Gentle 's for you Sally! My first thought was esophageal spams as well. Those are quite painful and can even hurt for a day or 2 afterward. Interestingly, they give you nitroglycerin for esophageal spasms. I have some on hand for just in case. The first time I ever had one I thought I had bronchitis. It was after hours so I went to the clinic who sent me to the ER to be evaluated to rule out cardiac problems. Other than some PVCs, which I've had for years, the heart checked out ok. But, when I got to the ER they did give me nitroglycerin. The nurse was telling me that if it was either a heart issue or esophageal spasms the nitro would work. And, it did. It increases blood flow to that area. I could see why many people would rush to the ER thinking they were having a heart attack.

I agree with the others that you need to get it checked out. The classical signs of a heart attack that they list really don't pertain to women so much. A lot of women do not experience the crushing severe chest pain etc. that you may hear about. So never assume it's not a heart attack. I recently read a thing by a nurse who had a heart attack. Her description was very different that the chest clutching pain you see on TV or hear about. It was a really good article and I wish I bookmarked it. She didn't think she was having a heart attack at first. I think hers started with GI upset and she was thinking it was GERD. So, please, check it out.

For me, the hug is always there every day. Some days are worse than others. I also get the horrible nerve pain too. Ice helps me as does the Epsom Salt baths and, of course, Neurotin. The hug is not a friendly companion and as I have posted many times before, I call it the MS Vise Grip. There is nothing warm and fuzzy about it as you would expect with a hug.

Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing!

I can't believe, you used my line on me!!!

Ugly ape face here .
Soooo...when is your appointment to see your PCP????

Hope that you are doing OK Sally. Worried about you .

With love, Erika

(also concerned and piling on...)

Hey Sal - what did the MD say / when is your appointment at the doctor's to get checked out???

we wouldn't comment if we didn't care

From the Amer Heart Assn.

Heart Attack Signs in Women

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

I should have gone to the hospital immediately, but didn't!!!

I did not have any of the above symptoms and, according to them,
am already too late to see the Doc. I am sure that, I did not have
an HA. I had an esophageal spasm, I'm sure of it, and have already
taken steps and precautions to avoid having another.

Thank you all for being here for me. I will always love you.

OK Sally...I'll put the ugly ape face away, but if it comes on again, please DO call and go in to make sure that it is just an esophageal spasm.

So glad that you are feeling better and that you are having perfect weather days.

With love, Erika

Again last night, till 5:30 AM. Ouch, ugh.
So, since I was up anyway, I went to a gerd/esophigeal spasm
forum, to see what the experts, like us, are thinking/doing about it.

I learned, that nothing short of an operation will help. The Docs are
ready with the usual drugs, but, according to these peeps, none of
them work. The only thing that helps the pain is a nitroG, under
the tongue.

They all say what you all said, "1st rush to the hospital, it could be
an HA. The pain & tightness in the middle, are very similar.The best
way to treat it is, to go after the triggers, such as chocolate, caffeine,
acidy foods, like oranges..etc.

Erika, looks like I may be a candidate for your special smoothie.
What's that recipe again?...Crapola!!!! I hope I will be able to eat
most foods, though, except the acidy ones.

The bad news is that, I'll have to stop those Green coffee caps,
since they no longer work on my losing weight, anyway. I'll think
a little longer on vitamin-chocolate,(as ANN calls it! NOOOOO.

Sheesh, I've always had an iron stomach, no more, I guess, now
that I'm older, delicate-r and have rotten MS.

Anyone know of any secret cure for this?

Really, really wish you'd have it checked out...

Thanks Blessings, I will deffinately have this checked out. I HATE IT!!!

If it had been a heart attack you could still eat chocolate.

ANN