Oesophageal Spasm, first one

The doctor on A&E probably thought you might be having some form of heart attack too, because chest pains need to be checked out.

?It is very traumatic and your system will take time to recover, but it is such an individual thing that I do not think anybody can say when it will subside.

There are medications that can help some people with these, but it is also important to try and work out what might have triggered it off, perhaps something that you ate that stuck at the bottom of your oesophagus by your diaphragm, perhaps?

?Are you having trouble with food not progressing through into your stomach and getting lodged in your chest area?

So sorry you had an awful night in A&E, the chest pain can be excruciatingly painful and, does mimic heart attack pain. Unfortunately they are not usually a one off. You may have a recurrence of the chest pain which is associated with spasms in your oesophagus. I’m experiencing them a lot at the moment. There seems to be no pattern to the spasm occurring in my case but, they are varied in length of discomfort. I can understand you are absolutely wiped out, leaves you exhausted. Have you been having acid reflux attack’s frequently prior to the chest pains. Feel better soon x

That sounds familer.

When it happens again (and it will) the trick is not to panic.............and slow your breathing down.

In the early days I found milk helped (by the pint) and Gavascon liquid drink, NOT the double action stuff as that is too thick and takes Way too long to go down.

You have a whole lot of tests coming your way to find out what's going on, aswell as trying to convince your GP that you're not imagining it.

Tests I had (not in order) CT scan, MRI scan, Ultrasound looking for gaul stones, Angiogram to check the heart wasn't gummed up and then 2 x endoscopy (camera down the throat) - the second one after yet another visit to A+E when they plugged drips into me as I was dehydrated. There will also be Barium swallows (easy peasy test). The Final test is usually a pressure test (can't remember what it's called) where you have a very thin tube put in your throat via the nose and you drink measured amounts of water while they measure something.

The food pipe is basically a muscle, so things like Deep Heat or Voltoral and paracetomol should help with the lingering pain.

You will get through this.

Where abouts on the planet are you as there might be someone near who is further along.

Best of luck.

Chris

You can try high strength magnesium and VB. These have proven to really help spasms. Also, I find when a spasm hits, a good gulp of ice cold water can stop it instantly. (Warm works for some also).... Just a short term suggestion.... Wishing fair winds your way.

N.  

I feel for you, the pain is excruciating and I can only agree with Chris’s reply & Nettie Noo. Noo & others. This won’t be the first but you will get to cope as painful as it is. I find milk helps me, I now take some in a flask if I go out. I know I can’t eat any form of bread & cakes as that definitely triggers it off. I took holy communion Sunday & thought the little wafers would be ok instead of bread. Wrong, I had excruciating pain & drank loads of milk but it takes awhile to settle down then sheer exhaustion. I have had all the tests & an operation but after a year I had to have Botox injections, was every 4 months but now every 6 months next one due 30/4 Which I know I need. The hardest thing is to find out what triggers it off. I only drink decaf drinks, I used to enjoy a glass of wine or G & T but now I only drink water. If I have  fizzy drink before eating I am in agony so  wil only have a fizzy drink after a meal. Trouble is we all suffer differently in what we eat but the pain is the same. I feel so much for you, thank goodness we have this forum, it has helped me so much. Thinking of you.  Cathie

Hi, I agree we all have different foods or, drink that we don’t tolerate well. I’m just on an Ensure diet at the moment. But, I find that a cup of coffee absolutely punishes me something awful. I’ve read a lot of posts regarding the banana trick and, for me personally I can in know way even digest a banana, I so wish I could as it seems to help a lot of others with spasms. And, wraps are a definite NO NO for me as I find they just stick to the inside of my oesophagus like wallpaper and, take forever to go down. My little special comfort food on a bad day is grated cheese meted in hot milk, I call it cheesy dip 😊 with a little bread that soaks the milky cheese up, very comforting. I think we all grasp at straws though in the hope that something will ease that horrific pain. When able I graze little and, often because if I go long periods of time without I suffer more acid reflux. I was told my The dietitian that broccoli is actually very acidic which surprised me. Wouldn’t it be a great idea if we all put our little tricks together, a little comfort cook book for us sufferers to try and, test. Maybe even raise some money for all Achalasia sufferers 😊

Hi Lydia. OMG I so feel your pain. It's scary for you and those around you. I have suffered from Achalasia for 6 years, had every test and surgery. I am still trying to learn to live with it. Recently I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. Another issue (like Achalasia) that  has no definitive reason for happening. My GI specialist prescribed Nitroglycerin for my chest pain. It helps. I have learned lots by trial and error. I have started to keep a diary of when chest pain starts, what did I recently eat/drink and what's going on in my life. They say stress is a trigger also. I find that once I have the chest pain, it usually happens again within 24 hours and yes, the next day is horrible. I wish you luck! Sarah from the USA