Feeling Overwhelmed by Health Concerns
I’m a 31-year-old woman standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall. About a month back, I visited the emergency room due to experiencing a tightness in my chest along with discomfort in the region of my right bicep. They conducted several tests including an EKG, a chest X-ray, and a blood analysis, all of which returned normal results. The doctors speculated it could potentially be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux related. In the following week, I struggled with persistent nausea, and it seemed that eating would trigger discomfort in those areas. A week later, the nausea intensified, and I began to shiver unexpectedly, even though it was quite warm outside at 90 degrees. The shivering lasted for about three hours, culminating in a fever of 102 degrees that persisted through the night but subsided by morning. Now, despite some time having passed, I continue to feel this strange burning sensation in my right bicep, which at times extends down my right arm. Additionally, I experience a similar burning pain in my upper back beneath my right shoulder blade, particularly following meals. I saw my primary care physician yesterday, who recommended an ultrasound to assess my gallbladder and abdominal region, and I’m currently awaiting the results. Furthermore, since around April of this year, I've also noticed an increase in hair loss. While the mild chest and arm pains I felt after eating have slightly decreased, I remain particularly distressed about the ongoing pain in my right bicep and the burning sensation in my upper back. I'm becoming increasingly anxious, convincing myself that I might be facing a serious condition such as gastric cancer or bile duct cancer.
Answers (1)
7/28/2025, 2:01:51 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed with your health concerns, especially considering your recent symptoms and hospital visit. Your experiences with chest tightness, nausea, and now persistent pain and discomfort understandably raise anxiety about serious conditions. However, it's important to remember that many of your symptoms can be linked to more common and benign causes, especially since your initial tests returned normal.
Explanation
The tightness in your chest and arm discomfort could indeed relate to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly if meals trigger these symptoms. The burning sensation in your right bicep and upper back can sometimes be attributed to muscle strain, nerve irritation, or referred pain related to digestive issues. The fever and shivering you experienced might indicate a temporary infection or reaction, but since you have no current fever, this seems to have resolved.
Hair loss can be distressing and may have many causes, including stress, nutritional deficiencies, or even thyroid issues.
Next Steps
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Follow Up on Ultrasound Results: Monitor any updates from the upcoming gallbladder ultrasound. This is important as gallbladder issues can contribute to upper abdominal pain.
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Manage Digestive Symptoms:
- Diet Changes: Consider a diet low in fats, spicy foods, and caffeine. Practicing smaller, more frequent meals might help reduce discomfort after eating.
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Antacids or medications designed to reduce stomach acid (like famotidine) may help alleviate acute GERD symptoms.
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Track Symptoms: Keep a journal of your symptoms, including when they occur and what you’ve eaten. This can help identify triggers and provide useful information for your healthcare provider.
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Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Stress Management: Since anxiety can exacerbate physical symptoms, engaging in relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle yoga could be beneficial.
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Monitor Hair Loss: If hair loss continues or worsens, consider discussing this with your doctor, who may recommend blood tests to check for thyroid function or nutritional deficiencies.
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Seek Support: If anxiety about your health becomes overwhelming, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for support.
It's completely normal to feel concerned about your health, but addressing these issues step by step will empower you to manage them more effectively. Let me know if you have more questions!
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