DIFFUSE ESOPHAGEAL SPASM- FEEDBACK-

I go to a new doctor on Tues. I hope he has Better answers for me.

nena and retired; I'm just venting, but I hope you both find some relief, some answers. This forum, these people, are such a blessing and all we can do is try to hold each other together as we go through this. None of us has the magic answer; but insight into something counts a lot.

I'll be finding my way; I see my family dr. again this week; he happens to be excellent, I'll see what he has to say. I'm also seeing someone who, I won't say is alternative healer, but she is an MD that has gone her own path...we'll see.

Good luck to you both.
Janice

i was also wondering janice if you dont mind me asking. are you pretty much on liquids or can u eat some solid foods? I couldnt imagine a reconstuction. I will be thinking of you 100% on the day of your reconstuction.

oh ok janice i thought that you couldnt eat. it sounds like a horrible situation and very painful to be in. I am going through some misery myself. I had botox injections almost 4 months ago and the spasms and excessive gas arent allowing me to eat any solid foods at all. I have been on a liquid diet for the past four months. Like i said i go on the 12th to see a doctor and i am hoping for some relief. I dont get my hopes up too much on a cure because ive learned to except the fact that there really is no cure for these spasms. Im hoping that once the botox wears off I can go back to where i was before the injections. I struggled before with eating anything but with patience and time I eventually got some solid foods down. Good luck with your journey and please stay in touch.

LM,
I'd occasionally get chest pains, but not often.

I hope they can find you something to help you. We're here for you.

I was wondering if someone could tell me if they have had the 24 hour bravo test and what did u go through? Anyone have botox injections? where were they injected and did you have any side effects from them such as excessive gas?

So you didnt experience any pain or diffuiculties joy? I have it done on the 27th and i can barely even drink liquids. im not eating any soft foods let alone any solid foods. Do you think it will still fall off with just liquids?

thank you joy for all the information. its a stuggle everyday and im just trying to get through this. take care and stay in touch.

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Thank god first of all, I had the ph bravo test with no complications. A lot of heartburn and acid reflux but I am now back on my acid meds. Thank you everyone for the support. Ill keep you posted with the results and what the doctor has to tell me. I go back on this wednesday for the follow up appointment for the results of testing and what he can do to help me. Thank you again.

I just posted today "Garlic cured my Gerd/Reflux

Essophogeal spasms I fogot to mention but was definitely one of my symptoms as well that now appers to be gone..

A week ago I was taken to the ER with horrific spasms. I had horrible vomiting from just swallowing my saliva. I was given an endoscopy under sedation after they tried many drugs to try to stop the pain. The scope showed two strictures with a blockage and alot of inflammation. I never did get to directly talk to the GI who relayed the diagnosis to my husband and daughter. In two weeks I go back to discuss a balloon dialation. I am on opramazole 2x a day. I am on a soup/mashed potatoes and farina diet. I feel very weak and run down from both the lack of food and I still feel achy/sore from the whole experience. I think I actually felt better two days after than I do today a week later. I am not sure the meds are working. I have a very big "irritation" in the back of my throat. I had a hoarse voice for four days. I saw my regular physician today and I am being sent for precautionary blood work tomorrow to check out the fatigue, etc. My spasms have been around for several months but only lasted a few minutes and I never had vomiting before. Every time in the past that I had them I was always in a stressful situation and trying to eat fast when the spasms hit. I am very worried about the next scope. I was told their was a specific scope (glidescope??)that I was supposed to let drs know I needed because they has problems with the scope and jaw-opening issues. I am hoping this is all in the records! Overall its been a hellish 7 days and I cannot believe the spasms I thought were managable led to this! Any suggestions for something other than soft potatoes, rice, soup? Is dairy ok? The drs were vague except for what I shouldn't eat and those things are mostly common sense (no meats, spices,tomatoes, raw veggies,caffeines, etc.) I already am usually careful with diet because I also suffer from Intersitial Cystitis. The occasional spaghetti and meatballs, salad and bread are things that can do me in. So I know I had to be careful even before this nasty episode. ANyone find the dilalation helpful? I appreciate any words of wisdom and comfort this sight can give me.

Our son, 23, is sleeping on the couch after one horrendous week of DES and a ridiculous stay in the hospital. After three attacks, over two nights, (they always hit at night) of what someone referred to as pain ranked 25 out of 10, we took him to the ER, even though the pain had stopped. Natch, they wanted to call it heart attack but the bottom line, the cardiologist actually found pericarditis (inflammation around the heart) which can be caused by virus or trauma. Couldn't help wondering if the spasms had actually inflamed the heart!
Long story short, he never got past the cardiologist but because of a history of these attacks, we are certain it is Esophageal spasms of the worst kind. LES, the lower esophagus, create the chest pains which radiate down BOTH arms and into the jaw. These last attacks were the most intense and actually came back the next night, which NEVER happened before. Absolutely nothing helped until we found some cough medicine with codeine. Codeine takes 30 minutes to an hour to take effect but it did work.
Of course, we have to pursue this but not sure if we will get anywhere without finding a doctor who studies DES. I am pulling for all of you who are dealing with this obnoxious thing.