Hi everyone. My name is Ben, and I’m a 27-year-old male. I experience daily chest pains that can last for seconds, minutes, hours, or persist throughout the day. Sometimes, they start as soon as I wake up and almost always occur after eating. The pain is usually sharp and localized to one small area, often on the front left side of my chest, but it can also happen on the front right, in the middle, or on the sides under my arms. I’ve undergone three EKGs, two chest X-rays, an echo, and a stress echo, all of which returned negative for heart disease. Additionally, I experience palpitations that feel like my heart is pounding when I lie flat, creating a throbbing sensation in my chest, back, and abdomen. This can occur after eating as well. During these palpitations, I often feel pressure in my upper chest and neck. When these symptoms began last summer, I was experiencing tachycardia with my heart rate resting between 100-120 bpm. My primary doctor prescribed propranolol to address the chest pains, palpitations, and tachycardia, and my heart rate is now 60-70 bpm at rest, but I’m still having chest pains and palpitations.
I’m also dealing with tightness, soreness, and pain in my throat and jaw, like something is lodged in my throat. This discomfort worsens when I lie down or sit up and apply pressure to my upper back, sides, or chest, making me cough and creating a sensation of not being able to breathe fully, although my breathing is fine. It feels like pressure is building in my chest, affecting my throat and upper back between my shoulder blades and at the base of my neck. Neither allergy medication nor my rescue inhaler provides relief.
Additionally, I experience daily acid reflux and indigestion, with regurgitation occurring 2-3 times a week, which has intensified over the past two weeks. I was taking Prilosec OTC for about a year before my GI doctor switched me to prescription Prilosec for three months, then to ranitidine for another three months, and back to Prilosec again for three months. I have an upcoming appointment with her, and she plans to prescribe one more round of ranitidine for three months. An upper endoscopy I had last November revealed a hiatal hernia, and a barium swallow confirmed reflux, indigestion, regurgitation, and the hernia. After the next round of ranitidine, my GI doctor said we would discuss surgery for the hernia repair if my symptoms don’t improve. Unfortunately, the Prilosec isn’t as effective as it used to be. I’ve eliminated all trigger foods from my diet—no citrus, chocolate, caffeine, tomatoes, pineapple, spicy or fried foods, garlic, bananas, alcohol, etc. I’ve also reduced sugar and carbs, opting for smaller meals throughout the day. I experience nausea every day, often after eating, along with stomach cramps and pains.
Despite getting a full night’s sleep, I feel constantly fatigued. I’ve also been experiencing headaches and upper back pain between my shoulder blades. Overall, I’m just not feeling well, especially when all these symptoms flare up together. It can be challenging to function some days, and I often feel miserable. My primary doctor mentioned that my hiatal hernia is likely irritating my vagus nerve, which regulates heart rate and digestion, among other functions, which explains a lot. I sometimes feel panicked, particularly during episodes of chest and abdominal pain, even though it’s unlikely to be related to my heart or a life-threatening condition.
Has anyone else experienced severe symptoms from a hiatal hernia? Do you have any remedies for relief? Has anyone undergone a Nissen fundoplication or the LINX procedure? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.
