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Suggest Remedy For Pain In Breasts And Shoulder Pain
Question: for several years I have been experiencing pain between my breasts and shoulder blades. I have had ekg's, and other tests but all they call it is GERD and Barretts esophagus. Presently I take Dexilent and it worked great for awhile like all the others I have been prescribed. Sometimes it goes away for awhile. Now it's back and I notice when I bend over it hurts to breate when I stand back up. What is wrong with me. What are they missing?
Brief Answer:
It's unlikely that they are missing something. I suggest a few tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for writing to us with your health concern.
I have gone through your details carefully and understand that you have been through a lot and since you have been suffering from the problem from quite some time, I would presume that the doctors treating would have done all the necessary investigations to label the issue as GERD and Barrett's esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus is a diagnosis made on endoscopic evaluation, and upper GIT endoscopy remains the gold standard for evaluating this condition.
During endoscopy they would have also noted the condition of lower esophageal sphincter, and if it is not mentioned in any of the reports you may have, it is advisable to get a esophageal manometry done to find if the lower esophageal sphincter is lax.
GERD and Barret's esophagus are caused by a lax lower esophageal sphincter(LES), hence until that is corrected (initially with medications such as esomeprazole and a prokinetic such as domperidone and if these drugs fail, surgical correction is indicated), the symptoms will persist and will get worse over time.
Barret's esophagus is a known risk factor for esophageal cancers (it is a precancerous condition), so a close follow up with an upper GI endoscopy every year is warranted.
Please discuss with your treating gastroenterologist about the surgical option.
I hope I have been able to provide you some insight into the problem, however, I am sure you would have come across most of it by now, I encourage you to write back to me with your queries so that I can understand what you are looking for, exactly and guide you accordingly.
I wish you all the very best and good health.
Warmest regards.
It's unlikely that they are missing something. I suggest a few tests.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for writing to us with your health concern.
I have gone through your details carefully and understand that you have been through a lot and since you have been suffering from the problem from quite some time, I would presume that the doctors treating would have done all the necessary investigations to label the issue as GERD and Barrett's esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus is a diagnosis made on endoscopic evaluation, and upper GIT endoscopy remains the gold standard for evaluating this condition.
During endoscopy they would have also noted the condition of lower esophageal sphincter, and if it is not mentioned in any of the reports you may have, it is advisable to get a esophageal manometry done to find if the lower esophageal sphincter is lax.
GERD and Barret's esophagus are caused by a lax lower esophageal sphincter(LES), hence until that is corrected (initially with medications such as esomeprazole and a prokinetic such as domperidone and if these drugs fail, surgical correction is indicated), the symptoms will persist and will get worse over time.
Barret's esophagus is a known risk factor for esophageal cancers (it is a precancerous condition), so a close follow up with an upper GI endoscopy every year is warranted.
Please discuss with your treating gastroenterologist about the surgical option.
I hope I have been able to provide you some insight into the problem, however, I am sure you would have come across most of it by now, I encourage you to write back to me with your queries so that I can understand what you are looking for, exactly and guide you accordingly.
I wish you all the very best and good health.
Warmest regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your reply. I didn't know Barrett's Esophagus had anything to do with being a risk factor for esophageal cancer. I do have the scope test every year because my father died of esophageal cancer and I can't get in to see my gastroenterologist until Dec. but I do have an appointment with him. I will copy this conversation and take it with me to the doctor appointment. Thanks again, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please do follow up with your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXXXXX
I am glad to hear that you are in fact getting the endoscopy yearly. The fact that your father had esophageal cancer, and you have Barett's esophagus makes it even more significant and you should be careful and talk to your gastroenterologist often.
I wish you all the best and good health.
Kind regards
Please do follow up with your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXXXXX
I am glad to hear that you are in fact getting the endoscopy yearly. The fact that your father had esophageal cancer, and you have Barett's esophagus makes it even more significant and you should be careful and talk to your gastroenterologist often.
I wish you all the best and good health.
Kind regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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