dVH/RALH 5 weeks post hysterectomy: weird feeling in chest

Last night I was tired and didn't take any ambien. But didn't sleep I had this weird feeling in my chest between my boobs. It wasn't pain per say but like an aching idk if it was gas or what. I had taken some immodium around 9:30 cuz of diarrhea. So my gut was doing some gurgling and stuff. I didn't go to sleep till like almost 4am and that was after I propped myself up with pillows so I was in more of a upright position. My heart wasn't racing or anything but I could feel it beating. I had an ekg and a chest xray before surgery that came back normal. I looked online and alot of ppl have it when they have anxiety. Could it of been anxiety of not taking anything to make me sleep? And not getting any sleep? I have been fine today so far and I am gonna take benadryl tonight to help me sleep.

Hello Sassy

What you are describing sure sounds like reflux (acid). About a year and a half ago I was getting episodes shortly after I went to bed and sometimes in the middle of the night that would literally wake me up. The discomfort was in the area of the sternum in the middle of my chest. It felt like I was having a heart attack, an ache as you described it, or something trapped.. I got relief when I took Tums or Zantac. Eventually I began to get these attacks more often and my GP sent me for all kinds of tests (tests to see if I had an ulcer, a barium swallow, CT scan of the abdomen/pelvic). The barium swallow test revealed that I had some acid reflux going on. You can read up about this condition as it is also called GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). My doctor put me on a prescription acid reducing drug for 3 months last Summer and I would stay away from greasy foods and I have been just fine. I found that when I had these episodes that would wake me up in the middle of the night, sleeping upright and sometimes even in a reclining chair in a seated position was the only way that I could sleep. I am not trying to diagnose what is wrong with you, just sharing my experience and I hope you find it helpful.

Take care

I am having it now, and I ate dinner about an hour ago but it was just homemade mac n cheese. Nothing spicy or anything. Ugh if I have to deal with acid reflux on top of everything else!!!

Try taking a Tums or antacid if you have one and see if that makes you feel better

it doesn't have to be spicy for it to cause Gerd, once you get it. Your best bet is to go and get a heartburn pill. You can buy omeprazole over the counter.

Make sure you always take any Nsaids (motrin, advil, aleve, etc) with food. They can cause GeRd too. I have to make sure I'm on heartburn meds while taking them. Otherwise, I don't usually have heartburn.

It might not be a bad idea to have it looked at. Chest pain can be serious. Most of the time it is heartburn but you should have it check out to be certain.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by lynnjb Make sure you always take any Nsaids (motrin, advil, aleve, etc) with food. They can cause GeRd too. I have to make sure I'm on heartburn meds while taking them. Otherwise, I don't usually have heartburn. n.

This is probably the case I am always taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach cuz I don't eat alot. I usually only eat one meal a day. And maybe some light snacking. I used to have to take prilosec for a stomach ulcer but that went away. And unfortunately I do not have any antacids in the house right now.

My first thought was reflux too. Not fun, but easily managed in most cases. Sometimes more frequent but smaller meals can help.
Hope you sleep better tonight!

Probably reflux, but if it happens again give your doctor a call. Up to 2 months after surgery we are more prone to blood clots and that is not something to mess around with. IMO it's one of those things worth checking out if there's any chance.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by RescuePups Probably reflux, but if it happens again give your doctor a call. Up to 2 months after surgery we are more prone to blood clots and that is not something to mess around with. IMO it's one of those things worth checking out if there's any chance.

Well I had the feeling yesterday after dinner but then it went away by bedtime. So I got to sleep last night. Well as good as I can with no sleep meds. And nothing right now either. So hopefully it stays away now.

If you've been taking pain meds for the last 2 months, your stomach might definitively not happy! Especially if taken without food!
Try with yogurt next time