Mrs
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Has anyone been diagnosed with Oesphageal spasms? I don't fit into the category of Nutcracker or Diffuse spasms but when they happen (out of the blue) the pain is horrible. Lasts for 2-3hours. I've been keeping a diary with the length of the spasm, how I feel, where I experience the pain etc. Nitro lingual spray does nothing. I've had up to 4 sprays and all I end up with is a headache with no relief from the pain. I've been getting them for over 8years. At first it was a few times a year, then every couple of months. I'm now getting them a couple of times a week. It's so bad I'm counting the days and waiting for it to happen. Have had to cancel so many social engagements. It is really impacting on my life. My Gastroenterologist after years of telling me it's oesophageal spasm says it's not now, also my GP. So just before Christmas I changed my GP and after running more tests that my other GP and Gastro hadn't, she has diagnosed me with the spasms. I'm on Somac 40mg and has told me not eat anything acidic and to drink warm water before every meal. She also advised me to eat 6 small meals a day. I've been adhering to her advice but I've had a few spasms while doing what she advised. Is there anyone out there reading this who has something similar to what I'm experiencing? I would love to chat and get some advice if you have any. I feel very alone with this condition.
0 likes, 14 replies
Robert13450 joanne39326
Posted
Hi Joanne, i use to get horrible spasms in my chest. I also was misdiagnosed for 7 years. I ended up having achalasia type 3. The pain was so intense that I sometimes would get dressed and ready to go to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. To explain what happened with me..... my sphincter at the stomach was not opening properly so food would get backed up then the esophagus would push really hard to get all the food into the stomach. In doing so it created severe pain in my chest. So they removed it, my chest pains stopped. Then I had terrible acid reflux with nothing stopping it so I ended up having 2 surgeries , first did nothing and doctor was a fraud, 2nd was a toupee fondoplication which has helped a great deal.
I was told by one doctor to use peppermint oil , that it relaxes the muscles. Try to stay away from botox injections as they do create scar tissue and don't last. If you have any questions please feel free. Feel better.
ed95295 joanne39326
Posted
My issue might not be the same, but I was prescribed Dicyclomine 20mg for my spasms and it works great. If I felt spasms starting to come on, usually under stress, I would take a half pill then the other half if it didn't seem to be getting better. It works fast too, about 10-15 minutes.
I had been to emergency room for what I thought was a heart attack and was eventually diagnosed with Achalasia. This medication helped me a lot during the months up to my surgery and I still use a half tab every now and then (less than once every 3 months).
I hope this helps.
joanne39326 ed95295
Posted
Thank you again, Jo
AlanJM joanne39326
Posted
Spasms can get caused by the nerve system being interrupted, by blockages in the system, reflux or sometimes other causes. People try Buscopan, Calcium Channel Blockers (like Tildiem or Nifedipine), Nitrates or peppermint oil in hot water but you need to take the medication in consultation with a doctor re side effects and dosage. Sometimes it is to do with blood supply which is why some people have found Viagra / Cialis helpful.
Some people find that eating a banana helps.
I am not medically qualified. I can quite understand how you end up worrying about the next attack coming, but tension in the system does not help, so relaxation can be helpful, which is easier said than done, and that is why some people try alternative/ complementary therapies aimed at relaxation or acupuncture.
Do not do them all at once though! It seems to be a very individual / personal thing as to how people get affected and what helps.
joanne39326 AlanJM
Posted
Hi Alan, really appreciate your time and feed back. Yes, the headache is from the spray... I've tried channel blockers to no avail. Can I ask if you have been diagnosed with oesophageal spasm or Achlasia as I know they are 2 different conditions. Thanks again. Jo
AlanJM joanne39326
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I've never had either, but I have picked up no end of useful information form the Achalasia Support group so I pass it on! I heard from a couple of people who have been in other countries where it is legal and medical cannabis helped them, but that is one of the more difficult options for understandable reasons!
?Some people do not have the spasms a all, and for some the spasms cease after surgery; and for others they still have trouble after surgery but sometimes no so intense. It seems to be the body's protests at something unnatural happening inside.
joanne39326 AlanJM
Posted
Hi Alan, I have not been diagnosed with Achalasia. My new GP says it is oesophageal spasm but I am so confused with it all. I would like to know if there is a trigger but I can't work mine out if indeed there is or maybe it is a functional thing? In any case I have a whole list of questions to fire at my GP again. Thanks again for your time. Jo
AlanJM joanne39326
Posted
I think that the tests you probably need to have, or the results analysed if you have had them already, are an endoscopy, to see whether there is some kind of physical obstruction or stricture that is causing the problem; a barium swallow to see whether your swallowing function down into your stomach is working effectively; and high resolution manometry which measures the pressure at various points down your oesophagus. Those are the conventional, normal tests when achalasia is suspected.
But there are other conditions, like oesophageal asthma, that might cause problems, and I think you really need to be referred to a specialist centre for these investigations to be undertaken, which I suppose might be a second opinion in your case. I am sorry if I have stated things that you have already covered.
The treatment thus far seems to be concerned with giving you medication to soften the effect of the spasms. This may be realistic if the underlying cause has not been fully ascertained. I suppose that what I am saying is that diagnosing the underlying cause is important, if at all possible.
joanne39326 AlanJM
Posted
Hi Alan,
?I have had an Endoscopy late last year, barium swallow but not the Manometry test. I guess that might be suggested to me once I start asking more questions as I don't think there is a clear diagnosis here.
AlanJM joanne39326
Posted
If the barium swallow shows a normal progression of food at a good speed, then probably the manometry would not be necessary. For most people with achalasia, the barium swallow shows a very distinctive narrowing at the base of the oesophagus, blocking food from going through. This is known as 'bird's beak'. There is a picture in 'A Patient's Guide to Achalasia' that you can download from the website of the Oesophageal Patients Association under The Oesophagus and Achalasia.
?If you do not have this pattern of difficulty swallowing, the chances of having Achalasia are much reduced.
joanne39326 AlanJM
Posted
Hi Alan,
Thanks again for your info. I have never ever been told I have Achlasia. The first time I ever heard this word was here in the forum. I've been doing more reading and have found more info that was not explained in other web sites on Nutcracker spasms. I was always under the impression that these spasms were always related to food getting stuck somewhere in the oesphagus but the spasms don't necessarily have anything to do with food (which is my case).
AlanJM joanne39326
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joanne39326 AlanJM
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Thanks Alan for your reply. When I see my GP I'm going to ask for a referral to this Professor I found on the web site that offers Manometry tests. I have nothing to lose. I'm hoping at least he has seen so many patients like me that he will pin point my problem and get me onto the correct meds to hopefully keep the spasms under control. And hopefully without the Manometry test which looks 😱. But I'll do what I have to do to get to the bottom of this!
Gilcrm joanne39326
Posted