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Extreme Pain in Heart After Colonoscopy

Posted By Kim (Seattle, WA) on 10/16/2021

The night after the colonoscopy I thought I was going to have a heart attack. The center of my chest was painful. It hurt so bad I woke up in the middle of the night. I got sick and felt better. It felt like the food was not getting past my esophagus. It got better but now am on my second week, I'm having burping, pain in my chest after I eat anything. I'm also getting pain in like my stomach or intestines or something. I have never ever had heartburn and could eat anything except when I was pregnant over 26 years ago. Now It hurts to eat anything.

When I called the doctor that gave me the colonoscopy the first night, he stated I should get an upper one done and I never had one and treated it as it was a separate issue. I explained that I have never had problems and I believe it was related to the procedure the night before he still was acted as if it was non related. I have never experienced anything like this before. Obviously I need to find a different doctor to ask. The doctor is very nice and happy in general, just seemed to make assumptions about these sudden symptoms not being related.

Yesterday I ate 1/2 of a bagel and was in pain most of the day. I'm afraid to eat now.

Replied by Deirdre (Connecticut) on 10/16/2021

Hi Kim,

A friend of mine had these exact symptoms after a colonoscopy a few years ago. She believed it was side effects from the anesthesia. Took her a while to recover from that.

Another friend had issues with a buildup of gas after her procedure that made eating incredibly uncomfortable. I believe activated charcoal really helped her. Strong ginger root tea might also be helpful. It took at least 2-3 weeks for her to feel better.

Replied by Sue (VA) on 10/16/2021

My dr told me that the colonoscopy prep drink can actually irritate the esophagus and cause reflux.

Replied by Mama to Many (Tennessee ) on 10/17/2021

Dear Kim,

So sorry to hear this!

I wonder if the colonoscopy could have stirred things up and caused a gall stone to get into the bile duct.

The symptoms you describe are like the ones I have experienced during a major gallbladder attack.

You might try some of the remedies for gallbladder attack on this site, like apple cider vinegar.

For my worst gallbladder attacks, I would use a castor oil pack overnight over the liver area with a heating pad. It usually brought much relief.

I hope you feel better soon.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Kim (Seattle) on 10/17/2021

Thanks everyone, I'm trying Barleans Intestinal repair which says it has herbs, probiotics and taking RAW Probiotics, turmeric 2 capsules, manuka honey and ginger. It sounds like it will go away and may be just lingering affects. Symptoms are a little better.

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