Dear Alice--I have been going to doctors for two weeks now and no one can find out what's wrong with me. Can you please help me? About two weeks ago, I started to have a terrible burning in my upper chest. (the area about my breasts and below my neck) The pain was also in my left arm and back. Obviously, I though I was having a heart attack and went to the emergency room of my local hospital. After 5 hours of tests, they said my heart was fine and that this pain could be due to digestive problems. I then consulted a digestion specialist. He did some tests and said I had a large amount of acid in my stomach and when I lay down, which is when I have the most pain, the acid goes up into my esophagus and causes burning. This still did not explain the pain in my arm and back. He said it could also be caused by the acid back-up. He prescribed a medication called Prilosec. He said this was a very strong drug and should work quickly to relieve my pain.
Well it's been 10 days since I started taking the drug and no relief in sight. I can hardly sleep because after about 40 minutes, I am awakened by this pain and can only relieve it by sitting up for about an hour. But as I am writing this letter to you, this burning pain is in my back and my left hand is getting numb. Please help. I don't know what to do and I'm afraid it's serious.
Dear concerned,
What are you waiting for? The moon to turn blue? Alice is not a doctor! Go back to the physician who prescribed the medication for you and let him/her know that it's not working. If you are unhappy with his/her diagnosis or care, seek out a second opinion. Your pain sounds great, and your health is of utmost importance. Don't wait any longer!
- Alice
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Burning chest pain?
