Stupidest question of the week

[MattBaggins]

I have had heartburn for over 24 hours now and have used pepto, tums, pepcid ac, zantac, and none of them really seem to help. Should I go see a doctor?

[mitchtv]

1. yeah, if only to make sure you're not having a heart attack

sometimes the symptoms are close.

[MattBaggins]

2. Don't think its a heart problem

It hurts when I swallow which I don't believe is a heart problem.

[Dez]

3. Sounds like acid reflux.

I have it, went to the doctor, and he gave me a scrip for Prevacid.. no more heart burn.

[unblock]

5. hurts when you swallow? please describe the hurt

sharp throat pain (e.g., due to acid)?
or broader, muscular pain?

[unblock]

4. not to be too gross, but

have you had a nice big crap lately?

full intestines can put pressure on other organs and sometimes leads to heartburn and nausea.

so a nice big crap might relieve the heartburn.

[Blue-Jay]

7. Nobody ever asks me good questions like that.

(the answer is yes)

[mcscajun]

6. What ever it is...

...anything that lasts long and is unresponsive to home treatment calls for a visit to a doctor.

[zelda7743]

8. My suggestions as a dietitian....

Eat small frequent meals, avoid drinking a lot of fluids with meals, avoid "trigger foods" such as chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or spicy foods....
This is what a doctor is going to tell you to try first. If these steps don't solve the problem, you may need a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor (prevacid, protonix, etc.) or he may decide to scope you to see if anything more serious is going on.
Hope this resolves soon!