Indigestion and feeling concerned.

You say it’s triggered by the wrong food and that PPI’s and antacids help and if you’re careful what you eat, the pain goes away.
So, it does seem to be a stomach problem not a heart problem.
Why don’t you see a specialist anyway, to put your mind at rest?

* CafeAuLait* I have had similar over the past few years. Like you as it passes I don’t worry too much about it. An unrelated scan showed gallstones but I still think it’s probably gastritis. Like you my health anxiety makes me think all sorts.

A few years ago, I had much the same symptoms as you, but the attacks didn’t last very long.One night I woke up with the most awful chest pains, it felt like a heart attack.I sat propped up for a while and it receded a bit, DH wanted to call an ambulance but I didn’t want to ( not sure why) and I stayed propped up for the rest of the night with the pain coming and going.Eventually I went to sleep, woke up and felt fine.
I did go and see my GP ( who told me off for not calling an ambulance!) I had my heart checked ( fine) and was sent for a check up of my throat ( endoscopy?) and it was found to be damage caused by acid rising.The cure was /is Omazaprole tablets ( one a day for life) and it’s all been absolutely fine since then, no indigestion whatsoever, and I can eat and drink anything that I like at all, like magic!?
It’s very common apparently for older people, so good that you have had your heart checked, but your GP should also have suggested an endoscopy to see what’s going on.Good luck and don’t suffer in silence with this.

Thanks for talking to me. It has helped me feel a lot better.

I didn't go to the doctor at the time as this has happened from time to time and I wanted to see if it passed like it always does. If it had lasted longer than two weeks I would have gone. Also, I choose not to take PPIs long term, just very short term due to side effects. Also because I'd been the last time and everything was okay. I did decide that if it happens again before the end of the year, I will ask for a specialist referral.

I do everything I can to avoid my doctor at the moment. I do go when I really need to. I find my doctor loves to push the worst case scenario and isn't very reassuring. After last time, I'm not feeling so keen to go. She stressed me out so I told her I didn't want her to take my blood pressure. It can be a little high at the doctors. It is normal at home. She forced the cuff onto me anyway and I felt quite assaulted. Of course, after that, it was high. Then I get hassled about that when there is no need. I usually keep at chart at home and bring it in, but hadn't that day. I know I need to find a new doctor.

At the moment things are better so I'm watching to see if anything changes. Then I do have a plan to get it investigated further.

Thanks for listening. I feel better already.

Similar to lemongrove but mine was throat tightening as well as chest pain. I had an endoscopy and have a hiatus hernia with associated reflux. I can’t take omeprazole, unfortunately, wish I could, or any other PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors) but take Famotidine and Gaviscon. A dose of gaviscon advance before bed stops acid rising when lying down.

? That’s good.
My GP did say that serious indigestion problems do mimic a heart attack, but some people die because they really are having a heart attack and blame indigestion ( he gave me a pointed look at that point ?).

I've wondered about hiatus hernia but wondered if I could have a sliding one. I don't know if they can pick that up if it's currently not causing issues. I also find Gaviscon good, Jaxjacky.

I can understand that can happen lemongrove. My thoughts are if it feels different to what I've experienced before I'd get emergency care to make sure. Maybe I should have done that anyway. Instead I researched it to death and decided it was probably fine.

Yes Gaviscon here too, that helped last time where PPIs failed.

Exactly what Lemongrove said, only I was having such trouble getting my breath the friend I had called rang 111 and was told either an ambulance or get me to A&E herself. I opted for the latter and went through the whole ECG rigmarole. It was just 3 months after Paw had died which made it all the more frightening.
I was told eventually that it was a “gastric episode” and I knew anyway to keep off NSAIDs - ibuprofen etc which can trigger it, but there is also the e chance it could be an ulcer.
Get it checked
I suspect too many of us stoically try to “push through” and not bother the doctor, all the more so these days.
BTW do you still have a gall bladder? If so, maybe gallstones.
If there is nothing more serious amiss, forcing down a pint glass of very cold water can help plus regular breathing 3 in through your nose, 3 out through our mouth for as long as you can manage along with sleeping propped up.
Hope you find reassurance from your doctor.

I do find the PPIs work very quickly for me (Esomeprazole). I just don't want to take them for long.

Talking about health anxiety (part of GA) I lived with it for years. Now at least I know why I act like I do. Sorry you haven’t got an understanding doctor, it would help, perhaps you’d better changing.

Mawbe, I have done a ten second ECG trace with a portable machine several times. It's always normal.

I do have a gallbladder. Last year when I went to the doctor she had a good poke around and nothing hurt.

I'll get around to talking to the doctor about it at some stage. It feels less urgent now that things are more settled. If I have another bad flare up in the near future I'll go to the ER. At least then I'll get instant feedback.

Bluesky, I will be changing. I need a GP for a referral but I do know a very good gastroenterologist via a family member, so I'm happy to be referred to him. If it doesn't settle down or flares again before the end of the year, I think it might be good to get scoped.

I have had the same condition for some years and was also prescribed Omazaprole gastro resistant tablets. Sometimes they work other times they don't so I take Gavistan I get anxious about it it too. But I have learnt to live with it watching what I eat not eating greasy foods and not drinking piping hot tea or coffee. I have struggled to eat bread for a few years as it feels stuck in my chest. But just recently found I can eat a small piece of sourdough bread toasted with out bad effects.
Some very good advice here I hope you feel better knowing others have the same condition. A problem shared as they say ?

Always worth speaking to your Doc about things like this I think CafeAuLait. It’s the only way to stop those niggling worries. Good Luck.

Get yourself tested for Helicobacter Pylori. My GP was prescribing for stomach acid/reflux but by coincidence my dentist prescribed antibiotics for a dental abscess. After 2 years of agony, suddenly my pain ceased. I can only think I had untested Helicobacter Pylori.
It's a simple test & resolved with anti biotics. Look it up.

Redhead, yes, it does help. While I'm sorry other people have this, it's good to know I'm not alone.

Puzzler, I will in time. Immediate flare up has settled now so in good time.

Nongran, I had thought of that but read that you had to be off PPI for two weeks. At that time I'd just taken some. I can get that ordered independently without having to see a doctor, so I think I'll do that.

I have to take an Omazaprol tablet before my back pain tablets. I presume to protect my stomach from the pain killer? This only happens quite infrequently. Can someone tell me what is the problem with Omazaprol tablets, please?

I have gastritis and a hiatus hernia , but not badly . I find doing a form of yoga /diaphragmatic breathing while sitting up straight helps . I saw this advice years ago on tv

Helicobacter is well worth checking for.
Without wanting to play into health worries I wondered if it might be worth you considering getting one of those Fitbits with a heart monitor? It could help put your mind at rest? Just a thought.

Aveline - I have one of those and it is reassuring. I have a very good resting heart rate at least. That's a good idea for anyone wanting some reassurance, definitely.

aggie - I've just recently heard of diaphragmatic breathing for GERD. I am trained in how to do it, so I should start doing it for myself. Good thought.

DanniRae - I'm not familar with that particular medication. My main concern with PPIs long term are the potential for rebound if I try to come off it and side effects. I personally aren't concerned about occasional use.

I had no idea so many people experience this.

DannieRae I was on PPIs for about 4 years and wasn't happy about it, as prolonged use can cause vitamin B12 deficiencies. I decided to wean myself off them and see if I could handle my reflux in other ways. Once off them, the reflux disappeared! I think my reflux was stress related and once I retired (from what at that time was quite a stressful job) and was no longer stressed I think that helped to stop the reflux. If I now occasionally get reflux I just take Gaviscon, which seems to sort it out.

CafeAuLait if you keep having these reflux bouts, I think you really should have an endoscopy; when I first complained of reflux, I had one and have had a couple since. As others have mentioned, it might not be reflux, but an haitus hernia or h pylori, it really does need investigating. Take care.