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What Causes Burning Pain In Chest And Upper Back After Eating?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Question: Hi,
I have had a bad attack for the fifth time now, all of the attack happened at night with similar symptoms, acute pain on right above hip spreading to back accompanied with sicking- sharp burning sensation comes with sicking from the food that I sick. The pain is unbearable and lasts for around 3-4 hrs. The pain goes away suddenly.
Hi,

I also need to add that I think that when I eat NO fat then I wouldn't get an attack and meat would definitely trigger an attack.
After any heavy meal I feel awful and sick- I cannot keep down a heavy meal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You present with symptoms of moderate to sever Acid Reflux/GERD

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. Your symptoms are classic really for Acid Reflux, the foods that you mention are classic for triggering the worsening symptoms. This is what you should do immediately.
1. Avoid eating late meals in the night, eat at least 4 hours before lying down.
2. As you have figured out, avoid heavy greasy oily foods, especially also fast foods with pizza and hot spices
3. Elevate your head whole sleeping
4. You will need a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) to treat this,

I hope this helps, good luck and thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (7 hours later)
Hi
This is not the case as
1. I have taken medicines for heartburn and they have not had any effect.
2. How would you associate the severe attacks on my right side above hip to reflux?
I do not think that the diagnosis is at all correct
Furthermore I have researched reflux symptoms and none of them mirror my symptoms, I am not getting heartburn during attacks, I am not getting any throat pains etc. I think the diagnosis seems way out. Please review my symptoms
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This could also be due to gall bladder inflammation due to sludge

Detailed Answer:
One does not necessarily have to have heart burn and or throat pains. In any event, acid reflux needs to be ruled out, it is the easiest thing to do, the next step is to be placed on medication for 14 days and await resolution. And the medication for heart burn is Proton pump inhibitors and not tums as many people think.

The other option is that you are having gall bladder attacks brought on by the foods you are eating. And ultrasound of your stomach could tell you is you have gall stone or sludge. The stones in the past might have passed into your stomach and or you may have sludge. Sludge is basically thick bile that causes blockage causing symptoms similar to yours.

The other entity is that you have pancreatitis, this is especially due to the fact that you have radiation, this in effect can be related to the gall stone sludge or what is called acalculus cholecystitis causing blockage in the biliary tree and this blockage to the ampulla.

I hope this further elaborates my thinking, I am sorry and apologize for not satisfying your querry initially, God bless and good luck, but feel free to ask me more questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (5 hours later)
Hi,
Thanks for a more detailed reply.
Please can you let me know if the medication for heartburn you recommend is purchased over the counter in a pharmacy or does this need to be prescribed by a doctor.
I have already have ad abdominal scan and this came back clear.
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
Also how would sludge be diagnosed?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Omeprazole for acid reflux is prescription

Detailed Answer:
The Omeprazole is prescription and your doctor will need to write you a script. Sludge is diagnosed using endoscopic ultrasound and since you had a abdominal scan and this was normal, endoscopic US would be more sensitive. Pancreatitis is diagnosed by abdominal US and or CT abdomen, the endoscopic US will also accurately define the pancreatitis. Blood testing for amylase and lipase is also used for the workup and evaluation of pancreatitis.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Sassen S Kwasa

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 502 Questions

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What Causes Burning Pain In Chest And Upper Back After Eating?

Brief Answer: You present with symptoms of moderate to sever Acid Reflux/GERD Detailed Answer: Welcome to HCM. Your symptoms are classic really for Acid Reflux, the foods that you mention are classic for triggering the worsening symptoms. This is what you should do immediately. 1. Avoid eating late meals in the night, eat at least 4 hours before lying down. 2. As you have figured out, avoid heavy greasy oily foods, especially also fast foods with pizza and hot spices 3. Elevate your head whole sleeping 4. You will need a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) to treat this, I hope this helps, good luck and thanks.