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Posted 7/18/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
How can you tell if your having esophagus spasm?
Posted 7/18/2013 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
My barium swallow showed that I have midsection esophageal spasms. I cannot tell - however have this sensation in my throat. I don't know if it is related to spasms or reflux. It increases and goes down. I think I have what they call as DES - Diffused Esophageal spasms. Also my GI thinks that mine are primary but I think they are secondary (that is caused by reflux)

From what I read on this board and elsewhere, there are some spasms that are quite forceful and these bring you down to your knees (jackhammer and nutcracker) - so obviously you can tell
Posted 7/19/2013 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
istrong,

Thanks for the reply. On my last endo (1.5 yr ago) there was no sign of nutcracker or jackhammer (thankfully). I get this massive pain and pressure in my sterum area that pierces straight through my back between my shoulder blades.

I could use some old vets here to give there opinion, if you all could. Thx

Posted 7/19/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
DOGGBONES- Manometry is the way to see if you have esophageal spasms, EGD will not tell you.  Based on my own personal experience esophageal spasms cause severe chest pain and can occur every time you eat or not at all; they are usually worse with solid foods and slightly less severe with liquids (though, not always). Attacks can last from minutes to days; they ususally start at mid-chest or epigastric area and can definitely feel like heart issues.  Hope this helps.
Posted 7/19/2013 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks OHSOBAD,

Well I believe that is whats going on. Not that I enjoy testing or the bills that come with, maybe I should get a Manometry done. Next question....why do they happen and how do you keep them to a min or even stop?

Posted 7/19/2013 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
You can tell informally by feeling an ungodly squeezing pressure in your chest, sometimes through your back, and it feels like a muscle spasm that you would get in other areas of your body. I sure don't miss those. I felt like I was having a heart attack. You haven't talked about this before, is this new? Try magnesium, thats what helped me.
Posted 7/19/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, erica

Yes, it seems to be new I guess over the last couple months. Chest pain, heavy chest, sharp pain in the sternum with sharp pains between the shoulder blades like someone is stabbing straight through me. I had an EKG and stress test to rule out heart issues.

Of course my GI doc only wants to up my ppi for now (awesome, a larger dose of death in a bottle skull ). Can't seem to connect cause and effect for now from the spasms (I believe). I'll increase magnesium tonight (none with me) and hope it helps some.

Posted 7/19/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Doggbones: I am sorry you are dealing with these spasms....they are a nightmare and the worst pain I have ever had to deal with. Charlie horses everywhere hurt but there is something about the location of the esophagus that the pain is ungodly. I can't even describe to people how painful and anxiety provoking these spasms are.  Try the magnesium (400 mg), I noticed things got easier for me with that, papayana enzymes, going gluten free and I went on zoloft. I am still dealing with back and rib pain, but with the decrease in PPI, it has gotten milder. I think I have IBS stuff going on now, I think my GERD is somewhat controlled. The ppi drugs may cause more issues than they help. I will be happy if I can manage everything with Pepcid or Zantac. Keep us posted, my sympathy is with you with these spasms. I wouldn't wish them on anyone.
Posted 7/20/2013 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
DOGGBONES - I was unable to get the spasms to stop after taking calcium channel blocker, nitrates, and anti-spasmodics I had surgery where they performed a myotomy down the esophagus and through the LES (POEM), all done internally so no scars.  Anyway after 3.5 weeks I was finally able to eat and drink without the severe chest pains. At 10 weeks post-op I have actually been able to gain 3 pounds tongue . Good Luck and I hope it all works out well for you. yeah
Posted 7/20/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DOGBONES,

Have you had your gallbladder checked?  My husband has gallbladder problems, and the pain goes through to his back, just like what you're describing.  When he has an attack it's very painful.

Just a thought...

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 7/22/2013 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
erica,

I take a cal/mag with d3 (not sure of mgs at the moment), I may look to increase that. Yes, they are ungodly painful to the point a start thinking that I have a volleyball size tumor in my chest and back (I don't believe thats the case, but your mind screws with you). I take digestive enzymes but may add papayana as well. I do struggle with IBS also, and I read another post here that said some IBS go's lower and some go up.

OHSOBAD,

I'm not know much about the PEOM, so I'll have to do some research on that. I would love to be able to put some weight back on.

Denise,

Thats what I thought aslo. I had a hida scan back in 2007 and my gallbadder was working fine but maybe it's time to check again. They did find a few small pyolps in my gallbadder but said I would be fine and wouldn't cause me any problems but I'm not too sure of that anymore.

I try to stay strong and positive but day after day has a way of breaking ones spirit. I will continue to push through the days in hopes of a better tomorrow, God willing! Thanks everyone for the support!

Posted 7/22/2013 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Doggbones,
Taking Calcium and Magnesium together at the same time can sometimes interferewith the effectiveness from what others have said. Try taking Magnesium in the moring and Calcium (I take citrical petites) at night. The papaya enzymes are tasty as well as effective. I am also still on my combo diet from Koufman and Dr. Norm. I also had an ultra sound of my gallbladder per my doctor and everything was normal.
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