Can chronic acid reflux cause under-arm and jaw pain?

Hello doctor,

I had a history of acid reflux for about three years, and I used to take Esomeprazole once a week. Then, I moved to another country, and the acid reflux issue almost disappeared. I would take one tablet in three weeks. I had been up to 246 pounds in the past, and now I weigh 235 pounds.

Before shifting, I was 218 pounds, and the doctor who checked me three years back told me that this could be due to obesity, as the muscle in the throat might be struggling due to my weight.

However, 60 days back, I was sleeping in a bed without a pillow for three to four days, and in the morning, I could feel the acid right up to my throat. I started using high pillows, and the sensation went away. However, about 40 days ago, all of a sudden, I started feeling that I had something stuck in my throat.

So, I started taking Esomeprazole twice a day, and the sensation went away. I do not smoke, but occasionally I drink. I have stopped drinking for the last ten days. However, I had extreme bloating, and I underwent an endoscopy, and they took tissues from two small moles inside the food pipe.

Everything was good then. So, I went ahead and consulted another doctor, and he prescribed Pantoprazole for me, but that medicine had no effect on me, and the situation worsened. So, I went again with Esomeprazole, and the doctor provided me with Esomeprazole 40 mg and asked me to take two tablets a day.

I started taking Esomeprazole 40 mg two times a day, and the sensation went away. I stopped taking this. After two to four days, I had a chest infection, mainly on the right chest and partially on the left. I applied some cream provided by the doctor, and the feeling on my right chest went away.

I had this problem in the past, and the chest became extremely painful then. I underwent an ultrasound, and everything seemed fine. However, they gave me a tablet and the pain went away.

The pain was so severe at that time that I was not able to walk; with a small movement, I experienced severe chest pain. Even this time, the pain was around the chest at multiple points. I visited the doctor again, and they did a mammography.

The result is as follows:

1. Bilateral breast and left axillary ultrasound of soft tissues, along with bilateral diagnostic mammography with tomosynthesis.
2. History: Pain in the left breast or nipple extending to the axilla. Possible gynecomastia? No previous reports are available for comparison.
3. Findings: There is a small amount of retroareolar parenchymal tissue in both breasts. No spiculated mass, suspicious microcalcifications, or other abnormal findings were noted.
4. Impression: No mammographic or sonographic evidence of malignancy in either the breast or the left axilla. Mild bilateral gynecomastia is observed. Clinical follow-up is advised.
5. BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) 2: Benign finding.

Since then, the pain in the chest or breast has reduced on the right, but on the left side, it has increased. I noticed that about three inches down the nipples, there is a point where there is extreme pain when I apply on that area (possibly in the area where lymph nodes are located under the arm).

They did an ultrasound there but found nothing. I also have had active hemorrhoid issues for the past year. I am consulting a doctor tomorrow after a year's wait.

About 20 to 25 days ago, all of a sudden, I started getting the following symptoms,

1. Needle prick pain and muscle pain under the jaw, especially the right jaw.
2. Extreme dry throat, or if that feeling is not there, I have a feeling that something is stuck in the throat; if not, then the sore throat. When the sore throat goes away, everything is good until I have breakfast. No feeling of something stuck inside or a dry throat feeling.
3. I have a sore throat immediately after waking up. This has been there for a few months. But after waking up, this goes away.
4. Last week, I had pain in my arm and a fever in the morning.
5. I have muscle pain inside the throat or maybe outside.
6. I had a bad taste in my mouth before and during the fever. But not anymore.
7. When I walk down the step, if I close my mouth and concentrate on the sound, I feel that inside my mouth, there is a slight crackling sound.

If I take Esomeprazole 40 mg, one tablet, usually 30 minutes after the food, I have some sort of feeling inside the throat where I could struggle to take saliva too. After 15 minutes, phlegm would constantly fill my throat. Hence, I always take half a tablet in the morning and another half in the evening. This works to some extent.

The main difference between what I have now and what I have is that if I take Esomeprazole, the sensation goes away when I have these symptoms. However, when I take Esomeprazole 40 mg, half a tablet, the sensation never goes away but becomes manageable, but not every time.

Can you suggest a medication for my issues? Or should I visit a specialist?

Please give me your suggestions.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response.

I read online that underarm pain might be related to a throat infection or globus pharyngeus. It is suggested that lymph nodes can cause underarm pain as they try to address the throat issue. Is this a possibility? I am unsure and am seeking your opinion. Additionally, the jaw pain is located above the throat and not inside the mouth.

Could you clarify which condition you recommended antihistamine medication for?

Please advise.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response.

Two doctors examined me and performed an ultrasound, but neither were specialists, and nothing abnormal was found on the ultrasound. The pain is localized to one spot in the underarm, particularly when I apply pressure. Additionally, when I move my arm, I experience mild pain in the left chest. Otherwise, the pain is generally mild.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response.

I have taken anti-inflammatory drugs, but there has been no change. This pain has been present for the past 40 days.

Please help.