oesophageal spasms
Posted , 35 users are following.
hi im just 21 and recently diagnosed with the nightmare that is oesophageal spasm.
I have been getting sharp pains from a young age and the older i have become the worse they get and longer they last.
I have been given nitrolingual spray (usually for angina) from my doctor, however i no there are bad side affects and im scared of using it.
If anyone knows why these symptoms occur and how to help relieve them please please get in contact with me!
0 likes, 65 replies
alli
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Millar901
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I too have been unfortunate to have been diagnosed with this condition after a lengthy and worrying few months of several stays in hospital. I have found that by using my GTN spray in the first instance can after 1 to 3 hits ease the pain and if it doesn't take the edge totally off I take pain releif tablets that are a form off relaxant. Most times this helps and the pain passes. I do find that having the constant pain and strain of this condition takes a lot out of me and effects every aspect of my life. I am presently trying to see if diet can help and the avoidance of fatty food and wheat products do help and reduce the frequency of bad hits. If anyone has any suggestions or experiences I would love to hear about them.
As the condition os quite rare and a lot is not known, does anyone know of any trials taking place as I'd be more than happy to try anything to help relieve the pain.
Guest
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cracker007 Guest
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AlanJM cracker007
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Chiffy31 Guest
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Wheez Guest
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heather76525 Guest
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The he pain is so frequent and painful... I have traveled far to find help without any luck... However, I did find a pain management doctor who has helped me tremendously - I have a little bit of a life again because of him (it's not much though)... My doctor has me on a very low dose of methadone in the morning and at night after I eat... It helps to control the spasm severity only...
schoo
Posted
This is a sense of the oesophagus being stretched taut with a subsequent sense of going to faint. It seems it locks totally and then pulls on my throat until my vision begins to darken and fade. There is no pain associated with this. Sometimes it gets to the point where I really think I am going to pass out and then suddenly it all relaxes and is okay. Each event lasts only about 5-15 seconds but is very uncomfortable. There don't seem to be any after effects.
I don't tend to stress out about it because I figure it will either pass or I will pass out and so what?!
But I'd be grateful to know a) if anyone else experiences this manifestation and b) what can be done about it?
It happens every one or two months at most.
My GP is perplexed and simply doubled my daily dose of lansaprazole (I have reflux and have been on this for some years) from 15 to 30mgs per day. It seemed to work but today I had quite a bad episode.
I am also 66, female and obese but do workout at a gym 2-3 times a week.
regards
schoo
sam28433 schoo
Posted
Hi,
i think I have exactly the same symptoms as you. I do have bareable pain which is often related to what I eat, chocolate and bread are now a no no. Often when I relax I can hear trapped wind being released up my oesophagus. I feel a little better when this happens.
However, often when I drink, especially with food, I can feel it get struck in my chest and it can hurt badly. My sight goes and I feel detached from my surroundings. Eventually I will pass out for a few moments. When I come around, I feel better but I am confused for a few hours.
mine is definitely linked to stress. My Dr's advice when feeling this coming on was to kneel down to prevent hurting myself .
I am on no medication and I am trying to manage it with diet and being aware of how I am feeling. I know that if I put pressure on my stomach the pain will increase. I am 43.
s
AlanJM sam28433
Posted
The painful spams could be linked to the nerve system, and I wonder whether food is being trapped for long periods in your oesophagus because the lower oesophageal sphincter is not releasing food into your stomach efficiently? These problems, like achalasia, do not come into a a GP surgery very often. I cannot explain about passing out unless it is some kind of nerve reaction; or even an insulin spike? I am not medically qualified but it would be an interesting puzzle for a specialist to solve.
Guest
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riss71
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I am to scared to fall asleep since it happend, I thought I was going to die, the pain was awful. :cry: