Surge Feelings

[CLeeB]

Just a brief history for background. A late night trip to ER in Nov 07 started me on a course of taking nearly every anti-reflux med on the market with only superficial help. Various tests ruled out heart/lung problems, ruled in reflux. Other tests ruled out a host of other potential problems. I was basically told by the gastroenterologist (who was somewhat of an a$$) - you can have surgery or live with the 75% reduction in symptoms by Nexium. I also had what seemed like wicked blood sugar dips every once in awhile, constipation, cramping, slightly elevated HR some days, tingly fingers, and a whole host of weird aches and pains. After 6 months of no resolution, I finally went to a natureopath who suspected gluten sensitivity. After getting rid of some bad bacteria & parasites that probably flourished in the low stomach acid environment, things have steadily (if not discouragingly slowly) improved. Enterolab IgA anti-gliadin test recently came back strongly positive.

But, I had one particuarly unsettling symptom and am wondering if anyone else has felt something similar: I can only identify it as a "surge"...it was a powerful, but very short surge that radiated up/out (depending on where it started) and was gone in less than a second. About half the time, it started at the base of my sternum and surged up. The rest of the time, it started below my adams apple and kind of surged outward. But powerful enough that it would stop everything else I was doing. It felt sort of like a muscle/nerve spasm, but not quite. As you can see it's somewhat hard to describe accurately. It was very inconsistent and not necessarily attached to stress (although sometimes they definitely coincided).

Of course, it freaked me out to no end at the beginning - GABA helped calm the nerves down somewhat. My natureopathic doctor (Tahoma Clinic - south of Seattle) says it is a symptom common to her patients with gluten issues. The acupuncturist thinks its a combination of nerves, stress and GI issues, but that it's fairly uncommon in her practice.

Neither can explain the physiology of it.

Thankfully, I haven't had this feeling in a couple months. I'm hoping it stays away b/c it's VERY unsettling. In fact, I'm kind of glad that I'm writing this now when I can be somewhat factual about it.

Anyone else experience anything like this? I kind of hate to add to the "anyone else out there with symptom x" posts, but this one was so weird that I felt like the reality check was worth it.

Thanks in advance. And despite my low post count, I've read these boards fairly frequently and they've been a huge source of help, and comfort on the down days.

[rinne]

Hi.

I don't know if I have had that symptom, I have had some strange sensations and what you are describing feels familiar but not quite the same. I have had strong sensations in the area of my sternum but more like everything seizing.

The first thing that jumped out at me about your post is the symptoms you have that may to related to a B deficiency, has anyone checked your vitamin and mineral levels?

When I first went to the doctor because it felt like my digestive system, from stem to stern, was on fire, I had incredible pain and also a sudden drastic weight loss. The first thing she prescribed for me was Omeprazole which is used the same as Nexium is, that day I also got a copy of my blood panel with my B12 levels on it.

When I came home I did some research and discovered that Omeprazole stops absorption of B vitamins in the gut and since my B levels were critically low it seem counter-productive. From that doctor's perspective my B levels were fine but in fact they were not. The chart of front of her said that anything between 178 and 878 was fine but in reality anything lower than 500 is not good and since I was at 220 and suffering neuro symptoms, clearly not good.

I looked up Nexium and I wonder if some of what you have experienced may be a side effect from it.

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[CLeeB]

has anyone checked your vitamin and mineral levels?

Thanks for the quick response. I did have my B-12 and folate levels checked last Summer by a traditional medicine doctor and they were seemingly fine - B-12 was 611 (range 210-910) and Folate 14.3 (3.1-17.5). Natureopathic doc put me on B-12/folic acid injections anyway. A couple months ago, I switched to sublingual B-12 and she just asked me to switch to a slightly different form of B-12.

I too tried omeprazole, and Ranitidine, and Zegerid and ended up with Nexium. But I went off all that stuff after I started seeing the natureopathic doc (June last year). The surges continued off and on through Thanksgiving. So, I don't think they directly correlate with the Nexium.

[rinne]

....

I too tried omeprazole, and Ranitidine, and Zegerid and ended up with Nexium. But I went off all that stuff after I started seeing the natureopathic doc (June last year). The surges continued off and on through Thanksgiving. So, I don't think they directly correlate with the Nexium.

That does sound plausible, mmmm well maybe someone else will be along who knows more than I, glad to hear your vitamin and mineral levels were checked. It is amazing how often they are not.

[obrienfarm]

i have the exact same surge you are talking about. i am just now putting the pieces together of this mysterious feeling. it has been a while since you posted this and i am wondering if you are still doing okay? was gluten the whole culprit?

Just a brief history for background. A late night trip to ER in Nov 07 started me on a course of taking nearly every anti-reflux med on the market with only superficial help. Various tests ruled out heart/lung problems, ruled in reflux. Other tests ruled out a host of other potential problems. I was basically told by the gastroenterologist (who was somewhat of an a$$) - you can have surgery or live with the 75% reduction in symptoms by Nexium. I also had what seemed like wicked blood sugar dips every once in awhile, constipation, cramping, slightly elevated HR some days, tingly fingers, and a whole host of weird aches and pains. After 6 months of no resolution, I finally went to a natureopath who suspected gluten sensitivity. After getting rid of some bad bacteria & parasites that probably flourished in the low stomach acid environment, things have steadily (if not discouragingly slowly) improved. Enterolab IgA anti-gliadin test recently came back strongly positive.

But, I had one particuarly unsettling symptom and am wondering if anyone else has felt something similar: I can only identify it as a "surge"...it was a powerful, but very short surge that radiated up/out (depending on where it started) and was gone in less than a second. About half the time, it started at the base of my sternum and surged up. The rest of the time, it started below my adams apple and kind of surged outward. But powerful enough that it would stop everything else I was doing. It felt sort of like a muscle/nerve spasm, but not quite. As you can see it's somewhat hard to describe accurately. It was very inconsistent and not necessarily attached to stress (although sometimes they definitely coincided).

Of course, it freaked me out to no end at the beginning - GABA helped calm the nerves down somewhat. My natureopathic doctor (Tahoma Clinic - south of Seattle) says it is a symptom common to her patients with gluten issues. The acupuncturist thinks its a combination of nerves, stress and GI issues, but that it's fairly uncommon in her practice.

Neither can explain the physiology of it.

Thankfully, I haven't had this feeling in a couple months. I'm hoping it stays away b/c it's VERY unsettling. In fact, I'm kind of glad that I'm writing this now when I can be somewhat factual about it.

Anyone else experience anything like this? I kind of hate to add to the "anyone else out there with symptom x" posts, but this one was so weird that I felt like the reality check was worth it.

Thanks in advance. And despite my low post count, I've read these boards fairly frequently and they've been a huge source of help, and comfort on the down days.

[txplowgirl]

I would have something I would consider close to that. I would get this feeling at the base of my sternum up to my lower throat. To me it felt like that area seized up. I would get this feeling like my insides freezing up and I would get a severe headache.

It finally went away after about a year gluten free.