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Is The Chest Discomfort Goes Up Into My Neck And Jaw Related To Eating?

Posted on Fri, 29 Sep 2023

Question: A couple of months ago I started having horrible heart burn and pressure that woke me up at night and had me rolling on the floor. I was on an island at the time and could not get to a doctor. It came and went for days. I went to the doctor when I got home who ordered an ultrasound of my gallbladder. Ultrasound came back clear. I have since given up all fat and spicy foods. I do not have heartburn anymore, but now my chest is hurting, well not hurting exactly, but I am constantly aware of a discomfort and pressure and an overall “weird” feeling in my chest on the left side. Sometimes it feels as though bubbles are going through my heart or my heart is “wet” on the outside. The discomfort goes up into my neck and jaw. I am sometimes lightheaded and feel out of breath. This current discomfort has lasted for two days. Should I go to the ER?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Your symptoms do not seem to be related to the heart.

Anyway, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values and heart rate values. Is the chest discomfort related to eating? Is it triggered by deep breathing or body movements. Gastroesophaeal reflux may mimic this clinical scenario. I would also like to know your age and past medical history.

For this reason, I would recommend trying first an antiacid or PPI (omeprazole, pantoprazole). If it helps improve your situation, you should consider gastro-esophageal reflux as a possible cause underlying your complaints. In such case a fibrogastroscopy may be needed.

If your complaints persist despite taking an antiacid, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and some tests:

- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- a chest X ray study
- complete blood count, PCR, ESR for inflammation.

Thanks

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information!

Coming to this point, I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and some tests to investigate for the possible causes underlying your complaints:

- complete blood count for anemia
- a chest X ray study
- PCR, ESR for inflammation
- a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes
- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalances
- kidney and liver function tests.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.

In the meantime, I recommend taking plenty of water and closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure values.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 minute later)

Antacids do not help. I am 43 years old. The only medication I take is hormone replacement therapy to help with the symptoms of early menopause. I have also just started having the feeling that someone is putting their hands over my ears and getting very tired just walking to the kitchen for water.