anyway it may be unrelated to your Achalasia especially as it is only maybe once a month. Sorry I cant be of more help, I just wanted to respond to you, I hope you are feeling better soon, please let us know how you get on 😃
oheavingham fanakerpan
Posted
Thanks for the reply. I am going to try a support pillow a month or two before seeing a GP and see if this improves. My theory is if I can go without symptoms I've mentioned for a couple months, then possible case would be reflux irritating my throat.
Jae8663 oheavingham
Posted
Hi, I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you what it is, but I also get this pain - like the top of my stomach where the lower esophageal spincter is, is throbbing with pain. I get it maybe weekly, and sometimes it's so bad that I have to curl up into a ball or press in on it with my fingers as if I can relieve the pain.
I was diagnosed with achalasia in 2015 and had a Hellers Myotomy with fundoplication that same year.
I hope you manage to relieve it in some way - do let us know how you get on!
oheavingham Jae8663
Posted
Hey, thanks for commenting.
Your description sounds exactly what I experience.
I can't really say how I manage because it is a guessing game when it flares up. Sometimes Rennie's will resolve the issue and then it doesn't on other occasions. Sometimes Rennie's Deflatine works, which makes me think is the pain related to trapped air. Also ibuprofen helps on some occasion, but it is probably masking the pain but kind of makes me think has reflux caused some inflammation in that area.
At the moment I am trying a support pillow to stop any Acid Reflux backing up and so far I am feeling good. If you haven't given it a try, maybe give it a go 😃
ach53013 oheavingham
Posted
I had this as well. I believe it is the sphincter having a spasm. I thought it was GERD. Niphedipine helped, but it wasn't until I started taking chelated magnesium that the issue went away, along with the acalasia. (I stopped taking nifedipine as it was no longer needed at that point.)