I can totally relate to the posts in this thread. My GI doc told me that IBS can affect the entire GI tract, from throat to anus, and that the chest pains I was having was from the throat spasms that were just another manifestation of the IBS. Endoscopy showed very little acid in my stomach and esophagus, and that I suffer from that dreaded visceral hypersensitivity, but only for the spasms in my throat. I have had IBS for almost 10 years and (after the first two horrible years) have rarely had severe pain below my stomach. The chest pains are obnoxiously painful, almost like an elephant is sitting on my chest while a bear is squeezing me. Sometimes it's nearly impossible to swallow anything, but I try to get the water down because it does seem to help quite a bit. I do have mild GERD, so when I get the reflux going it REALLY hurts in my chest (like right now thanks to the garlic in my red potatoes tonight - yikes!). I am on 25mg Elavil (amitriptyline) once at night for the chest pains. It keeps the pain at a manageable level but it is definately there a lot. Without the Elavil it gets so bad I feel like my throat is closing and choking me. Besides the water and Elavil, the relaxation techniques I learned from a clinical hypnotherapist help a lot. I use a CD that she gave me and another one I got from LEAP whenever I need to really relax. I can't recommend it enough (relaxation therapies, that is).