Question:
I experience pain in the left upper chest (almost like heart pain) and pressure into

my left jaw and throat. Comes when my stomach is empty and after I have eaten. Anyone out there experience the same? Any idea what it is????    — joni S. (posted on April 3, 2000)

April 3, 2000
Joni, I only had that happen 1 time- at night and in bed. I think I hadn't eaten in a while. I thought I could be having a heart attack, but decided that couldn't be it. I think it ended up being muscle cramps. I tried the ol' Lamaze breathing and rubbing the area and it went away. It sounds like it is happening to you pretty regularly, so I think you ought to call your Dr. Good Luck!
   — M B.

April 3, 2000
Joni, Sounds like you should be calling your Doctor. Sometimes the jaw and throat pain, coupled with the chest pain could indeed to symptoms of some heart related problems. Better to be safe in the long run! Best wishes!
   — [Anonymous]

April 3, 2000
I agree with Anon. It can't hurt to call you doc. I do get upper chest pain, usually from eating too fast . . . but it is clearly a stomach-type pain, and doesn't involve the other areas you mentioned. Please call your doc.
   — Toni B.

April 3, 2000
Jonie I would suggest to anyone who is having this type of pain to contact their doctor immediately. You may be experiencing something that is not related to you WLS. Just because you have had WLS does not mean you WILL NOT have other obesity related health problems...even after you have begun to lose weight. I hope you feel better soon.
   — ginariso

April 4, 2000
What you describe sounds like heart problems. Those are typical signs of a heart attack. I would get to my doctor's office ASAP, as this is nothing to play around with. Good Luck and I hope everything turns out to be alright...Marni
   — Marni

April 4, 2000
I just want to comment on something somebody else said about having this kind of pain in the middle of the night and "deciding" that it couldn't be her heart. Thank God it wasn't. Do you have any idea how many people have died waiting for pain like this to go away or because someone was convinced it must be bad case of indigestion. PLEASE, PLEASE, don't play around with chest pain - especially when it involved your jaw and arm. I know the insurance companies won't cover non-emergency trips to the emergency room, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
   — Nancy G. W.

April 4, 2000
To add to Nancy.... I don't know of any insurance company that will regard chest pain (regardless of the outcome) as non-emergency. Most will cover for an emergency visit for these signs and symptoms. Hope you do o.k. Best wishes
   — Cindi W.