Okay- lets see if I can get this all down. My stomach is killing me and I can't figure it out. I have always had lower GI problems, diarrhea, etc and thought I probably had IBS. This summer I started adding upper GI problems to the list and nothing seems to be helping them.

I have tried three different kinds of proton pump inhibitors, which help but it's not enough. I am constantly having acid reflux pain, bad taste in throat, nausea, "thick" throat feeling, hunger pains, etc. If i don't take the ppi then i'm just 24/7 nauseated and in pain.

The thing that freaks me out is it feels like there is "something" in my chest. Sometimes it feels like a tap of hot water was turned on and it radiates out of my chest into my arms. Other times it just feels like a fist or rock in my chest, right between and under my breasts.

first i was told it was an ulcer. i tested for H. Pylori and the test was negative. I checked for celiacs - don't have it. I have a few gall stones and will learn more about that when I talk to the gastro doc next week- but the pain that comes with that is nothing really like what i am experiencing and they didn't find anything in my blood test for that.

right now i'm dropping weight like mad- lost 45 lbs since October and haven't even been trying. i'm down to eating breads, potatoes, and well not much else. i feel awful every single day now. i sleep on the couch a few times a week because the acid pain keeps me awake, makes me restless, etc. I cannot lay on my left side which is weird because everything I've read says left side is supposed to help.

anyone experience anything like this? i'm at a loss. i know i'll probably need an endoscopy and maybe a colonoscopy too- but I'm only 30 and I really want to have tried everything before it comes to that or to gallbladder surgery that I may not even need. anybody??

Lizziep,
I am by no means a healthcare professional but this popped into my mind:

(www.merckmanuals.com)
Esophageal Diverticula

An esophageal diverticulum is an outpouching of mucosa through the muscular layer of the esophagus. It can be asymptomatic or cause dysphagia and regurgitation. Diagnosis is made by barium swallow; surgical repair is rarely required.

Esophageal Diverticula

There are several types of esophageal diverticula, each of different origin.

Zenker's (pharyngeal) diverticula are posterior outpouchings of mucosa and submucosa through the cricopharyngeal muscle, probably resulting from an incoordination between pharyngeal propulsion and cricopharyngeal relaxation.
Midesophageal (traction) diverticula are caused by traction from mediastinal inflammatory lesions or, secondarily, by motility disorders.
Epiphrenic diverticula occur just above the diaphragm and usually accompany a motility disorder (achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm).

Zenker's Diverticulum


Traction Diverticulum

Symptoms and Signs
A Zenker's diverticulum fills with food that might be regurgitated when the patient bends or lies down. Aspiration pneumonitis may result if regurgitation is nocturnal. Rarely, the pouch becomes large, causing dysphagia and sometimes a palpable neck mass.

Traction and epiphrenic diverticula are rarely symptomatic, although their underlying cause may be.

Diagnosis
All diverticula are diagnosed by videotaped barium swallow.

Treatment
Usually none
Sometimes surgical resection
Specific treatment is usually not required, although resection is occasionally necessary for large or symptomatic diverticula. Diverticula associated with motility disorders require treatment of the primary disorder. For example, case reports suggest doing a cricopharyngeal myotomy when resecting a Zenker's diverticulum.

interesting never even heard of this one- time to do some research. thanks!

definitely not looking for medical advice- just to see if anyone has gone through this... how long do diagnostics usually take for stuff like this? i am so scared of the scopes but i think they're probably going to be necessary.

The only person I knew that had this was my grandfather. I remember it was very uncomfortable for him, but at 86 years old, they weren't going to do anything drastic to correct it.

Whatever you do, be persistent with your doctors. You know if something "just ain't right." Hope you feel better soon!