Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I've got a question about heartburn, which is what I think I have. I have a feeling of coldness in my upper chest and throat. I know this manifestation is unusual, but some people experience this rather than a more typical burning pain in the center to upper chest. I had this maybe 8 years ago after a cold- it felt like I'd had too many Ricola throat lozenges and the effect had become permanent. My gastro at the time said it was heartburn and prescribed Ranitidine (Zantac). It went away after a few days of treatment. So 3 weeks ago, after a cold, there it was again. I got Ranitidine/75mg, over the counter and took it for a week- no improvement. I saw my family doctor, who agreed it was probably heartburn, though he thought it could also be apthous ulcers (those little white, painful indentations in the mouth), that can also appear in the esophagous. He told me to try Omeprazole/Prilosec instead. It went away after 4 days of that, but has come back after a few days off. It's a 14 day course, and I'm on day 10. So either it's a. really persistent heartburn b. something else. My LFT's are fine and dandy, continuing in the high-normal range. The appearance of my esophagous has always been normal, including when I had an ERCP at the end of October. Any suggestions on what it might be, and how to be rid of it? Thanks! Martha (MA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Martha After my tx I had esophagitis, the sx were sharp pain while swallowing. Endoscopy revealed small ulcers so I was put on nexium and still take it daily, after almost 4 years. I really dislike taking meds that are advertised, it seems like I am paying for the PR. I irritates me even more when they send me advertising, I'm already taking it so what do they want me to do? Take it twice a day? Well, it works, so I take it. Take Care MixKitAOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 > > I've got a question about heartburn, which is what I think I have. I > have a feeling of coldness in my upper chest and throat. I had a serious issue with " heartburn " that is not at all typical, but may point the way to a solution for you. Mine occurred when I was on a high dose of sulfa due to a nosocomial infection. The high dose sulfa caused fungal " balls " (peanut-sized blockages) in my biliary tree. The overall sensation was one of extreme heartburn and pressure below the sternum. Perhaps you have a blockage of another kind???? Sludge? It may be worth checking into. Remember, that my case is not at all typical and I have had many unusual issues that most of you will never have! Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Martha and Penny, Is your pain/discomfort right below the sternum? I've had pain in this area for over a year. I was also prescribed omeprazole but I'm not sure if it has helped. I do know that whenever I've been on antibiotics or flagyl (for pouchitis) the pain has gone away. Last week the pain intensified and a feeling of being bloated was also present. I quit the omeprazole and both sx went away. Now the pain/discomfort is back and I am frustrated. Sometimes there is even a little nausea. I have had trouble staying hydrated at an adequate level which might be part of the problem. Having this pain makes any appetite I have disappear which is not good as I really need to gain some weight. Penny, I was put on a round of antifungal last summer because the doctor saw fungus during my ERCP so hopefully I have gotten rid of that problem but maybe it is still lingering. I am very tired of having such a unique set of problems. :)Blessings, Barby - KS UC - 1965, ileostomy - 1972, BCIR (continent pouch) 1994, PSC - 1995, arthritis 2007married 27 years , 5 sons, 2 daughers in law, 1 granddaugher born 6/06 and 2 golden retrievers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 > > Martha and Penny, > Is your pain/discomfort right below the sternum? > Penny, I was put on a round of antifungal last summer because the doctor saw fungus during my ERCP so hopefully I have gotten rid of that problem but maybe it is still lingering. I am very tired of having such a unique set of problems. > > Blessings, > Barby - KS > Yes, my pain was right below the sternum -- that's why everyone thought that I had GERD. It was a crushing pain that was hard to tolerate. I was on a normal dose of Diflucan for a month, but the pain came back within two months. After that, I was on a double dose of Diflucan for a month -- during which I had a lot of nausea and felt dreadful, but it did the trick. Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 What do you mean he saw fungus during an ERCP? You mean inside? I have such a problem with yeast, fungal infections and have always attributed it to my PSC. Is this a common problem for people with PSC? Sorry if I've missed other postings regarding this. Thanks, Cheryl > > > > > Martha and Penny, > > Is your pain/discomfort right below the sternum? > > Penny, I was put on a round of antifungal last summer because > the doctor saw fungus during my ERCP so hopefully I have gotten rid of > that problem but maybe it is still lingering. I am very tired of > having such a unique set of problems. > > > > Blessings, > > Barby - KS > > > > Yes, my pain was right below the sternum -- that's why everyone > thought that I had GERD. It was a crushing pain that was hard to > tolerate. I was on a normal dose of Diflucan for a month, but the pain > came back within two months. After that, I was on a double dose of > Diflucan for a month -- during which I had a lot of nausea and felt > dreadful, but it did the trick. > Penny > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 What do you mean he saw fungus during an ERCP? You mean inside? >>> Sorry I wasn't very clear about this. The doc took a brushing (more than one actually) and at least one showed the fungus which he treated with one round of difluconazole (sp). Then later in the fall after I had been on antibiotics again for cholangitis I suggested that the doctor treat me again for fungal infection just in case. Blessings, Barby - KS UC - 1965, ileostomy - 1972, BCIR (continent pouch) 1994, PSC - 1995, arthritis 2007married 27 years , 5 sons, 2 daughers in law, 1 granddaugher born 6/06 and 2 golden retrievers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Thanks to Penny, MizKit and everyone else who replied. We are pretty sure the heartburn pain isn't caused by a new bile duct blockage, because my LFTs have maintained in the normal range, since last summer. I just had an MRCP Monday, so that should tell if there is a new stricture. The heartburn went away but came back, so my Gastroenterologist doubled the dose of Prilosec to 40 mg/day for 2 weeks, then back to 20 mg/day for the following 2 weeks. So far, so good, but it seems to be going in 4 day cycles. He has me avoiding citrus, tomato, coffee, chocolate (NOOOOO!) and other foods that can exacerbate acid problems. At this rate I'm going to be living on a diet of brown rice and barley. Sigh. Thanks for your input. Martha (MA) > Perhaps you have a blockage of another kind???? Sludge? It may be > worth checking into. > > Remember, that my case is not at all typical and I have had many > unusual issues that most of you will never have! > > Penny > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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