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Severe pain in ribs, is it GERD or something else?

Claude03

579d

I’m currently on meds for GERD, but I don’t think that’s what I have. In the past 4 months, I’ve had 6 episodes in which I had severe pain in my ribs, just below the breasts (right where the bra band is), predominately on the left side. It starts late at night/early in the morning. 5/6 times, it woke me from sleep, the 6th time, I was awake when it started. It’s usually a cramping pain, ranging 8-10 in severity (out of 10). Half of the episodes included vomiting. During the most recent episode, there was slight relief after vomiting. The pain lasts 1-3 hours. It just stops after a while. I’ve been to the ER for the pain twice now. Nothing abnormal in the chest x-ray. Blood work came back normal (aside from very mild anemia). I’ve had about 5 EKG/ECGs now. Each one, I was told everything was normal. My doctor looked at the first one and the most recent one and said there was an increase of strain on my heart. I occasionally have heart palpitations too. The same foods do not consistently overlap with the episodes. Before one episode, I had eaten pizza. The next day, I had pizza again (from the same pizza) and I didn’t have any pain. I tend to eat the same foods over and over again, but nothing has consistently aligned with the pain episodes. My question is: Does this sound like GERD or acid reflux at all? I don’t have heart burn.

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13

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Nausea and Vomiting

Chronic Generalized pain

Chronic Heartburn

Esophagitis-Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Palpitations

Gastric & Duodenal Ulcer-Peptic Ulcer

Generalized pain

Abdominal Distention

Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)

Chronic or Recurrent Palpitations

Bloody stools

Neck Pain

Pantoprazole

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Omeprazole

Chronic Diarrhea

Chronic Nausea and Vomiting

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Top reply
    • Jcam1336

      576d

      @Claude03 absolutely. Sometimes excruciating, as if my organs were on fire or being stabbed.

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    • Jcam1336

      578d

      I had a similar experience. I had ‘silent reflux’ in which I didn’t feel heartburn but the acid was still coming up and creating issues in my esophagus, and also was told it was the cause of my heart palpitations.

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      • Claude03

        576d

        @Jcam1336 did you have episodes of abdominal pain?

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        • Jcam1336

          576d

          @Claude03 absolutely. Sometimes excruciating, as if my organs were on fire or being stabbed.

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    • mardain

      578d

      Regurgitation is a symptom of GERD that can cause vomiting. It's not for sure GERD with just this symptom, though. I have had cramping exactly where you described since the third trimester of my last pregnancy, which was about 2 years ago. I get it when bending over. I never thought it was related to GERD, but perhaps I am wrong.

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      • Claude03

        576d

        @mardain I haven’t had regurgitation. Just the vomiting and sometimes nausea

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    • Calibird

      579d

      It's probably gerd, but also sounds like costochondritis. In any case maybe you should seek out a couple of specialists

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    • FORBIDDEN

      579d

      Sounds like gastritis but then again it can be gastritis with GERD and acid reflux do you ever get acidic stomach feeling or stomach burning from acid?

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      • Claude03

        578d

        @FORBIDDEN nope. The only possible symptom of acid reflux I have is abdominal pain, which my doctor said some people have.

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    • SJP

      579d

      It could be just GERD, or it could be something more. My peptic ulcer disease acted similarly to my GERD, but I did have a few changes (melena, more diarrhea). I've also found that, unfortunately, GERD medications do not work for me (protonix/pantoprozole, Omeprazole, antacids). The only thing that sometimes helps is this oral suspension that coats my ulcer and tastes like cough syrup + chalky antacids. I would let your doctor know that the meds aren't working, and tell them where you're specifically having pain. It sounds similar to my duodenal ulcer.

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    • AKD

      579d

      Do you have any additional symptoms that you could tell us about?

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      • Claude03

        578d

        @AKD I’ve been sleeping excessively, but that started 2 months after my first episode.

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    • Steph08

      579d

      If they think it’s GERD, and to the point you’re vomiting, they should send you to a gastroenterologist and they can do a endoscopy. It will either confirm or rule out. Then you can know or rule out. I would THINK (as someone who has horrible heartburn as a side effect from a med) that the vomit would be super acidic and you would be able to tell. So if it’s not, they would look elsewhere. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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      • Claude03

        578d

        @Steph08 I asked for a referral and my doctor said no and that she wouldn’t give me one unless the meds didn’t work. I finally got a referral from an urgent care, but the soonest appointment is in November.

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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