Chest Pain- Help!

Puffytwo · 09-23-2008, 09:54 PM

Hi! I have been reading the threads but cannot find an awswer to what I am experiencing. I starting feeling pain in my chest last night after eating popcorn(!) which i do all the time since it is one of the things that goes down. (banded one year ago) I am now hearing that is a no-no. Well when I woke up this morning after finally falling asleep last night the pain was still there! It is sharp pains in my chest, right between my breasts and has been going on all day. I went to Urgent Care and they ruled out any heart problems then I went to my Lap Band doctor and he took all the fluid out. The pain went away for a couple of hours but is now back. I am so frustrated. Has anyone been thru this? I have 2 little boys on my own so it is not really an option to go sit in the ER tonight and wait for an Upper GI like my doctor wants. I am thinking the swelling may go down and the pain will stop(?)

IM_LORI · 09-23-2008, 10:37 PM

you may have had a piece of the kernal scrape in the wall of your esophagus. A few days of warm liquids and soft foods should help. I've had similar problems that felt like that when I've had some major acid reflux problems. It feels like glass went down when you eat. Do you think you may have some esophageal irritation from reflux? Try some Maalox or something for a few days also, and see what kind of results you get from that as well.

Nanook · 09-23-2008, 10:40 PM

I went through this about two weeks ago and they made me spend the night in the hospital to rule out the heart, which is fine. The PA at the hospital thought it might be my esophagus and reflux or a hiatal hernia.

I called my surgeon's office and met with them and they had me get an upper GI. They saw reflux, I'm a year post-op too and I have no fill in my band and it was still happening. They put me on a medicine to help with the acid production. I forgot what it's called but I'm sure your doctor will probably put you on something similar. So far it's gotten better but even with no fill I'm still pretty restricted but because I never lost weight with the band and am now having this issue I'm having it removed soon. Don't worry that doesn't mean you need to, it's my choice. Hope you feel better soon, Nancy.

Puffytwo · 09-23-2008, 10:48 PM

thank you for your response. It feels different from gas or reflux, like I actually thought I was having heart problems. is that normal? I mean not normal but common? it feels very painful for a few seconds then goes away. like I got hit in the chest with a sack of flour.

Nanook · 09-23-2008, 10:55 PM

Puffytwo,

Mine were/are sharp pains that last for a second right in the center of my chest and were coming about every 2 minutes when I was in the hospital. I don't feel pressure. It should be ruled out with an upper GI and if not then, then I suppose they might have to do some other test, maybe an endoscopy or something. I've heard who people complain of hiatal hernias feeling like pressure in the chest. Mine were definitely sharp pains that came and went.

What did your bariatric surgeon tell you it was?

You've ruled out your heart so that's a good thing and hopefully an upper GI will help you figure out what it is. Nancy

Smartiegirl · 09-24-2008, 12:14 AM

Hi Puffy,
Have you ever had a problem with your gall bladder? Some times that can feel like pressure under your breastbone that radiates and comes and goes (colicky). I have heard others say it scares them that it is their heart. Just a thought. I hope you feel better soon!

Bea1128 · 09-24-2008, 09:43 AM

A while back I read a post on this site (sorry, I can't remember where) that a lady, who also ate popcorn all the time and I think she was more than a year out from surgery as well, had a similar problem. She found out that some of the kernals actually got stuck in her pouch somehow that didn't go away from an unfill. Now please realize that you are getting this info second hand and I honestly can't remember all the details, but I think you probably should have the upper GI if it doesn't get better. If you are still having pain after a few days you should probably have it checked out. Good luck and keep us posted.

Bea1128 · 09-24-2008, 09:48 AM

I found it! Hope this helps.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f78/popco...1-enemy-63151/