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What Causes Indigestion Along With Heaviness In Chest?

Posted on Thu, 27 Nov 2014

Question: Hi for the past three months i have been feeling very off. It all started with Heart palpitations 3 and half month ago due to heavy drinking for 3 weeks in a row and also did cocaine and MDMA on one occasion(first and last time drug use). After that one month followed with high BP. I went to the hospital 3 times and had 5 ECG's on different times, blood test and a stress test, Holt monitor which all came normal.

After 1 month passed my BP seemed to be normal again but since that im having indigestion problems. I Feel heavy in the chest, bloated all the time, belching and burping all the time, Gnawing chest pains which goes into my back as well. I have been taking Tectra (pantoprazole magnesium) daily which helped me but still feel like crap on most days. I also started taking Probiotic yogurt which has helped me a little as well.

What could this be? Just concerned that my heavy alcohol and drug use at the same time hasnt really messed me up.

Also want to let you kno i have stopped drinking and obviously no drugs. I have dropped 30 lbs in the last 3 and half months

I did have high cholesterol and high liver Enzymes but both are normal now

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

You are having gastroesophageal reflux and dyspeptic symptoms.
You can continue taking Pantoprazole for a period of 8-12 weeks.
In addition you need to do the following -
1. Avoid alcohol/smoking
2. Avoid coffee, citrus, chocolates, fatty food, tomatoes
3. Avoid eating full stomach. Eat multiple smaller meals instead
4. Avoid bedtime snacks and go to bed at least 2-3 hours

The bloating you have could be due to alcoholic gastropathy or delayed gastric emptying or due to small bowel infection. Continue taking probiotics. Check your blood glucose levels to rule out diabetes.

If the 30 lbs drop in three and half months is unintentional, then it is a thing to worry about and need further evaluation.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (18 hours later)

Hi i have lost the weight because its hard to eat as much and i have cut out fatty foods, alcohol, caffine and even wheat. Do you think its normal to lose weight in this case.

Also do you think my early symptoms like high blood pressure and heart palpitations is connected.

my main concern is that do you think because of the heavy alcohol use and one time drug use, i triggered something or really messed something up because everything started after that.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since you have restricted your food intake, weight loss can be attributed to it and it can be considered normal.

Yes your early symptoms of high BP and palpitation were interrelated. But since you no longer have palpitation and your BP is normal now, there is no need to worry.

Yes it can be attributed to you alcohol and drug use.
But again I tell you that since your cardiac evaluation is normal and you no longer have high BP and palpitations, there is no need to worry.

All you have is GI issues and you can follow the advise I have given you in my previous post.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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