Health Issue

[bogeyorbetter]

hey guys, just wondering if anybody has ever had something similar happen. note that I do have an appointment with my family doctor for early next week.

So for the last two weeks or so, I have felt a constant 'pit' feeling, a dull annoyance in my lower abdomen and shortness of breath. Occassionally throughout the day I will always have episodes where I become extremely bloated and gassy. One time I experienced very minor chest pain.

On wednesday the dull pain and shortness of breath kept me up throughout the night, waking up every 2 hours or so. I went to the hospital, they did blood work, performed a chest xray, and did a urinalysis. The emergency doctor thinks it is either 1. very bad anxiety or 2. acid reflux.

I'm just curious if anybody has ever had these same symptoms and what ended up being the root cause. I know you arent all medical professionals, just wondering of anybody has ever experienced this. Could it be something more serious? Or is acid reflux the likely culprit? (he gave me a 30mg antacid to take daily, it seems to help but only in a minor fashion.

Thanks,

Ryan

[4wedges]

Re: Health Issue

I've had acid reflux for almost 15 years - not constantly, it comes back when I get stressed and/or stop eating properly. Some of those symptoms are similar to what I feel. I usually trace things back to diet, sleep, relaxation & exercise.

[MannyR]

Re: Health Issue

Not being critical, but why on earth are you seeking medical advice from anyone on TGN?
Go to your scheduled appointment with your GP.

[caddishack]

Re: Health Issue

Not being critical, but why on earth are you seeking medical advice from anyone on TGN?
Go to your scheduled appointment with your GP.

he states he has an appointment next week.

[hannah]

Re: Health Issue

Not being critical, but why on earth are you seeking medical advice from anyone on TGN?
Go to your scheduled appointment with your GP.

+2, the last thing I want to hear are some opinions what's wrong with me then worry all week because I read something that scared me, go to the Dr's next week and don't look for arm chair medical opinions, they won't do nothing but scare you...

[bogeyorbetter]

Re: Health Issue

Obviously concerned while waiting for his appointment and looking for some comfort and possible compassion from others who have had similar pains etc.

hit the nail on the head

[Pimento Cheese]

Re: Health Issue

Anxiety, gas, and reflux can be a nasty cycle with each element feeding the other. Anxiety can cause reflux or gas, and vice versa. When I was younger I went about eight years where I was in emergency rooms every month or two, certain I was having a heart attack. When I finally realised it was an anxiety disorder, the problems became manageable.

I didn't get that feeling in the abdomen very often, but the description is familiar. It's something I had checked out once.

It's a chicken and egg thing. You can never know whether the anxiety stemmed from gas and reflux, or if you had an anxiety issue that manifested itself in physical symptoms. But you've got doctors looking at the physical symptoms, and if there's something that can be treated they'll find it.

There are three possible outcomes to the investigation: 1. They find nothing. 2. They find something they can treat. 3. They find something serious. 3 is a remote possibility, especially when an emerge doctor has only been able to suggest what yours did. 1 is the best outcome, even though it will leave you with questions and lingering anxiety over "not knowing." If that's what happens, all I can tell you is to note what sort of things you feel when you have anxiety, and over time you'll start to recognise anxiety symptoms for what they are, and life will be a lot easier.

[MannyR]

Re: Health Issue

Obviously concerned while waiting for his appointment and looking for some comfort and possible compassion from others who have had similar pains etc.

I understand that however this is a public forum and he is asking for what the root cause may have been from others with similar symptoms.

[MannyR]

Re: Health Issue

hit the nail on the head

Speak to family and friends. Not public sites like TGN.

[bogeyorbetter]

Re: Health Issue

Speak to family and friends. Not public sites like TGN.

I have a small family, TGN is a large community. Chances are.somebody here has experienced something eerily similar and can relate. Not looking for a "diagnosis" per say, but trying to get piece of mind by finding out if this is somewhat common health issue.

[Pimento Cheese]

Re: Health Issue

+2, the last thing I want to hear are some opinions what's wrong with me then worry all week because I read something that scared me, go to the Dr's next week and don't look for arm chair medical opinions, they won't do nothing but scare you...

The alternatives are:

1. sit there with no idea what's going on while the problem gets worse. I can assure you that someone who is having gas/bloating and possible reflux, and who is waiting for a diagnosis, is going to feel those symptoms more acutely as they sit around with uncertainty and worry.

2. Google symptoms. Whatever your symptoms are, you are guaranteed to find things that will kill you. This doom and gloom is unlikely to make a person feel better.

It's clear the OP is looking for similar experiences, not medical advice. He undoubtedly is hoping to be reassured. This is, at worst, harmless. At best, it makes him feel a bit better. It was made clear that he is seeing doctors about this.

[Weirfan]

Re: Health Issue

While wsiting for you appr with family doc, perhaps Go to a walk in clinic and ask a doc to ensure its nothing too serious.

[MannyR]

Re: Health Issue

I have a small family, TGN is a large community. Chances are.somebody here has experienced something eerily similar and can relate. Not looking for a "diagnosis" per say, but trying to get piece of mind by finding out if this is somewhat common health issue.

Ryan, I respect your desire to get more information and hopefully you find some temporary peace of mind but in the end it's irrelevant.

You have a scheduled appointment with your family doctor...that's the best thing you can do.

[Pimento Cheese]

Re: Health Issue

Ryan, I respect your desire to get more information and hopefully you find some temporary peace of mind but in the end it's irrelevant.

As a longtime sufferer of anxiety and reflux, I assure you that the "temporary peace of mind" is not irrelevant.

[bogeyorbetter]

Re: Health Issue

Thanks for the input thus far, gents.