esophageal spasms anyone?
this is long--sorry. but at 8 months out i was diagnosed with esophageal spasms. and having trouble all summer with what i thought was acid reflux or an ulcer. i have had all tets and nothing found. but i was dizzy nauseated, hurting between shoulder blades(no gallbladder anymore) and the worst burning down my throat and under breastbone. i'm scared. i have had to be on a pic line. supposed to be for 1 month. that means no food or drink. so far it's almost 2 wks. i'm hungry, and real thirsty, but the dr.(not original surgeon--he quit) wants to shut down my digestive system and esophagus to see if something will heal or stop. so far i don't feel any change.my pcp's nurse told me yesterday they are scared because they don't know what is going on(neither dr. willconsult or call each other) i'm sick of being in middle.then she said you may never be able to eat again.and after i get off of this that the surgeon should send me to a place like cleveland clinic. well, he is 3 hours from me and i spent 4 days down there alone in hospital getting this in and reg.i just don't know where to turn. i'm scared this is all for nothing and i'll have to end up 4 hrs. away in another hospital. anyone else had any of this. i really need to hear, please. i've been crying for 2 days. thanks and sorry so long, my bf just asked me if we have any pancake syrup. he is making me upset eating in front of me always. hugs----kath b.
Gosh, Kath, that is horrible!!!!
I can't help but wonder what information is missing here, however.
I had ES a few years ago and medication controlled it nearly immediately. Has your doctor tried medication(s) to stop the spasms?
Have you seen a cardiologist? The esophogus muscle is "connected" to a heart muscle. The spasm mimics the other. So, while you may think you have one problem, you have the other. In my case, we did an angiogram and when the catheter went into that section of my heart the spasms started immediately. All was clear and this indicated without question that my heart was fine but that I was suffering from ES.
There are also some fantastic drugs for colon spasms, etc.
I have lived with chronic abdominal pain and illness since the age of 15 or 23 years. After a recent internal hernia repair and removal of adhesions in June of 2006, I was experiencing severe intestinal spasms. Because it was interfering with eating, I lost 14 pounds in 4 weeks and I was already under "goal." I didn't have 14 pounds to lose!!
I had a CT Scan. It appears there are three "suspicious areas" in my small intestine that they are calling "loops"; however, I have no blockage at this time and my doctor reports this is not uncommon in post surgery patients (whether GP, or other abdominal surgery such as the surgery I had in June). So rather than going back into the abdominal cavity (surgery) immediately, we had the option of trying alternative treatments- It took a few weeks and a few expensive medications but we've finally found one that works. I'm feeling much better and I've gained some much needed weight..not to mention that I feel better because I can nourish my body.
You can read my profile for more information or contact me.
Please keep yourself informed. Research your condition/illness/ as well as possible treatment options and please do not hesitate to ge a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th opinion (as long as your health isn't jeopardized by waiting or seeking alternative treatment or other opinions).
Best,
Vanessa
no suggah, you are so sweet. i am still having them. but, i won't have my month up till next thurs. i hope i hear from the dr. then and i will suggest. are you still spasm free? good luck i hope your weightloss adventure is going well, and really, thanks for caring. sorry took me so long to get back with you as my brotherinlaw was killed sat. hugs---kath b.
Kathy,
I haven't had my WLS yet (12/7/06 date) but I was having bad esophagial spasms. I thought I was having a heart attack a couple of times from the spasm pain!
I had upper GI's done, they showed a tightening and "exaggerated movement" in the esophagus when I swallowed. I went to a internal specialist that put me on CARDIA (Cardizem or Cartizem), it's a heart medication for high blood pressure. She said it would cause my muscles to relax and control this spasm plus lower my B/P a bit (it was a tad high anyway) - she was right, it works for me.
I can't take the whole 120mg capsule sometimes, not always, it makes me feel ... airy... I can't explain it, probably a lower B/P than I need, so I take half the "beads" which are time released, per day instead of the whole capsule full of beads. Without Cardia, I have spasms and even water gets stuck, food, anything I swallow, sometimes it really hurts bad.
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