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Suggest Treatment For Severe Heartburn, Fever And Cough
Question: Wow, I just typed it completely out but forgot my password. Dang. OK, again: On Tuesday AM, I woke up with felt like heartburn, experienced difficulty drinking and eating, the front of my neck hurt and I was tired. Might have had a slight fever. I'm 65, never get sick, don't have heartburn ever, and do not have my tonsils.That night I took 2 Tums, with some minor relief. Wednesday and Thursday, there is not the heartburn pain, but difficulty swallowing food, particularly hot, and have a strange cough (infrequent but mild pain when I do). Also when I touch the muscle or gland that feels like my asophogus (sp?), in that recess before the break in your collarbone, it is painful to the touch. Also when it started on Tuesday, the "heartburn" pain was in the center of my chest (between my breasts) and went, in a straight line, to my back. Asked for a brief massage for relief. Any ideas? Do I need to see a doctor or how long should I wait until I do?
Brief Answer:
Gastro-esophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Your description sounds like acid reflux. Most likely acid is coming up your esophagus into your throat.
I recommend trying Zantac 150 mg twice a day. Since this just started a few days ago, you may only need to take it for a couple of weeks.
Zantac reduces acid production by approximately 70 percent, which will allow your esophagus to heal.
Once you start the Zantac, discontinue the Tums.
Other things to do right now: no mint, especially peppermint, as this can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing reflux. Avoid citrus and tomatoes (because of the acid), and spicy foods. Limit caffeine (coffee, soda) and chocolate.
Don't eat within a couple of hours before going to bed.
You can get blocks for under the head of the bed posts to raise the head of the bed. Using more pillows may not help as it can bend you at the waist, increasing abdominal pressure that can cause your stomach to reflux more easily. Some pharmacies carry these blocks.
Eat smaller amounts at a time, as a full stomach has more pressure with which to reflux into the esophagus.
Now if these things don't help, then go in to see a doctor who will likely prescribe a strong proton pump inhibitor. But you might start to see some relief, even if not complete, in the next day on the Zantac. Zantac is a safe drug that has been around a long time with few side effects. PPIs are more likely to have side effects and risks, and rebound symptoms when discontinued, so if the Zantac works for you, you are better off.
Sometimes gastric irritation and and gastroesophogeal reflux can come out of the blue - from something you ate or sometimes after a stomach bug.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Gastro-esophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Your description sounds like acid reflux. Most likely acid is coming up your esophagus into your throat.
I recommend trying Zantac 150 mg twice a day. Since this just started a few days ago, you may only need to take it for a couple of weeks.
Zantac reduces acid production by approximately 70 percent, which will allow your esophagus to heal.
Once you start the Zantac, discontinue the Tums.
Other things to do right now: no mint, especially peppermint, as this can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing reflux. Avoid citrus and tomatoes (because of the acid), and spicy foods. Limit caffeine (coffee, soda) and chocolate.
Don't eat within a couple of hours before going to bed.
You can get blocks for under the head of the bed posts to raise the head of the bed. Using more pillows may not help as it can bend you at the waist, increasing abdominal pressure that can cause your stomach to reflux more easily. Some pharmacies carry these blocks.
Eat smaller amounts at a time, as a full stomach has more pressure with which to reflux into the esophagus.
Now if these things don't help, then go in to see a doctor who will likely prescribe a strong proton pump inhibitor. But you might start to see some relief, even if not complete, in the next day on the Zantac. Zantac is a safe drug that has been around a long time with few side effects. PPIs are more likely to have side effects and risks, and rebound symptoms when discontinued, so if the Zantac works for you, you are better off.
Sometimes gastric irritation and and gastroesophogeal reflux can come out of the blue - from something you ate or sometimes after a stomach bug.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Bonnie! My husband has acid reflux so it was a consideration. Just thought the pain in touching my esophagus was different. But I will try the Zantac and see how I do. I still have nearly three days to work with you on this question, so I'll close the discussion tomorrow or Saturday if I feel better. Thanks again! - L
Brief Answer:
ok
Detailed Answer:
Ok, hopefully you will be feeling better soon. Let me know how you are doing after trying these things.
Bonnie
ok
Detailed Answer:
Ok, hopefully you will be feeling better soon. Let me know how you are doing after trying these things.
Bonnie
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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