Severe chest ,jaw and throat pain

[petergabriel65]

I am having severe pain in the center of my chest followed by throat and jaw pain. Normally lasts about 15 min. Has happened approx 8 times in the last 5 days.

[TheTod]

Did you ever get an accurate answer for this? I've been getting the same symptoms over the past year and a half. No hiatal hernia no (Obvious) cardiac problems. ECG Normal. But I've sustained multiple chest and abdominal injuries in the past. Ruptured Diaphragm, bilateral hemopneumothorax, Fractured Spine , Ruptured Duodenum, Torn Mesenteric vessels, Ruptured Liver/Pancreas/Bileduct, Multiple Small and large intestine ruptures. Completely Avulsed R kidney. So I know what severe pain is, and this pain is up there. Makes you feel very near death. End up almost in a state of shock (Ghostly white) no position can alleviate the intensity of the pain. I end up face down on the floor. Can occur at anytime. But mostly whilst inactive sitting, or slouching slightly. Hospital put it down to ''Possible Epigastric'' and sent me on my way. I'll note mine has not only occurred with the chest and Jaw pain, but can radiate to my upper thoracic spine. Where it turns out I have a large Hemangioma in one of my vertebrae. I also suffer from random sharp knife like stabbing pain around my heart and lungs both sides. I've considered the possibility of Angina, Pleurisy, Peritonitis, Pericarditis or Pancreatitis. Doctors usually assume the most common problem is the most likely one, however with my myriad of complications it's not that simple. I find myself being put in the ''Too hard basket''. Very frustrating and concerning at the same time. Any replies tests or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[TheTod]

P.s My Jaw pain appears under my rear lower Molars. More recently I've been light headed and suffering from some dizziness or odd feeling of light headedness and cramps in my hands and feet (Mainly the arches). I've often wondered for years if I suffer from Peripheral artery disease, but all my blood tests come back with nothing. It seems now as if i'm suffering some form of circulatory problem. ie the cramps. I'm only 34 but from my injuries sustained 17 yrs ago, thus far have only given me high BP. chronic fatigue and pain.

[ineedhelp39]

I also suffer with this pain in my chest and my jaw, teeth, and throat hurt. It feels like Im going to die. This last time lasted 15 minutes which is longest ever. I am afraid I will die this waybecause of how severe itfeels. Then it just goes away. I had congestive heart failure in past which I just had shortness of breath and retained fluid around my heart. I also have sarcoid of lungs and 3 very large hernias. So  I am lost at what this could be.

[sososick36]

The doctors cant find nothing wrong with me. I definitely have the huge chest pain fallowed by the throat and jaw pain. Just earlier I had an extreme dizzy spell. I almost cried out because the earth suddenly tilted before my eyes fallowed with nausea. I cant understand any of it. Im 36  and it seems to only happen in evening or at night.. Im afraid because that dizzy part was my first time. I still feel a little like Im see sick.

[ed34]

I was very lucky mine was noticed during angioplasty, because I doubt it would ever have been diagnosed correctly. Palpitations were very obvious which is common with spasms as the blood feeding the cells which conduct the heart pulse are cut off regularly from a blood supply. It felt like I was skipping many beats which causes dizziness. Nitro did absolutely nothing to alter my spasms, all it did was give me a throbbing headache for 24 hours. The cure for me was three weeks of high dosage calcium channel blockers. Every time I was near a Doctor or in a hospital, the symptoms never seemed to appear. Since taking the CCB for 3 weeks, that was 2009, I have never suffered them since (touching wood). The thing about esophagitis which surprised me the most was how the pain wasn't associated with eating at all. Whether I ate something or not, the pains would start. Of course there is one quick test, which is to take anti-acid medication available over the counter. Two teaspoons of Gaviscon and the pains would leave after a couple of minutes not to return for the rest of the day. Also using an extra pillow at night helped a lot.

[achillea]

Actually, the location and timing of Prinzmetal's pain varies from patient to patient, but pain or tightness in the chest is first and characteristic.  It may radiate to other parts of the body, as mentioned in this description from cardiac health dotorg (if the medhelp censor permits the reference):

"Symptoms of Prinzmetal’s angina:

Located under the chest bone
Described as squeezing, constricting, tightness, pressure, or crushing, which is usually severe and may radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or arm
Often occurs at rest
May occur at the same time each day, usually between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 AM
Lasts from 5 to 30 minutes
Relieved by nitroglycerin
Can cause fainting or loss of consciousness "

As noted, there can be confusion about what's going on, and because of that, doctors can and do miss this fairly rare condition--but the possibility should be borne in mind.

[TheTod]

Is there a particular test one can undergo to check for this?

[ed34]

This is what I mean by 'classic' when confusion creeps in. This is the type of condition so often misdiagnosed and of course, if it turns out to be vasospasm, catching it in action is another problem. This is obviously required for an accurate diagnosis.

[ed34]

Yes but throat/jaw discomfort is the early warning sign before chest pain, which is why I've always known to relax and let my heart slow down before vasospasm and stable angina. This is what made me feel more toward gastric because the acid obviously starts in the stomach and works its way upward. I had esophagitis last year and I couldn't tell the difference apart from the longer length of pain (15-20 mins instead of 2) and the sequence of discomfort. It started with what felt like chest pains and it was as bad as a heart attack.

[achillea]

Unlike classic angina pectoris, which occurs *with* exertion, Prinzmetal's Angina (also called Variant Angiana) occurs almost exclusively at rest and/or between midnight and morning.  It is the result of coronary artery spasm.  The pain is severe, and in the distribution described by the OP.  

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have both cardiac and Gastric problems and agree with ED that if this happens during rest, it is Gastric/ENT related.  You could have a Hiatus Hernia and should get this checked out through your GP and get referral to Gastro Ent on GP's request.

[achillea]

Do these symptoms happen when you are exerting yourself, or when you are at rest?  Any particular time of the day, or during the night?

[ed34]

Well, this is often very confusing even for Doctors. However, the way you describe it, it sounds more like gastric issues. If it was the heart, it would start when you exert yourself and hit you suddenly like a ton of bricks. You would relax and it would go away in less than 2 mins. Gastric issues tend to last anywhere from 10 mins to hours at a time and can happen at any time, even when sitting or laying down. Usually, but not always, the discomfort is relieved a substantial amount by standing and walking around. You will hopefully burp and feel better. I would recommend seeing a Doctor and being medicated to lower your acid production for a while because acid above the stomach area can cause damage to tissue.