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What Causes Chest Pain While On Esomeprazole?

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Posted on Sat, 23 Apr 2016
Question: Hi. I have been taking Esomeprazole for GERD issues for the last 6 weeks. I also have TMJ disorder for which I have been taking ibuprofen/paracetamol. (I was prescribed amitriptyline 10mg/day but only used for 1 week as they made me feel more unwell - taken about 3 weeks ago). I have also been coughing up mucus for about a year which my doc says is not an infection so no meds for this.
Last week I noticed a strong heavy ache/pain in the centre of my chest, it came on suddenly whilst resting, it has since moved around a bit, affecting my upper abdomen, back (between shoulder blades), left side as well as the centre of my chest.
the only time it seems to calm slightly is after a bath or getting up in the morning. the rest of the day it is a constant pain. it gets worse if I bend over forwards.
I have had this a few times and usually lasts 6wks to 12wks and my doc keeps telling me its anxiety but in honesty its the pain bringing on the anxiety.
I thought this might be something to do with my ribs as osteoporosis is in my family but I am only 39.
I also thought maybe its the Esomeprazole so I have stopped today to see if it makes a difference but no change yet. What would you advise? I have no faith in my GP as he doesn't seem to believe what I say.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Possible need for change/adding of treatment for GERD

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thank you for using HCM to post your question.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.

Lets consider what your pain may be:
-- You are too young to have osteoporosis. If you already have your period, it makes it even less possible.
-- Omeprazole does not cause a side effect like the one you are describing. So I don't think it is that wither.
-- GERD causes cough, due to acid reflux. So unless you have fever, than it is not an infection. Though I am a little bit surprised that after 6 weeks of omeprazole use you still have cough.
-- The fact that the pain changes location, makes it more prone to be a anxiety pain, and also how you are describing it looks typical of an anxiety pain. People who have this types of pain, does not necessarily have anxiety, but they may have had problems in the last 6 months, a loss in the family, stress with work, ect, people who are closed and think a lot but do not share much with other people, people who are emotional and experience a lot bad experiences. All this make the body accumulate the stress over the time, which is then released by organic symptoms like the type of pain you have described.
We decide that diagnose, if the other diagnoses which give that type of pain are ruled out, and we can't find the cause, then its more probably an anxiety ache.
-- So considering what I have above, your age, I would think of one other thing to rule out before thinking of anxiety- IS the treatment you are taking enough for your GERD symptoms? Maybe the ache you are having is from the aggravation of GERD, so stopping Omeprazole should make the pain worse. I would not recommend that. My recommendation would be to see a gastro-enterologist, who can evaluate the treatment you need to treat the GERD symptoms.

So these are my thoughts,
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

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What Causes Chest Pain While On Esomeprazole?

Brief Answer: Possible need for change/adding of treatment for GERD Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thank you for using HCM to post your question. I read it carefully and I understand your concern. Lets consider what your pain may be: -- You are too young to have osteoporosis. If you already have your period, it makes it even less possible. -- Omeprazole does not cause a side effect like the one you are describing. So I don't think it is that wither. -- GERD causes cough, due to acid reflux. So unless you have fever, than it is not an infection. Though I am a little bit surprised that after 6 weeks of omeprazole use you still have cough. -- The fact that the pain changes location, makes it more prone to be a anxiety pain, and also how you are describing it looks typical of an anxiety pain. People who have this types of pain, does not necessarily have anxiety, but they may have had problems in the last 6 months, a loss in the family, stress with work, ect, people who are closed and think a lot but do not share much with other people, people who are emotional and experience a lot bad experiences. All this make the body accumulate the stress over the time, which is then released by organic symptoms like the type of pain you have described. We decide that diagnose, if the other diagnoses which give that type of pain are ruled out, and we can't find the cause, then its more probably an anxiety ache. -- So considering what I have above, your age, I would think of one other thing to rule out before thinking of anxiety- IS the treatment you are taking enough for your GERD symptoms? Maybe the ache you are having is from the aggravation of GERD, so stopping Omeprazole should make the pain worse. I would not recommend that. My recommendation would be to see a gastro-enterologist, who can evaluate the treatment you need to treat the GERD symptoms. So these are my thoughts, Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer. Take care, Dr. Papaqako