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Breathing/Back Pain/Tight Throat/Reflux/Hernia
Hi. I'm wondering if someone may have some insight on these symptoms. I have been undiagnosed for 2 months and been out of work trying to get disability. but with no diagnosis, they won't let me get on it, so I am stuck suffering with no money and need ANY help!
First signs something was wrong was when I was working. I work the preload in UPS lifting overweight boxes and scanning small packages. I had a sharp stinging knife-like pain in my mid-back. Eventually went away during the day.Couple days later, I noticed pain in my lower sides. It was hard to stand, and typically just thought of it as my Hiatal Hernia, because sometimes if my Acid Reflux disease acts up, and I turn the wrong way, I have Hiatal Hernia attacks where It's hard to stand, and I get a lot of pressure in my side and trouble breathing... but it got so persistent! I fought through it the next two weeks and while at work, one day, I started getting these cold and sharp feelings under my ribs on my left side. I would get sweaty and nauseas, and had to leave work early. Did this two days in a row until I just gave up on work telling them I can't come in. The pain got worse. I tried to do what I can but I just couldn't work. I started to realize that the pain in my side vanished, but my lower back on both sides were very painful. I also noticed a spot in my lower spine where I would touch it, and it would be very sensitive to pain. I figured I must of put too much weight on my spine standing all day and lifting 200 pound boxes and just needed to relax while the pain stops radiating, but it's been two months now! I also felt sick in my stomach somehow. It was an odd feeling. Something wasn't right, but I didn't feel sick, but there was something wrong, clearly. I went to my Gastrointestinal doctor who diagnosed my Hiatal Hernia and he poked and prodded at my gut and eventually stated that it was just the hernia. He told me to jump my Nexium to 40 instead. The burning odd feeling I had is now taken care of in my stomach, but I can't help but still feel odd inside. One day, I was at an MRI office which is what my Doctor recommended me to, and the building went on fire. I didn't even get to have my MRI. For 15 minutes I was breathing in smoke in the waiting room, and nobody realized the roof was on fire until I went outside cuz my eyes were burning and noticed the damn roof was smoking, so I went inside and told everyone to get out. It apparently was going through the AC unit inside the building. I went outside, and since then, I've had trouble breathing. It was small at first, but the next day or two, I was really struggling for air. I've been having bad breathing problems for about 2 weeks now. I went to the ER just last week and my chest x-ray came back fine, as did my Blood Oxygen Level. They said the smoke may of lightly irritated an allergy or asthma in my body, and may have some tightness for a while. I could also have small amounts of my phlegm and mucus dripping into my lungs pathway, and that it was such a small amount it can't be seen in the chest x-ray. They gave my these steroid pills to take 2 a day for 5 days and an inhaler with albuterol. I've been taking it for about 8 days now, and slowly, i HAVE noticed a difference that has been slightly better. I also noticed sharp pain in my upper back in the sides of both of my shoulder bone area, which is what I had also(much worse) during the chest x-ray. I also went to a Neurologist and he checked me all out, and said that it looks like I may have pinched, or may still be pinching a nerve in my back, and suggested a Chiropractor along with the MRI. I'm scarfed to go to the Chiropractor though without getting an MRI first. Am I okay to worry about that? I'm also nervous to get an MRI. I suffer from severe Panic Disorder, Agorophobia, and Anxiety, and once stayed inside my home for 4 years straight without ever touching my front door... and the thought of getting in an MRI machine for 30 minutes while I am already struggling to breath SCARES me to no end, and I'm trying hard to pick up the phone and make an appointment, but I can't. My question is... are these multiple issues, or are these the same issues? What's your opinion, and what should I do? Do you think my breathing issue will eventually go away by itself, or should I worry? I've been locked up in my house for 2 months now broke to the bone, and it's driving me CRAZY! I don't know how I did this for 4 straight years at one point! At least my Panic isn't nearly as bad as it was, but I am fearful the more I stay inside sick, the worse it will get, and need help ASAP! Anyone have any opinion or have any iddea what may be the issue? Is it the hernia? reflux? gastrointestinal disease? slipped disk? ANYTHING? I looked up everything and can't find answers! I guess I really just need to get in that MRI machine, but I am so filled with fear over it, it's ridiculous!! I'm just looking for support since I am very much alone in my life, and things are so hard!
First signs something was wrong was when I was working. I work the preload in UPS lifting overweight boxes and scanning small packages. I had a sharp stinging knife-like pain in my mid-back. Eventually went away during the day.Couple days later, I noticed pain in my lower sides. It was hard to stand, and typically just thought of it as my Hiatal Hernia, because sometimes if my Acid Reflux disease acts up, and I turn the wrong way, I have Hiatal Hernia attacks where It's hard to stand, and I get a lot of pressure in my side and trouble breathing... but it got so persistent! I fought through it the next two weeks and while at work, one day, I started getting these cold and sharp feelings under my ribs on my left side. I would get sweaty and nauseas, and had to leave work early. Did this two days in a row until I just gave up on work telling them I can't come in. The pain got worse. I tried to do what I can but I just couldn't work. I started to realize that the pain in my side vanished, but my lower back on both sides were very painful. I also noticed a spot in my lower spine where I would touch it, and it would be very sensitive to pain. I figured I must of put too much weight on my spine standing all day and lifting 200 pound boxes and just needed to relax while the pain stops radiating, but it's been two months now! I also felt sick in my stomach somehow. It was an odd feeling. Something wasn't right, but I didn't feel sick, but there was something wrong, clearly. I went to my Gastrointestinal doctor who diagnosed my Hiatal Hernia and he poked and prodded at my gut and eventually stated that it was just the hernia. He told me to jump my Nexium to 40 instead. The burning odd feeling I had is now taken care of in my stomach, but I can't help but still feel odd inside. One day, I was at an MRI office which is what my Doctor recommended me to, and the building went on fire. I didn't even get to have my MRI. For 15 minutes I was breathing in smoke in the waiting room, and nobody realized the roof was on fire until I went outside cuz my eyes were burning and noticed the damn roof was smoking, so I went inside and told everyone to get out. It apparently was going through the AC unit inside the building. I went outside, and since then, I've had trouble breathing. It was small at first, but the next day or two, I was really struggling for air. I've been having bad breathing problems for about 2 weeks now. I went to the ER just last week and my chest x-ray came back fine, as did my Blood Oxygen Level. They said the smoke may of lightly irritated an allergy or asthma in my body, and may have some tightness for a while. I could also have small amounts of my phlegm and mucus dripping into my lungs pathway, and that it was such a small amount it can't be seen in the chest x-ray. They gave my these steroid pills to take 2 a day for 5 days and an inhaler with albuterol. I've been taking it for about 8 days now, and slowly, i HAVE noticed a difference that has been slightly better. I also noticed sharp pain in my upper back in the sides of both of my shoulder bone area, which is what I had also(much worse) during the chest x-ray. I also went to a Neurologist and he checked me all out, and said that it looks like I may have pinched, or may still be pinching a nerve in my back, and suggested a Chiropractor along with the MRI. I'm scarfed to go to the Chiropractor though without getting an MRI first. Am I okay to worry about that? I'm also nervous to get an MRI. I suffer from severe Panic Disorder, Agorophobia, and Anxiety, and once stayed inside my home for 4 years straight without ever touching my front door... and the thought of getting in an MRI machine for 30 minutes while I am already struggling to breath SCARES me to no end, and I'm trying hard to pick up the phone and make an appointment, but I can't. My question is... are these multiple issues, or are these the same issues? What's your opinion, and what should I do? Do you think my breathing issue will eventually go away by itself, or should I worry? I've been locked up in my house for 2 months now broke to the bone, and it's driving me CRAZY! I don't know how I did this for 4 straight years at one point! At least my Panic isn't nearly as bad as it was, but I am fearful the more I stay inside sick, the worse it will get, and need help ASAP! Anyone have any opinion or have any iddea what may be the issue? Is it the hernia? reflux? gastrointestinal disease? slipped disk? ANYTHING? I looked up everything and can't find answers! I guess I really just need to get in that MRI machine, but I am so filled with fear over it, it's ridiculous!! I'm just looking for support since I am very much alone in my life, and things are so hard!
Hi,
I have just been diagnosed with Reflux via A/E.
I went to my doc's 3 days in 1 week as I was having chest pains and shooting pains in back and arms. (Yes lucky to get in - I insisted).
1st day I was given an ecg, but all was ok, I was calmer. but told just to rest
2nd day - I was told that it is panic attacks, I didnt think so as I had these before over a year ago and this didnt feel the same
3rd day - Explained I didnt feel right and that I hadnt been to work all week as I felt I couldnt function with the chest pains - and that because I felt short of breath that I was maybe panicking a littleI was given diazepam and someother anti depressants for panic attacks. although I felt something wasnt right, and had some tummy pains - My Tummy was not checked. - I hadnt eaten all week either.
On the Friday I realised that I was panicking because I had the sense of dread as the tightness came and shortness of breath - I took myself to A/E as I was annoyed at myself. I was diagnosed with Reflux and given some tablets - within 3 days i felt much better and it has now been 2 weeks on the tablets - and feel normal again and can eat!
However as of tomorrow I will be tablet free and of course am worried this may return.
My Dads brother had reflux for years, he was also a smoker, he died from Oesphgus Cancer - Frightened me a bit, but I am on top of it and will make sure I am checked out.
On top of this I suffer from headaches/migraine - I had an CAT SCAN - They found a Cyst an dmy septum was wonky! But am, off to Nuerology as he doesnt think that is giving me the pains. So I will be off for a MRI TOO, i HATE ENCLOSED SPACES, I had an MRI a few years back when I hit my head, I did breathing excercises , closed my eye and thought about something nice, I also hummed like a weirdo - good job it was all clear so I didnt have to see them again. Worked for me. Hope all goes well for you,
My lil Moto - Think positive to always beat the negative.
I was panic as though I couldnt breath
I have just been diagnosed with Reflux via A/E.
I went to my doc's 3 days in 1 week as I was having chest pains and shooting pains in back and arms. (Yes lucky to get in - I insisted).
1st day I was given an ecg, but all was ok, I was calmer. but told just to rest
2nd day - I was told that it is panic attacks, I didnt think so as I had these before over a year ago and this didnt feel the same
3rd day - Explained I didnt feel right and that I hadnt been to work all week as I felt I couldnt function with the chest pains - and that because I felt short of breath that I was maybe panicking a littleI was given diazepam and someother anti depressants for panic attacks. although I felt something wasnt right, and had some tummy pains - My Tummy was not checked. - I hadnt eaten all week either.
On the Friday I realised that I was panicking because I had the sense of dread as the tightness came and shortness of breath - I took myself to A/E as I was annoyed at myself. I was diagnosed with Reflux and given some tablets - within 3 days i felt much better and it has now been 2 weeks on the tablets - and feel normal again and can eat!
However as of tomorrow I will be tablet free and of course am worried this may return.
My Dads brother had reflux for years, he was also a smoker, he died from Oesphgus Cancer - Frightened me a bit, but I am on top of it and will make sure I am checked out.
On top of this I suffer from headaches/migraine - I had an CAT SCAN - They found a Cyst an dmy septum was wonky! But am, off to Nuerology as he doesnt think that is giving me the pains. So I will be off for a MRI TOO, i HATE ENCLOSED SPACES, I had an MRI a few years back when I hit my head, I did breathing excercises , closed my eye and thought about something nice, I also hummed like a weirdo - good job it was all clear so I didnt have to see them again. Worked for me. Hope all goes well for you,
My lil Moto - Think positive to always beat the negative.
I was panic as though I couldnt breath
I was just told last week that I have a hernia due to acid reflux and that I needed to have surgery. I just went to see the Surgeon today and he says that they want to do two tests before deciding if I am a candidate for Surgery. Is this normal. One of the test was a Ph test and I think the other one was an EGD. Are those different than an Endoscopy? He is concerned that the medicines that I take for other illenes will cause the Surgery to fail. Has anyone ever had this problem. I am so frustrated and sick of all the doctors, tests, and meds. Please help!!!
Have had many health issues through the years, so I know it's frustrating when your symptoms don't lead to an easy diagnosis. I too have a hiatal hernia, numerous back issues, lung problems (had them before a fire so can't blame the fire for it all), cardiac problems, and the list goes on and on. Never had a problem with anxiety, but still wasn't fond of the thought of the MRI. Have used the regular machine a few times, but usually just request an open MRI so I won't feel closed in. The MRI is your friend. It will either lead to a diagnosis or put your mind at ease about some of your pains. If I were you, I'd request an open MRI (but they take longer), and get medication from your doctor ahead of time to sedate you a little for the procedure.
You can do this. Look at all you've already accomplished in regards to your anxiety!
You can do this. Look at all you've already accomplished in regards to your anxiety!
Hi. I have exactly the same symptoms. I hurt my back in work eight months ago and since i have been unable to work my digestive symptoms have got a lot worse. Not only back pain but everything you describe,even the 'odd' feeling inside. I was also involved in a fire and i had problems with my breathing for a while but thats okay now. Please dont worry about the MRI scan, i had one and nearly worked myself into a frenzy beforehand. It wasnt as bad as my imagination led me to believe! At least you would have peace of mind instead of wondering, which only makes your symptoms worse. I know anxiety has a big part to play with my symptoms. I find relief in prayer and i have been studying relaxation therapies which has helped me enormously. I found out i had a hiatus hernia ten years ago, also IBS, my Mother and sister also have them. I wish you all the best, lets know how you are.
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