Expert: Leigh-Anne - 9/26/2003

Question
        hey,

      i would rather not say my name just because i would rather remain annoymous if that's okay with you.  anyway, i'm starting to have problems with eating.  its more of one problem than an eating disorder and maybe you could help me.  everytime i eat something, after i swallow it hurts really bad!! (im a 14 year old girl by the way) i know its not my throat that hurts though, its like right between my breasts, its a sharp pain and it stays there for about ten seconds and i almost have to hold my chest to keep it from hurting.  i thought at the beginning that it was from eating too big of a bite or soemthing but i get it when i take a drink of soemthing too.  its when i eat hot and cold foods too.  it's been going on for about three weeks now and im not sure what to do!! im gona go to the doctors if it doesnt stop but i need to do soemthing because its at the point that it hurts so bad to eat that i dont even want to!!! please if u have any advice let me know!! and if you dont thats okay too!! thanks for listening!!!!

Answer
Hello. It's totally fine to remain anonymous.

You definitely need to go see your doctor as soon as possible. Your description doesn't give me much to go on. But, some possibilities might be reflux/heartburn, or even an esophagus problem (such as a tear in the esophagus or an aneurysm).

If you start to cough up blood I would advise you to go to the emergency room ASAP!!!

Leigh-Anne