Chest "pain" not cardiac?

[Anonymous]

Anyone had gas/chest pain-- mostly in the center and mild but it also travels around-- that doesn't seem to be cardiac? Late 40s female, non-smoker, in good health. Trying to rule out heartburn but OTC meds aren't helping. Next appt is with gastro but can't get in for a while and wondering if anyone had experienced the same.

[Anonymous]

Gas

[Anonymous]

GERD? Stress?

[Anonymous]

Can also be a panic attack/anxiety.

[Anonymous]

For my husband, it has been Gerd and anxiety. They told him to cut out all carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol. What a life.

[Anonymous]

Unless a cardiologist has confirmed that it is not heart related, how do you know?

Get a check up ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless a cardiologist has confirmed that it is not heart related, how do you know?

Get a check up ASAP.

OP here. I’ve been to a cardiologist and he doesn’t think it’s that (based on symptoms and tests).

[Anonymous]

I used to get that, though I wouldn't describe it as mild. My issue was gas, so digestive in nature. I don't seem to be able to digest meat easily. Once I cut that out, and upped my fiber through vegetables and beans, and increased my water intake, I haven't experienced that pain in awhile.

I went to a cardiologist for a different reason and those tests came back with no issues. I also went to a gastro, who prescribed a medication for stomach acid. That medication had little impact on my issues, too, so I stopped taking it.

[Anonymous]

Do you take any meds?

[Anonymous]

I have this, and the doctor doesn't know since it is never happening when I'm at the doctor. In the reading I have done, I'm starting to think it's an esophagus spasm, but that's just a guess. Chocolate seems to trigger mine, but I've had it on an empty stomach too. Google it and see if it sounds right.

[Anonymous]

Costochondritis?

[Anonymous]

The differential for chest pain is long. Given that you have already been to the cardiologist and ruled cardiac issues out, you are probably looking at a GI issue -- GERD is most likely (somewhat common for OTCs not to fix it) -- could also be excess gas buildup (especially since you say it "travels around," some kind of infection, pancreatitis (do you drink?) ... heck it could be a number of things. See the GI doc and see what they say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costochondritis?

I would think the cardiologist would have had the sense to palpate her chest and exclude this.

[Anonymous]

pulled muscle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The differential for chest pain is long. Given that you have already been to the cardiologist and ruled cardiac issues out, you are probably looking at a GI issue -- GERD is most likely (somewhat common for OTCs not to fix it) -- could also be excess gas buildup (especially since you say it "travels around," some kind of infection, pancreatitis (do you drink?) ... heck it could be a number of things. See the GI doc and see what they say.

Interesting-- I didn't know OTCs often didn't resolve heartburn.
What kinds of infection cause heartburn-like symptoms?