chest pain and hard to breathe, I need some help here

[Duke Dive Medicine]

By Barrett's disease, I assume your MD means Barrett's esophagus. This is where the lower part of the esophagus is consistently exposed to stomach acid due to a weak sphincter, and the tissue changes to become more like the lining of the stomach. It's diagnosed via endoscopy. Omeprazole/Prilosec and pantoprazole/Protonix are both proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Sometimes one PPI isn't effective but another may work, so that's why they changed you to Protonix - apparently they think that omeprazole is not doing the trick. Ranitidine is an H2 blocker - that is to supplement the PPI.

That said:

I walk 30 feet and have to stop so that I can catch my breath and breathe ok, tightness in my chest and I still have pain in both arms(it feels like my bones in my arms hurt). After I stop for 2-3 minutes I'm ok. Thats 2 minutes minimum and normally 3 minutes maximum.

These symptoms do not match those of GERD (reflux) or Barrett's esophagus. This sounds like it's right out of a textbook description for stable angina that's getting ready to be not-so-stable. From what I'm reading in your posts, I think you need a second opinion and possibly a coronary angiogram. In the mean time, I would be extremely careful about exerting myself and lay off the caffeine and cigarettes (if you smoke). Also, if I were you, I would very thoroughly explain this situation to the surgeon who's planning to operate on your shoulder. I doubt he'll want to do the surgery until your symptoms are fully explained and resolved, which I do not think they are. Most importantly: if you find that your symptoms do not resolve with rest, call 911 immediately. Do not wait.

Now, THAT said: while you're seeking your second opinion, do what your MD tells you to do and take the Protonix. He/she might make liars out of all of us. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE, and please keep us posted here because we're all going to want to know the outcome of this.

 

[retnav7696]

Thanks everyone for your input. I start taking the protonix in the morning (just got it today). I get scoped on the 18th of November and if they do not find anything I will ask to have the angiogram done. My shoulder surgery was put off till February. (Doc had an emergency). One doc thinks I could have Barrett's esophagus another thinks I could have busted blood vessels in my upper chest and the other is at a loss and will not say a word until I've been scoped. So hopefully real soon this will get figured out. I keep everyone up to date as best as I can.

 

[TSandM]

Please keep us posted. I'm worried about you.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Retnav, they may well find Barrett's esophagus when they scope you but that doesn't mean that this is the cause of your exertional chest pain. You may have two separate problems; don't let them lump every symptom you're having under that diagnosis.

 

[retnav7696]

Ok everyone, here is the latest I went to the endoscopy guy on the 18th of November. He said it is not a throat or stomach problem. He reviewed my nuc med tests and my EKG's and said my sinus rythem is not quite right! I am going to MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina on Tuesday 23NOV10 to have a heart cath done. He said they will be going in through my groin to look at my heart. He said its a lot better test than the other stuff thats been done to me so far. And if this shows nothing then he will scope me. He also said he does not think I have Barrett's esophagus. My question to him was just who in the HE_L were these other doctors that were supposed to be heart guys that said I was ok and sent me home! If I would have had a heart attack and died I would be really Pissed off! LOL As soon as this is done I will continue to post whats going on in this continuing saga. Thanks for all the posts and concern I really do appreciate it!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Retnav, thanks for the update. I was looking for it knowing that you had the scope on the 18th. Keep us posted and keep being your own advocate!

 

[Cruisin Home]

Retnav

We saw this coming. You are getting the run-around, its a popular dance practiced by many institutions but perhaps perfected by the VA. You must be a strong advocate for a diagnosis. Your symptoms are serious. Good luck.

 

[retnav7696]

Well I have had a long sit down talk with my kids so they will know what to do if something happens. I am scheduled with the heart guy on the 9th of December and the endo guy again on the 13th of Jan. If I do not get a answer to my question I plan on going to Roper St. Francis Hospital in West Ashley (Charleston, SC). They have nothing to do with the VA. I have got to get this fixed because its it wearing on me. Thanks for your input!

 

[destroyer]

Did they do a ddimer? To rule out a pulmonary emboli. Because you recently did 3 dives so you can have clots that could have dislodged and went to your lungs. A confirmatory test if you have an elevated ddimer is a pulmo angio( ct). Rupturing a blood vessel is unlikely if they released you because that would need close monitoring to see if the bleed is not progressing. I hope you get well soon so you can enjoy more dives with your daughter. Stay fit

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Retnav, did you get the cath done?