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What Causes Persistent Heartburn, Throat Tightness And Back Pain?
Question: I am a 38 year old female. About 6 weeks ago I had the stomach flu. I've had heartburn constantly since this time. I've been taking 2 zantac 150 per day which has been helping. In the past 2 weeks I have developed a feeling of having something stuck in my throat. After eating it feels like food gets caught in my throat. It slowly makes it's way down my chest, feeling like it's stuck the whole way down. It creates a feeling of pressure on the chest. I've also experienced stomach and back pain. I've been generally feeling tired and unwell at times but am still able to lead a productive life. I have an appointment next week with my GP but looking for some general ideas now. I've been experiencing terrible anxiety that it is stomach or pancreatic cancer and am consumed by this thought. So I am looking for some ideas until I speak to my dr.
Brief Answer:
Less likely to be cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Given that your symptoms began with a gastrointestinal upset (stomach flu - gastroenteritis), I think there is reason for your current symptoms.
Sometimes a stomach flu can affect the whole GI tract. The Zantac 150 mg 2x/day is a good idea.
The stuck/pressure esophageal pain is likely to be from gastroeseophageal reflux (GERD). Acid coming up the esophagus can cause hearburn but also throat symptoms and pain or irritation going down the esophagus. Also stomach and back pain.
Your doctor may want to switch you to a proton pump inhibitor if several weeks of Zantac has not worked well enough.
Your doctor may also consider an abdominal ultrasound, but this may not be necessary if a different medication makes the problem go away. An abdominal ultrasound can be used to look at the gall bladder and pancreas and is noninvasive.
So...given that this all followed a stomach flu, I think there is reason to not worry about cancer.
I'd suggest a good quality probiotic as possibly your gut flora is now off.
Also, for now, avoid peppermint (can increase reflux), caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, tomatoes and other acidy foods (like some citrus), and anything else that seems to make it worse. That can include spicy, greasy things for some people.
Consider going to the drug store and getting wedges to raise the head of your bed (they are sold to help GERD). And try not to go to bed within a couple hours of eating.
Eat small amounts at a time, as larger amounts stretches the stomach which can increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
You can also take some Mylanta or Maalox antacid after eating. Take a look on the bottle though, for how much time there should be between these antacids and other medications as they can interfere with absorption.
I hope this information helps. It doesn't sound too worrisome. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Less likely to be cancer.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Given that your symptoms began with a gastrointestinal upset (stomach flu - gastroenteritis), I think there is reason for your current symptoms.
Sometimes a stomach flu can affect the whole GI tract. The Zantac 150 mg 2x/day is a good idea.
The stuck/pressure esophageal pain is likely to be from gastroeseophageal reflux (GERD). Acid coming up the esophagus can cause hearburn but also throat symptoms and pain or irritation going down the esophagus. Also stomach and back pain.
Your doctor may want to switch you to a proton pump inhibitor if several weeks of Zantac has not worked well enough.
Your doctor may also consider an abdominal ultrasound, but this may not be necessary if a different medication makes the problem go away. An abdominal ultrasound can be used to look at the gall bladder and pancreas and is noninvasive.
So...given that this all followed a stomach flu, I think there is reason to not worry about cancer.
I'd suggest a good quality probiotic as possibly your gut flora is now off.
Also, for now, avoid peppermint (can increase reflux), caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, tomatoes and other acidy foods (like some citrus), and anything else that seems to make it worse. That can include spicy, greasy things for some people.
Consider going to the drug store and getting wedges to raise the head of your bed (they are sold to help GERD). And try not to go to bed within a couple hours of eating.
Eat small amounts at a time, as larger amounts stretches the stomach which can increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
You can also take some Mylanta or Maalox antacid after eating. Take a look on the bottle though, for how much time there should be between these antacids and other medications as they can interfere with absorption.
I hope this information helps. It doesn't sound too worrisome. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Yes, that's possible.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, if your esophagus is inflamed or irritated from the previous reflux (and there may still be some that you aren't feeling - "silent reflux") then it can give a stuck feeling. And this stuck feeling can occur anywhere along the esophagus.
It's possible that you are having some esophageal spasm, in reaction to this too.
Yes, that's possible.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, if your esophagus is inflamed or irritated from the previous reflux (and there may still be some that you aren't feeling - "silent reflux") then it can give a stuck feeling. And this stuck feeling can occur anywhere along the esophagus.
It's possible that you are having some esophageal spasm, in reaction to this too.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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