I am a 24 year old male, about 511 175lbs, so I am average height and weight, I eat fairly well and exercise from time to time. A few points in my life I have had a sharp chest pain for a few hours but then it passes and doesnt come back for a few months. Well on 10-10-10 I left work around 2pm and got a burrito from chipotle, came home felt nausea all night long until finally I threw up. The hardest I have ever thrown up in my life, my parents said I sounded like a monster. I felt better after and finally was able to sleep, the following day I had sharp chest pain but just assumed it was from a strain. Towards the end of the day it got to the point I couldnt breath and I had the cold sweats and was holding my chest until finally I went to the ER. They did an ekg on me and blood work and said my heart and lungs were fine and it was probably an anxiety attack or indigestion. Not satisfied with their diagnosis I saw a doctor 2 days later (I STILL had this pain and pressure in my chest) He ordered an Upper G.I. Barium swallow, chest xrays, ultrasound of the abdomen, and a scope test. They found that I had a Hiatal hernia and a significant case of GERD and gave me prilosec and said Id be better in a few days and it was simply indigestion. It has been over a month and I still have these pains and the Prilosec did nothing for me, so finally I went back and he perscribed me another medication similar to prilosec and I am on day 3 of that. What really irritates me is he also gave me medicne for depression and anxiety and said I needed to take that because I was probably just stressed out, but if you knew me you would know I am the happiest go lucky person in the world. I still have these chest pains and I am truly scared, when I requested he send me for testing on my heart he simply said I was too young to have heart/lung problems. The pain the first few days was so intense I would just sit on the couch all day and it has been a few weeks its finally calmed down to the point I can eat meals again. The first week I would eat a few bites of something and feel full. My chest pain is on the left side and sometimes feels like pressure on my chest, I get headaches all the time I dont know if thats associated, the pain will work its way up to the top left of my chest at times. I can see where he would think this is GERD or something with my stomache but why am I not feeling better with this medication?I drink quite often and I just picked up smoking cigarettes this year, can anybody give me any advice? Do these sound like symptoms similar to GERD and a hernia or am I crazy to think maybe something is wrong with my heart?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. I have gone through the detailed history you have given. Possibility of HERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) due to smoking is more likely in your case. No need to worry about heart or lung related diseases. HERD is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. Because of this, the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause chest pain, nausea, vomiting, chest pressure, tightness etc. Only Chat Doctor.  You have to follow below-mentioned lifestyle modifications for better symptomatic relief.1. Avoid stress and tension, be relaxed and calm.2. Quit smoking and alcohol.3. Go for walking after meals.4. Avoid junk food. Avoid hot and spicy food. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.5. Keep 2-3 pillows under head in bed to prevent reflux.Don't worry, you will be alright with all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.