I have been dealing with what i believe to be esophageal spasms for 2 years. My symptoms include nearly constant chest pain and pressure, extreame tightness and pressure in my lower throat, tachycardia, bloating feeling intermittantly. I have seen GI, ENT, Cardiologist, Rhematologist. All doctors were unable to pin point what was going on with me.
Am dealing with autoimmune pancreatitis and liver inflammation; which have been treated with prednisone. now I am dealing with esophageal spasms. full blown pain,nausea, arms and hands numb, cold sweats and fear. after two trips to the ER, i treated the one i had this morning with two quick swallows of mylanta. this worked in 20 minutes, but what else might work for stopping or preventing these attacks??
I apparently have been have spasms for over 30 years, but was not diagnosed until 6 months ago. I have severe pain in my upper left stomach under the ribs, chest, (like a charlie horse). It is the worse pain I have ever felt! I went to the ER in July after having 5 in one day, and they gave me a GI cocktail and sent me home... I was in tears and frustrated, but had a name for the spasms. They called them "nutcrackers".
Regarding problems swallowing and sensation of “esophagus restricting airflow”. This could be related to esophageal spasms, which is an esophageal motility disorder, usually diagnosed with esophageal manometry or sometimes even with esophagogram or endoscopy. This condition could be isolated, or associated with other conditions, such as inflammatory disorders, neuropathies, diabetes, esophageal reflux disease to mention some.
In many cases, problem such as gastritis and esophageal erosion due to GERD precede the development of esophageal spasms. It's thought that the erosive process allows the acid to penetrate through to the underlying nerves and in some manner irritate them enough to cause spasms of the esophagus. Spasms are the presence of uncoordinated muscular movements within the esophagus that can result in a lot of chest pain that often appears to be connected with the heart.
There have been some studies using trazodone specifically for esophageal spasms with some very good results for some members of the study. But, as with almost every drug, not everyone responded. It's certainly worth a try.
Yes it is possible to have esophageal spasms without have GERD. For instance, eating food that is either hot or cold can trigger an esophageal spasm.
I have had both on and off for years. I am also an RN. Esophageal spasms usually occur due to the damage caused by chronic GERD. I have had esophageal dilation twice with really good results...just make sure you have a specialist do it as there is a danger of perforation. NSAIDS work with any inflammation and some doctors also inject the areas of pain in the sternum for the costochondroitis. Heavy lifting should be avoided.
s happening as often as you describe and has been going on for more than 2 weeks. Esophageal spasms may be a consequence of the acid, but every you mention--the pain/pressure in chest like there's air, the breathing issues, the coughing--all sound like acid reflux. Esophageal spasms are less likely.
has anyone else had esophageal spasms that were a) extremely painful, and lasting for 2 or 3 hours; and b) where the pain is at least slightly alleviated by leaning forward?
thanks.
antibiotics, probiotics, nothing has seemed to help. I am fairly convinced these are esophageal spasms wonder why we haven’t tried Muscle-relaxing drugs including nitrate medications, such as isosorbide (Isordil), nifedipine (Procardia), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) or dicyclomine (Bentyl). I also wonder about Hyoscyamine Sulfate and what about this Heller Myotomy surgery (I’m desperate).
I would first discuss with GI doctor the possibility that you have esophageal spasms. I have that also and addressing this may prevent surgery.Good luck.
Let me add that since having surgery I developed Irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea since the surgery. It is equally or more distressing than gerd.I can not work go anywhere or eat out due to this horrible disease.
I have had what I can only describe as esophageal spasms- they relax when I eat and drink, but then it feels as if my esophagus tightens up 15-20 minutes later and stays that way for hours. It feels like I have food stuck in my throat from my neck all the way to my stomach.
I had a manometry and it was "normal"!??
I had a hard time with the manometry and the tech couldnt' get an accurate resting pressure because I couldn't hold off swallowing long enough.
You have had a pretty thorough evaluation for your symptoms, and given the evaluation by two GI physicians, it is unlikely that I can come up with something new over the internet.
Typically, the treatment for esophageal spasm is with a calcium channel blocker. If the symptoms continue, a nitrate can be added on an as needed basis when the symptoms flare up.
I doubt that its esophageal spasms and I am not convinced that it is esophageal spasms due to you not having any pain. Since everyone I have treated for GERD or the esophageal issues and spasms they all have had some kind of pain or burning sensation. I'm not saying that it isn't your esophagus, but it would be very rare if it is.
Hello again,
I thought I had better give a little more context as there are different types of esophageal spasms. Yours falls under the Acid Reflux or GERD type of esophageal spasms, as opposed to "Diffuse" esophageal spasms (dis-coordinated contractions that keep you from swallowing food correctly).
Typically you will see Nitro tablets as first line therapy, however I find that many patients develop bad headaches after taking them so I try to find other ways of treating it.
I was having pain in my chest which was determined to be esophageal spasms. Protonix worked at first, now I am on it twice a day and still have esophageal spasms. They are getting stronger and the duration has doubled since April. My 'smooth muscle' medicine is no longer working and I reflux everytime I eat, sometime two to three hours after I eat. My lower abdomin feels as if someone stuffed a cement-filled balloon in it and is trying to tie my stomach around it.
Lael, the way to check for esophageal spasms is to have an esophageal manometry study done. Severe chest pains can feel like a heart attack to some. They're not always found during an EGD. When you're sedated as you were for the EGD, the spasms may be 'blocked' from happening. There are a number of meds you can try such as bentyl (and related compounds), nitroglycerin, or specific calcium channel blockers.
Another cath 6 months ago after reporting additional symptoms w/ no stints but additional narrowing of several cardiac arteries. Doc said it could be esophageal spasms but ordered stress test and follow-up every six months for two years. Stress test scheduled for next Weds with follow up appt in early December. Problem: Following last stress test, began walking 1.
I have had the spasms for years.Once when I went to the hospital they gave me a cup of bismuth...The pink stuff.Like Pepto bismal but I buy generic.It stops a spasm within seconds.Because esophageal spasms have the same symtoms as a heart attack they want you to go to emerge every time.This is unrealistic so I figure if I have a big swig of the pink stuff and the spasm stops then it's not the heart.I carry it with me at all times.I have had the spasms at the store,doing dishes sleeping....
Nitro relaxes and dilates vessels, and very good for angina. But can also be used for esophageal spasms, this pain is often described as a substernal squeezing pain and may occur in association with exercise. Such pain may be indistinguishable from angina pectoris.
Esophageal spasms are often difficult to treat, and controlled studies of treatment methods are lacking. The aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms by decreasing pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter.
There can be a variety of problems ranging from achalasia, spastic or diffuse esophageal spasms, to non-specific and secondary esophageal motility disorders (related to scleroderma, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions).
Have you actually seen a person who deals exclusively with dymotility problems? Have you had motility testing? If not, you may want to consider it.
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