Accepted Answer

Hello!

Since most of your symptoms seem to be connected with eating; I suspect that you may be having some reflux symptoms. I would suggest that for now take steps to eliminate or reduce potential reflux and see if this leads to improvment. The symptoms caused by reflux into the lower third of the esophagus may be different than what you exerience with reflux higher into the esophagus.

My recommendations to protect against the possible adverse effects of reflux would include:

1. Take Prilosec 20 mg a day for at least a trial period of ten days. If this seems to be associated with some relief then continue for at least 6 weeks.


2. Wait 90 minutes after you eat prior to lying down.

3. If not too much trouble I would suggest that you may benefit to elevate the head of your bed on blocks 4 to 6 inches. (this is better than an extra pillow because it keeps your torso at a slight angle which helps gravity to keep stomach contents in your stomach; the extra pillow technique may hurt your neck and tends to not be effective)

4. For the next few weeks avoid foods and meds that may irritate your stomach and /or esophagus. These would include hot spicy foods, acidic foods, tomatoes, foods with tomto sauce, citrus fruits, onions peppers, alcoholic drinks, anti-inflammatory meds such as Aleve and Advil(Tylenol is OK). Coffee is also an irritant.

5. If you have the symptoms then you may try Mylanta. This or a similar antacid may bring quick relief but may not last long.


If your symptoms are related to reflux then these steps will probably alleviate the problem. With the symptoms you describe refeerred pain from the heart is still a possibility even though you had a normal EGK. I don't know your age and other risk factors but this factors strongly into the equation of what should be done next.

I'm not so sure that the more recent cough is related to the other symptoms that you experienced earlier.(Reflux may lead to aspiration at night however and this could be a connection)

I hope this information helps. Further questions are welcome if you have any.

If my answer has been helpful and to your satisfaction then please press the "ACCEPT" button so that I may get paid for my work. Thank You and Best regards,

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Expert:	Anthony Bray MD
Pos. Feedback:	99.4 %
Accepts:	609
Answered:	9/24/2009

Doctor

14 years as clinician in the field of Family Practice