Question: (Please see attachment for a Word document of the below info - it may be easier to read).

SUMMARY:
A few times a year, I get pain in my chest and neck that lasts for about 5 days. The symptoms might match pleurisy, peritonitis and pericarditis, but I’d like a physician’s opinion regarding possible diagnosis and whether this requires further exams to rule out something serious.
CURRENT ISSUE:
A few times a year I get a condition with pain in chest and lower throat area when taking a deep breath or exerting myself. It feels worse (especially in my throat) when I lie down. The pain in my chest is like XXXXXXX pressure, and the pain in my throat feels like tissue is inflamed or sore. If I refrain from movement then I don't experience pain – I only feel the pain in my chest and throat if I breathe or move around. At it's worst, it's uncomfortable to walk -- anything that raises my heart rate causes pain. I have no headaches or other issues.
The pain lasts for a total of about 5 days. The 1st day is mild, the pain peaks the 2nd and 3rd day, and the 4th and 5th days are mild.
HEALTH HISTORY:
•     I'm 35 yr old, 5'11", 165 lbs, healthy Caucasian male.
•     I drink approx 2-3 days/week, between 1-4 alcoholic drinks/night
•     Non-smoker
•     No medications (occassionally I will take a Tums)
In the past, I had several years struggling with acid reflux and IBS, but a gluten-free diet has eliminated pretty much all IBS and reflux symptoms (I tested negative for Celiac). I used to have chronic panic/anxiety attacks, but I do not have them anymore.
My most recent medical evaluation was approx 6 months ago. The doctor found no issues. I told him that I was concerned over the several years that I struggled with acid reflux, but he checked my throat with a flashlight and saw no signs of disease.
QUESTIONS:
•     What are the possible diagnoses for the chest pains?
•     My most recent bout has passed. Is it still important to visit the doctor?
•     Does it appear that this condition could be indicative of a serious disease?
•     Is there any way I can prevent further onset of this condition?

I should not have included the information on acid reflux and anxiety attacks, as you seem to have fixated on that, and I'm quite sure it has nothing to do with those issues -- both those issues have been resolved for a couple of years now.

Again, I haven't had a panic attack or chronic acid reflux for a couple of years now. Anyway pain I had with acid reflux was very different than the pain that I had for this issue. I do not require advice on how to avoid acid reflux, as it is no longer a problem. I do not believe that this issue has anything to do with acid reflux -- the pain is very different.

As I mentioned, the symptoms I experience mimic pleurisy, peritonitis or pericarditis. Have you ruled those conditions out?

Honestly, I feel like you haven't carefully read over my issue, and instead you have fixated on acid reflux and anxiety, two conditions that I have not experienced in some time.

Thank you for your reply. I may not have explained my symptoms in enough detail. My pain was indeed aggravated by leaning forward or lying down. Also, anything that accelerated my heartbeat (such as walking or getting up from a seated position) caused shortness of breath and pain in chest and neck.

In other words, whenever I could feel my heart beating more (typically by light activity such as walking at a leisurely pace), the pain would increase. The pain was not at all similar to the type of burning pain I used to experience with acid reflux.

With this additional information, do you think it could indeed be pericarditis? Is it typical for pericarditis to resolve within several days? Are there any clues as to whether it is viral or bacterial?

Thank you for your help. I may indeed see a doctor for tests.