Health - Intense Hangovers?

[AhSEE]

SWIM has been getting extreme hang over symptoms which occur when drinking anymore than 3 or so beers. These symptoms include dull aching chest pain that radiates to the back and left arm, with a 'catching feeling', cold and hot sweats, confusion and any sort of activity being difficult. SWIM's chest pain last approximately 3days after. SWIM also comes out in skin rashes on the face and abdomen.

SWIM has been to the doctor's and has had full echo for heart and stress test that was negative. All doctor's have passed off SWIM's symptoms as 'heartburn' or possibly gastritis.

SWIM decided to stop drinking for 6months as it was not worth it. However, now SWIM has finished College forever and would like to enjoy his summer and not feel so left out. SWIM has experimented with different alcohols and heartburn drugs but has had no success. SWIM has also tried a few multi-vitamins and berocca after drinking but to no avail.

If anyone who has any idea/advice/similar symptoms SWIM would like to hear from them, as SWIM would really like to enjoy some alcohol with his friends on occasions. Thanks!

[bcubed]

Well, I'm glad to hear you ruled out heart troubles, 'cause it was my first guess.

I suppose it's possible SWIY's allergic to alcohol. ("Allergic" is frequently code for "alcoholic," but I don't see why it couldn't be legtimiate.)

One thing...if it's gastritis, or acid reflux, perhaps non-carbonated drinks would be more palatable to SWIY. If SWIY's gonna keep drinking, it might not hurt to give this a try.

[davestate]

Acute inflammation of the pancreas may cause severe chest pain that although predominantly in the epigastrium, also radiates to the chest. Such pain is often accompanied by changes in the ECG, which I presume your doctor ruled out? Perhaps if you could arrange an appiontment with the doc, and have a few drinks there any intermittent cardiac arrhythmia might show?

This fits SWIyour symptoms

Alcohol is toxic to the heart making it beat faster and harder. The alcohol may even produce irregular and ineffective heart beats. The increased need of such a heart for oxygen may be sufficient to produce chest pain. Cessation of the alcohol is all that is needed to eliminate chest pain.

You might have an intermittent arrhythmia or other acute intermittent heart defect, which only presents when the heart is stressed under certain precise circumstances, IE when you drink.

NOTE: I an't a doc, so this could all be complete BS. If anything precipitates heart or chest pain, STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL until a professional diagnosis is confirmed. You don't want sudden cardic death or something equally nasty