2 Questions: Heartburn? and a physical?

[ErinENj]

I figured I'd combine these 2 questions together since neither of them are long or need lengthy explanations. Plus, this way if you have a response for both questions, it's a little bit easier.

Question 1: Can my meds cause heartburn? I've had the most wicked heartburn over the past week or two and I really haven't been eating the same thing every day, so it's probably not the food. And the only changes in my meds was the switch to Opana ER and adding an antibiotic for my case of bronchitis (that's feeling a bit better by the way. I don't think anyone is happier than my mom, who is in the room next door and heard all of my middle of the night hacking fits. She can finally get a decent night's sleep again!). I'm leaning towards the Opana as maybe being the cause, simply because I have to take it on an empty stomach. This heartburn is worse than I usually get. I was trying to eat some crackers and drink some water, both things that help usually, and it was difficult to swallow because of the acid in my esophogus (yeah, no idea how to spell that). It felt like it was getting stuck because it couldn't fit through the esophogus. It's like the feeling you get (I'm hoping others experience this simply so I know I'm not a freak! :p ) when you're trying to swallow something at the same time as a burp is coming up the same pipe. It's the most uncomfortable thing! It feels like your chest is going to explode and you don't want to drink anything because it'll just add to the problem. My stomach hasn't caused me much trouble in my life. I think I may have had an ulcer or at least a doc who thought I had one, and had an endoscopy (that's the camera-down-the-throat-thing right? I'll never forget it; the same day surgery center was totally backed up and my doc walked in, pointed to me, and told the nurse, "I want that girl ready and in the operating room NOW." I felt so special! And then they sprayed this stuff in my mouth just before they put me under that was supposed to taste like bananas, but tasted more like rotten bananas. It was the first time that I had issues waking up from anesthesia. They put me in my own private recovery room because I was freaking out so badly. My mom had run down to the cafeteria to get a cup of tea when I was waking up and when she walked back into the room, I started screaming at her; "How could you leave me alone to go get tea? Couldn't you have waited a few minutes?" Luckily she was smart enough to get me a coke while she was there and pick up a few magazines to bribe me to be nice.) But I haven't had any issues in years. I'll get heartburn occasionally, but nothing like this. It's really irritating and sometimes it really hurts. What do you think I should do? Should I go to my PM doc first and talk to him, or go to my PCP to see if I should go back to the throat guy I saw a few years ago, or should I head straight for the throat guy? (Yeah, I know, this wasn't supposed to take much explanation. It's just that I had a good story for that one). I want to make sure that I'm not doing some serious damage to my esophogus. I haven't taken any Tums or things like that, simply because I don't have any. Is it a good idea to take the Tums, or would it have a negative effect on the absorption of the Opana, since I have to take it on an empty stomach so the stomach acid can work on it and turn it into what my doc called something similar to a gummy bear that is gradually broken down. With school, I need all the help I can get, so I don't want to have problems with the effectiveness of it.

Question 2: I've read few posts recently that talked about having a physical. Should I have one? How often should be have a complete physical? I can't remember the last time I had one. I think it may have been when I was going to college, or even back all the way to the last time I went to Frost Valley for sleepaway camp (it's the most beautiful place in New York state). Do I need to have one? And who should do it? My PCP or my PM? Just wondering. I want to make sure that I'm not really long overdue and/or putting my health in jeapordy, well, more jeapordy.

Thanks everyone!! Hope you all are well!! :D

[Bobbi]

Hi, Erin, each year I have a comprehensive physical. For as long as I've been responsible for my health care, I've had a complete physical every year.

A PCP would be the ideal doc - between PCP and PM - to do one. (I know my PM doesn't do any annual GYN "stuff.")

If you've a student health center on campus, please visit or call. Be sure to let the center know that you are a student at the campus. A nurse can explain more in-depth, and also tell you about the tests that are included in a complete physical... and the ones that are added dependent on one's age and health condition(s).

BTW: I skimmed your first paragraph. It was too much text - in a single block for me to read. Just a thought... Inserting a few breaks, to reduce the length of the paragraph, can increase readability. It's only an idea, which you can apply or discard, as well :).

[BrokenBladder]

Erin I would suggest getting a physical every year. I know that's just one more thing to do, but well worth it. Your PCP can probably handle your GYN stuff too so it should be one stop. Let him/her know about the heartburn and see what ideas they may have, It does sound like your new medication but you never know.

[Kathi49]

Erin,

I agree with Bobbi and Lisa. But it also wouldn't hurt to go back to the "throat guy". :)

I just wanted to add that I have had two cervical fusions so swallowing was an issue for awhile.

But that is kind of beside the point. I had heartburn and nausea all the time with that same feeling of something being stuck further down in the esophagus. As it turned out, I was diagnosed with gastritis and GERD and also had an esophageal stricture. My gastro doctor did an upper endoscopy, no big deal, but he stretched that stricture out and no, not a painful procedure. It can come back...just one of those things. And I was on a lot of pain meds at the time.

I can't address the meds you are on since I am not familiar with Opana ER or the antibiotic you are on.

Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to see your PCP to do an annual exam and then perhaps refer you to a Gastroenterologist if you don't have one already. I was just under the impression you were or are seeing an ENT.

Bobbi is right though. If you are on a campus with a health clinic, I think I would go there first and see what they have to say. They can at least direct you.

[ErinENj]

Thanks everyone!

I'm starting to get a little concerned about the lump in my throat. It's not going away and it's getting somewhat difficult to swallow things, even liquids. I think there'll be a phone call in the not too distant future to the throat guy (I actually managed to remember his name!) to be on the safe side. I'm probably getting paranoid about it, but I'd much rather find out it's nothing than not get it looked at and have it be something to worry about.

And I think I may have figured out which of my meds is causing the heartburn. I forgot that I just had a muscle relaxer added to my regimine. I think that may be it because I took it this afternoon at school and within a little while, the heartburn was back, just not as bad as usual. But it's painful and not just from the burning sensation, but from the lump. I'm probably making more out of it than it is, but I've never had anything like this before and it's really kinda freaking me out.

I'm definately going to try to make an appointment for a physical with my PCP soon. I'm way overdue! I do have a yearly GYN exam at my OB-GYN, so I know everything is okay with that area of the world, and I had an ultrasound when I had that appendicitis scare. They did one to make sure it wasn't anything wrong with my ovaries. Let me tell you, I've never felt so violated in my life!!! :o I thought there was only an ultrasound that is used on my stomach. I got an education with that one.

Bobbi: The campus health center won't treat me unless it's an emergency because I'm not a resident student. Plus, they're kinda scary there. I went there a few times when I was living down there. There is only a doc that comes in once or twice a week. One time I was there, I had bronchitis and it took them over an hour to figure that out, which didn't instill any confidence in me. Everyone on campus looks at the health center as kind of a joke, just a place you go when you want free condoms. They're really nice there, but they only have a doctor in once or twice a week and his time is almost always booked up a month in advance. I almost went out down there and found myself a general practitioner so that I wouldn't have to deal with them again. They're really good with giving out birth control pills, and antibiotics, but much beyond that they'll send you to your PCP. I think at a bigger university, the health center would be a good place to go, but at mine, it's the center of last resort.

And I will definately try to break up my paragraphs more! ;) Anything to make it easier for you to read! :D

Thanks again everyone! I'll keep you posted on what happens!

[Mark N]

Erin, yes your meds can cause heartburn and I need to eat to avoid it myself. A physical isn't a bad idea. I too have problems swallowing but it seems to be due to my spinal problems. I would definitely see the doctor about the lump just to be safe.

[Bobbi]

Erin,

Thank you for the increased paragraph breaks :). It's easier to read and I'm relieved you didn't take offense at the idea.

I know how it is to deal with campus health - generally. But, when it comes to asking questions about annual comprehensive exams, I found (while in college), it may also be better to schedule an appointment. That way, the nurse can set time aside to go over questions you may have and be able to explain more things in greater detail.

After that, you can decide whether you may want to schedule an appointment with one of the on-campus docs or go off-campus - and be seen faster ;).

It is a viable starting-point for someone to help sort through annuals and understand the testings that go along with it, and without making it something that seems overwhelming or scary.

It just seemed when you asked if a PCP or PM would do the complete physical that maybe some info. might be needed that a nurse can provide.

A part of that is an annual GYN, which I didn't know when I was in college. But, when it was scheduled, one of my mother's friends asked that I call as soon as I got home. The exam was 1 hour and 45 minutes. The woman said she had never heard of that and asked if a nurse was in the room. No, and it was not even something the doctor offered as an option. He locked the door.

Anyway... it didn't turn out well.

So... some times, maybe I may seem overprotective, only it stems from a desire to make sure others are okay :).