Posted 12/22/2010 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi - I'm new here and read a thread that was really long on DES so I thought I'd start a new one. I was finally diagnosed recently. I've had discomfort after meals for years on and off. In April I started with what I thought was HORRIBLE heartburn. I was put on PPIs, with no relief. I've gone through gas emptying study, Baruim and the Barium Swallow Study, 2 scopes, biopsies, dilation (a "small" one to see if muscles would snap back to working), 2 manometries!! That was the worst test of all!! The results were opposite of heartburn. I had a hypertensive LES with incomplete relaxation and 60% of my swallows are not coordinated. (the 1st manometry was 90% of my swallows were abnormal) The manometry did show spasms. I have since been off of the PPI with no changes to the discomfort. I had to be weaned off of them after being on such high dosages for so long.
So now......I have a diagnosis since November but no relief. I have tried beta blockers - no help there. Nitrate drugs (Imdur- extended release)......um.....considerably better relief but horrible migraines! I almost felt normal. Just yesterday I started on a lower dose of Imdur. Have a migraine for 2 days now but I'm hoping they go away. The relief is definitely not there though so I'm not sure if it will improve with a few days.
I tried peppermint oil (5 drops in a glass of water). It helped while I ate my meal that day - I have pain with every meal. Some worse that others. I also have to be really careful after eating or food will come back up. Hours later I woke up with horrible pain - not sure but I think it was heartburn. I ate a yogurt and the pain went away right away and I was able to go back to bed.
I've read alot of studies and wonder if this is a precursor to Achalasia. Any thoughts? Anything work for anyone?