Question:
Gastric spasms??? I am almost 4 years post...

Hey everyone. I just had yet another gastric spasm tonight. I have one about once, sometimes twice a year. It mimics gall bladder pain but I have had that out. It is HORRIBLE! It comes in waves like contractions and lasts for a few hours. The only relief I can get unfortunately is going to the ER and getting a G.I. Coctail that numbs my mouth, esophagus and stomach. We cannot figure out what triggers these. Luckily it only happens once a year for me. However this is the second time this year. I thought it might be dehydration. I was a tiny bit dehydrated but nothing serious. They always do x-rays and blood work but it comes out normal. I can handle a LOT of pain but these make me actually whimper and curl up in the fetal position. Its not a hernia, not an ulcer.. just the muscles around my stomach start to contract like labor pains... man.. owie! Then it is over in a few hours only to never happen for another year. Anyone else ever experience this? Hugs, Dana    — danabky (posted on September 7, 2004)

September 7, 2004
I have something that sounds similar that was diagnosed as esophageal spasms. I never had them as a pre-op. They are intensly painful... curl up on the floor, pant, sweat, and prepare to die painful... but then after a few hours they disappear as quickly as they came. I think that stress triggers mine. I haven't had one for awhile, and it may be because I've started taking Wellbutrin, and my stress level has gone WAY down.
   — mom2jtx3

September 7, 2004
I've had simular pains SINCE my gallbladder was removed. Much worse than gallbladder pain ever was. With 15 surgeries, MANY complications, I'm no stranger to pain. These are at least a nine. Brutal. Mine almost always start just when I lay down at night before going to sleep. The pain is like a hard punch to the stomach. Then with the pain, a numbness that goes up into my chest and the pain in the stomach, back and chest make breathing shallow and painful. Talking is most difficult. These deathlike pains last 3-4.5 hours. I don't bother to go to the ER anymore as they slap an IV in, throw me in a room alone for 2-3 hours before any doctors come in to see me. By then it is over and to late to find out what is going on. I go to a clinic and get whatever doc is there. One thought an ulcer. Now another doctor thinks it is an espogal spasam as it almost ALWAYS happens just when I lie down. Anyway, I'm taking Nexium. Usually that will stop the pain cold, or keep it from happening. I usually get this around 4-6 times a year and live in fear. I'm getting to the point that I wonder if a few years down the road if we will all find out the WLS has caused other problems to shorten our lives. I know I've never had any energy since wls and have a series of smaller health problems and weird pains. Oh well. Hope we all get relief and find out what is doing this.
   — Danmark

September 7, 2004
I had the spasms before surgery and haven't had one since. Actually ended up in the hospital with one because I thought I was having a heart attack. I have a co-worker who has them regularly and has not had bypass surgery...doesn't even need it as a matter of fact and I had an uncle who had the same problem. I was told that reflux can cause the spasms since it is dumping acid on the esophagus ---- guess it makes sense that acid would make something go into spasm. The co-worker I referred to above told her that the spasms could also be caused by high levels of stress. Haven't figured that one out yet but I know she sure is in pain from them.
   — scbabe

September 7, 2004
Does it take your breath away? Wait. I know severe pain does. But what I mean is does it actual prevent breathing? I was subject to those for awhile, and it was diaghram, we think. And it was prolly due to meds I was taking over the long haul.
   — vitalady