What should I do if I have unexplainable upper back and chest pain?

Question

For a week I've been having this horrible pain in my chest everytime I swallow. For 3 days the pain went to my back. So now I have both upper back and chest pain, everytime I swallow. I went to my doctor 3 times and to the Emergency Room once, but they have no solution. I tried Motrin, Mylanta, Advil, and Ibuprofen. Yet, no medicine works. Is there anything I can try or do to relieve this pain? I have not been able to eat or even drink a simple thing like water without pain.

Answer 1

Have you been vomiting?
Did you recently choke on something?
Stop the Advil/Ibuprofen (same thing) and take Mylanta at least 4 times a day (after meals and before bed). Eat 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones and try to always have something in your stomach. Thick foods may be easier to swallow (milk shakes, puddings etc.).Stay away from acidic, spicy and greasy foods.
Get a referral for a GI (gastrointestinal) specialist.

Answer 2

Have them do an ultrasound of your gallbladder, and also a CT scan. It might be your gallbladder. It can cause back pain terrible and forget eating or drinking.. It can be very painful.

Also, use a heating pad on high for as long as you can stand it. but DO insist on them doing further tests.

Don't give up until you get an answer.. Pain is there for a reason, and something is wrong. I suffered for years with same thing, turned out to be my gallbladder...And I went to so many Dr's it wasn't funny!

I hope you feel better very soon!!!

Answer 3

Geez.

Well, I think you want to eliminate the "noise". Don't take so many kinds of drugs. Try one thing at a time.

If doctor does not know, thats a bit scary but I know a few people with problems doctors don't know about. Does your doctor not test you?

According to book the back doctor, sometimes sleep helps.

Chest pain is worrysome. I know some pain might be due to problems like posture etc. Its really worrisome they don't know CAUSE. Instead of emergency did you try family doctor or speciallist?

Some of alternate things worked for some people:
1) physiotherapy
2) acupuncture. Note treats pain but I don't know about root cause.
3) cyropractor
4) massage.
5) alexander technique if your problems due to "use" (bad posture, they way you move)

According to book, back doctor, alot of times sleep helps because the body heats itsef

Good luck. Try to keep things controlled but start at family doctor first rather than emergency guy. (The other guys more worried about short term)

Answer 4

This doesn't sound good. If your doctor and ER just looked at you and came to that conclusion it is wrong. Was your doctor a specialist, like a cardiologist? Anyway, find a specialist and/or recommend a cat scan be performed. Please try another doctor, or go visit a clinic (like Loma Linda) where they can do some comprehensive tests on you. I'm so sorry you have to suffer.

Answer 5

Are you coughing also? If so maybe you have pneumonia. Everytime I've had it I've had chest and back pain because of the pressure on my lungs. I've also had no fever and no other flu like symptoms except a cough. Have you had a chest xray done?

Answer 6

you need to keep trying. ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist. something is not right. what testing have they done? your doctor should be working with you for pain controll and oral intake. You need to maintain fluids and calories to get back to health. My heart goes out to you, medicine is more art than science and sometimes it takes vigilance and time to get the correct diagnosis. Keep at it.

Answer 7

did your doctor rule out heart burn? did they do x-rays in the ER? chest pain is a very serios thing and needs to be checked out. do you have any anxiety atacks?

Answer 8

Better try another doctor and suggest some x-rays..good luck

Answer 9

you could try a Chiropractor or a cardiologist
that might help.