Esophageal spasms

I have been dealing with esophageal spasms for many many years. The pain can be excruciating, with terrible pressure built up in my chest. The spasms typically happen in the middle of the night and can last for several hours. The pain comes with the strange sensation of something stuck in my throat and my teeth ache horribly.

When they first started happening, I would go to the ER thinking that I was having a heart attack. After several visits to a cardiologist and multiple tests, my heart has been given a clean bill of health. That is comforting to know, but does little to stop the spasms.

In the past I have managed the spasms by carefully watching my diet and exercising when possible. Eliminating the following seems to help:

Alcohol
Greasy foods
Spicy foods
Caffeine

Lately, my old tricks don't seem to be working. I'm getting frustrated as the spasms are occurring more frequently. Looking for any and all suggestions!

To the best of my knowledge, Esophageal spasms are uncommon. Often, symptoms that may suggest an esophageal spasm are the result of another condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or achalasia, a problem with the nervous system in which the muscles of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) don't work properly. Anxiety or panic attacks can also cause similar symptoms.

Your doctor can often find out the cause of esophageal spasm from your medical history by asking you a series of questions. These include questions about what foods or liquids trigger symptoms, where it feels like food gets stuck, other symptoms or conditions you may have, and whether you are taking medicines for them.

The diagnosis can be confirmed with tests, including esophagus tests (such as esophageal manometry) or a barium swallow. Esophageal manometry uses a small tube attached to instruments (transducers) that measure pressure. A barium swallow is done using X-rays.

Others have also recommended peppermint oil and chugging 2 glasses of very cold water.

I never experienced that, but I do have a lot of back spasms. I take a medicine called Baclofen daily for spasms.

Good luck working through to a diagnosis!

kevans - There are a list of drugs they try for spasms. Have you had a manometry? The manometry will tell you if that is the problem.