Posted 2/26/2010 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am so happy that I found this forum. Thank you everyone who has posted information regarding diffuse esophageal spasms. I am 42 and have been suffering for 10 years. I have been to many doctors and they just continued to treat me for GERD. My latest doctor who put me on aciphex explained away my excruciating pain in my chest and back as my brain not being able to show me where the pain really is - in my esophagus - and sending signals to my back, chest and shoulders. sheesh.
I have noticed an increase recently in my difficulty in swallowing food. Yesterday after eating I had the worse pain I have EVER had in my life. It was the same as always, sharp stabbing pain in my chest and back with radiating pain in my shoulders. I ended up in severe pain and vomiting for 2 hours. After a horrible experience at Urgent Care I finally went to ER, even though my pain had finally gone away after the 7th time I had vomited. They were very nice and did many tests (including EKG and ultrasound). I had always suspected my gallbladder and almost wanted to cry when they told me my gallbladder was fine. In releasing me the ER dr. casually mentions the possibility of esophageal spasms as a possibility - and that really stuck with me. After reading all your posts I am 100% positive that this is what I have been suffering from for 10 years, thus the reason the GERD medicines never totally work. I just can't believe that not a single doctor ever mentioned this to me, EVER. 5 years ago I even had an scope and was told that everything was totally fine, that the severe pain was in my head, and that it was stress. I am so excited to hear that there are both homeopathic and medical remedies for this problem. For those of you that say they wanted to die when having the pain - I can relate - and in a weird way it's just so good to hear I am not alone. I am going to find a GI doctor and pursue this a.s.a.p. If you have any other information, suggestions or stories for me I would LOVE to hear them. I am going to get peppermint oil today! Thanks so much. God Bless.