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Chest pain

LucyT
  • By LucyT
  • Posted October 5, 2009 at 3:12 pm · 19 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

Last night I went to the sleep lab at the hospital for a sleep study. It was the 2nd one, and I was trying out a CPAP mask for sleep apnea. I woke up 3 times with stabbing chest pain "left of center" (what I call it)-just left of my heart. I didn't say anything till the 3rd time, because 1) I knew it wasn't cardiac and because 2) it wasn't entirely new. I've had to deal with this before, and have been told that it's 1) not cardiac and 2) it's probably esaphogeal spasm.

Well, needless to say, the rest of the sleep study was cancelled (at about 4 am), and and doctor from the ED was called, and I was taken to the Emergency Dept, where, after testing, I was told: It's not cardiac.
Great....I knew that.

But, it was the most painful spasms I've had, enough to make me almost jump out of bed, which isn't good when you have wires attached to your head, eyes, chin, chest, and legs, which are all connected to a thing on the wall (I actually pulled it out of the wall once). Oh, and don't forget the goop they put in your scalp to attach the golden electrodes to your head so the doctor can read your brain to tell you that you were actually sleeping.

So, I called my GI doc office to talk about this chest pain. The PA agrees, it's most likely e. spasm. Or heartburn. ??? He knows now that the GP is active again, and that everything bothers me.

New medicine he wants me to try is Carafate (liquid). I'm leary about trying another medicine-I seem to be pretty sensitive to side effects. I'll see him next week after I've tried the med for a week.

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

MiraLax Surgery Dementia Prevacid Peptic ulcer Carafate Hernia Costochondritis Hiatal hernia Stress Asthma Advil Sleep apnea CPAP Pain Heartburn

19 replies

my4heathens

Never tried the liquid, but the pills-on top of being nasty-did squat for me. Apparently they are working somewhat for my mom (peptic ulcer).

busyteacher

So you gained information about GP from your sleep study? What do you have to do to gain information about sleep? This seems rather tricky for you. I have a REM sleep disorder. I just take klonipin, and life is good. REM disorders are linked to early onset dementia, and klonipin is the recommended treatment. I did not have to go through a sleep study, as I was able to document my sleep patterns pretty thoroughly. And I've had the same doctor forever.

LucyT

teach,
Actually, the reason I wanted the sleep study had nothing to do with the GP-I wanted it because I had many headaches and read that sleep apnea might be the cause. First study was about a month ago, and during REM I average about 70 times (a minute?) that I stop breathing (apnea), and during non-REM I average 23 times of apnea per minute. This appt was to fit me for a CPAP to open my airway so I won't stop breathing during sleep, which might cure me of some of the headaches, give me more energy during the day, and prevent me from getting many sleep related disorders.

Oh, by the way "teach", it was done at a 'sleep lab'. We have one at the hospital I work at.

I have been having this chest pain (esophogeal spasms) all afternoon and evening, but certainly not as bad as I had at 4 am this morning and 2 other times before that last night. I have taken Bentyl twice, and it hasn't done a thing for me.

yourfriend

Have you ever tried nitroglycerin sublingual (dissolves under the tongue)? I have infrequent esophageal spasms and was given nitro with pretty good results. After a couple of days in the hospital, and an all clear on the cardiac standpoint my GI suggested the nitro thinking I had the esophageal spasms. It might be something to ask your doctor about. One warning though. It makes me have a really bad headache when I take it, but it helps the chest pain. Good luck! Karen

LucyT

friend,
I have an appt next week with my GI, and I can certainly mention it. I don't think I would want the headache though. I already have enough.
I remember asking my doc once-"the thing about these spasms is-if they feel like heart pain, but they are not, then how am I supposed to know one from the other?"
I'm going to try not to stress over it.
Thanks!

busyteacher

You can also grind up the pills and dissolve in water. Checked with doctor. Hope you find an answer!

Regi

Lucy,

I ended up in the ER for E-spasms too. Not fun. They gave me Nitro as suggested above. It did give me a headache but it didn't last. It did stop the chest pain. My Dr put me on Norpramin (an anti-depressant low dose) and that helped alot. He also told me to drink a hot cup of tea(as hot as you can tolerate) and that will stop it. I tried it and it actually worked. I only needed a few sips. I've found that stress is a big factor with these. My problem is I have asthma too and sometimes can't tell the difference. (I thought that was the problem for a really long time) My asthma Dr told me it wouldn't hurt to do my inhaler if I'm not sure.

I hope you can finally get set up with your CPAP mask and it helps you.

Take care, Regi

DigmundFreud

My chest spasms haven't stoped since I can on this site about 2 months ago., I can only sleep if I take Ambiem. It isn't as bad if my stomach is empty. REally bad after I eat. I am sorry, I understand about the jumping out of bed feeling, that is how it is for me when there is a thunderstorm. DF

LucyT

I like warm tea (not too hot-I'm such a wimp), so I'll give that a try. I'm almost afraid to go to bed tonight, because it happened again last night, and I've had pains all day.
Sure hope they got enough info at the sleep study that I don't have to go back again! Perhaps I will get the CPAP soon.

LucyT

Hi Teach,
I picked up the med today. It's Carafate, which does come in pill for, was given to me in susp. or Liquid form. Makes me nauseous. I'll give it a week or so to see if I get used to it. I talked to the pharmacist. He said that the med is to coat my esophagus and stomach to protect it from damage when I have reflux. It's actually an ulcer med.

busyteacher

This is disappointing. It sounds like a Starbucks drink. That is totally unfair.

NancyL

I used to have the spasms before my surgery. In my case if was due to a hiatal hernia. I do have sleep apnea and had the sleep study twice. Once to get to the sleep doc and another to confirm it. It was had to get used to the mask and I had a hard time until I got the one called "nose pillows". Much smaller and more comfortable. I stopped taking prescription sleeping pills after twenty years. Even with the strongest prescribed sleeping pills I was only sleeping 2 hours on a good night. Now I get 6-7 hours most of the time unless I eat the wrong thing and have stomach pain. I had headaches and migraines all the time before. They stopped completely except on the nights I don't wear the mask. When I eat solids I need to sleep on my stomach (hurts less) and the mask is not comfortable in that position especially since I am tossing and turning all night. Those mornings I wake up with a headache.

SueBee

Hi LucyT,
I didn't have luck with Carafate but like all these meds it's worth a try.
The chest pain could be from a number of things. If you haven't ruled it out yet, ask your doctor if you have Costochondritis. It causes sharp pain. Check out http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626
Taking Advil and using a heating pad helps me.
Hope today is a better day!
Susan

LucyT

Hi SueBee,
I didn't even consider Costocondritis. I have also been diagnosed with this, and I know how painful it can be.

SueBee

I had to remind myself about it too recently. Talk with your doctor and see if Advil and applying heat helps.
Take care and hope you feel better soon!

revery

My 9 yr old son has severe GP with only 17% emptying at 2 hours. His only symptom is awful "chest burn" It is probably just a flare of your GP. My son is on Miralax and prevacid. He eats very small meals with no skin on anything and no fat.

Good luck!

spiritlove

As usual we never know what's going to work for us.
I take Carafate liquid 4 times a day with no problem (could do without the taste!). Also, drink tea when I have that nasty pain.
I 've had a c-pap the last 6 years and it's a big help for me. Good luck.
spiritlove

LucyT

Hi,
I think the Carafate is doing some good. I still have some reflux, but the burn isn't as bad as it was before. My stomach feeling a bit better. Taking it day by day!

Thanks!

LucyT

Revery,
I'm so sorry to hear that your son has to go thru this at such a young age. I hope that you are finding alot of support on this site to find help and answers for this situation. It must be heartbreaking for you as his mom. Stay strong.
Sandy

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