Esophageal Spasm
 

how many people have died from Esophageal Spasm

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

I don't have an answer to your question, but I have had esophageal spasms since 1981 and I am still here, I don't ever feel like I am going to die, I doubt anyone dies from the spasms. They can be scary if you don't know what they are, but once you know and can deal with them, you should be O.K.. You can take a muscle relaxer to help with the spasms, the esophagus is a muscle.

Sunny

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

I was watching the show "House" the other night and someone had an esphogal spasm and they acted like you stop breathing when you have them. Everyone running around ready to "jump start" the patient. I don't have them often (thank goodness) but I do feel like I might choke to death sometimes. I don't think I have ever heard of any actually dying either although you may feel like it. They are pretty rare.

CharBerry

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

It's extremely unlikely that someone would die from an esophageal spasm. An esophageal spasm may constrict the esophagus and keep food from moving into the stomach, but the esophagus is located below the branch that allows air to move into the trachea, so someone who experiences an esophageal spasm can still breathe (even if it feels like they can't).

A close friend of mine who had advanced Barrett's esophagus would occasionally experience a severe spasm that would make it impossible for him to swallow but he could always breathe during his spasms (even though it took several spasms for him to realize this).

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

Hi, I had 2 episodes of severe pain in my chest in the last 4 days. Both times I was washing my hair when it started. Lasted for 15-20 minutes each time and felt like sharp rocks in my upper center chest, I was vomiting, faint and dizzy and it and gradually moved upwards towards my throat. I went to emergency yesterday and was told it was esophagus spasms. I am so scared as this was the most severe, scary pain I have ever had and I am afraid it will happen again. I had not eaten anything in about 16 hours each time and do not suffer from acid reflux. I occassionally get heartburn but not very often. Has anyone experienced such severe pain related to esophagus spasms? Thanks.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

Hi, I have had them that bad, when I didn't know what they were of course it scared me, which it would scare anyone. I have had them now since 1981, so I am not scared anymore, but they really are annoying. You can take a muscle relaxer for them, I take flexeril, I usually take it at bedtime because it will make you sleepy, but you can also try cutting one in half to see if that will work. Also, I know this sounds laughable, but...I always eat soda crackers when I get the spasms, for some reason the crackers help. Of course if you are throwing up, that won't work. But if you can, give it a try...can't hurt to try.

Sunny



[QUOTE=goofienewfie;3939565]Hi, I had 2 episodes of severe pain in my chest in the last 4 days. Both times I was washing my hair when it started. Lasted for 15-20 minutes each time and felt like sharp rocks in my upper center chest, I was vomiting, faint and dizzy and it and gradually moved upwards towards my throat. I went to emergency yesterday and was told it was esophagus spasms. I am so scared as this was the most severe, scary pain I have ever had and I am afraid it will happen again. I had not eaten anything in about 16 hours each time and do not suffer from acid reflux. I occassionally get heartburn but not very often. Has anyone experienced such severe pain related to esophagus spasms? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

These spasms are very diverse and in my case it’s the most painful thing I have experienced and is gradually getting more frequent. My Doctor got so concerned he sent me straight to the emergency dept of the local hospital as he thought I was having a heart attack. The pain can be extreme and the location of the offending muscle can cause the spasm to imitate the symptoms of angina. The pain is identical and can be very extreme though it does not register on an ECG or appear to cause any damage to the heart.
I am on a variety of medications anti acid medication and painkillers as well as a nitro spay, to be honest they do not fully curb the pain. I get dizzy and faint, some time the pain lingers all day and other days are fine.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

My gastroenderologist told me that the spasms are not life threatening, probably won't get worse or better. Mine are very irregular, time wise and strength

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

Twice I had spasms that lasted more than 40 minutes. The first time I went to emergency (hadn't been diagnosted yet) and they did a bunch of tests but didn't figure it out. They were very painful - but it always ends by itself, usually in less than 10 minutes. Scary, but no life threatening.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

To those having spasms, have you tried magnesium supplements? Mag is critical to proper muscle functioning. I had sudden onset of acid reflux and started taking Prilosec and supplementing with Pepto and Gaviscon, but I still had weird symptoms, including occassional soreness in my chest and some breathing issues if the flare up was bad enough.

I eventually read about the effects of mag deficiency and started taking a 500mg supplement and my problems went away completely and immediately. It literally cured me. My doc thought I might have nutcracker syndrome or spasms, as well, although I never had the kind of pain you all are talking about. It's something you might want to try or at least read up about.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

[QUOTE=CharBerry;3920931]I was watching the show "House" the other night and someone had an esphogal spasm and they acted like you stop breathing when you have them. Everyone running around ready to "jump start" the patient. I don't have them often (thank goodness) but I do feel like I might choke to death sometimes. I don't think I have ever heard of any actually dying either although you may feel like it. They are pretty rare.

CharBerry[/QUOTE]



Hi, I know this is a little off topic question. But since I also suffer with esophagus spasm, I'm really curious about which season and episode of house your are talking.

Alexandra

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

When I lay down I must have these spasms from pressure in the esophagus. My blood pressure and pulse go up but when I sit up for awhile it stops. Some days I cannot swallow others I am good. Some days I feel like I have sores in my esophagus. The pain I had the other night sent me to the ER and they thought I had a pulmonary embolism but a CT with contrast ruled that out. [U]I have blood in my mouth[/U] upon waking up and I do not know if it is my teeth or coming from my esophagus or a abcsess? Weird stuff happening to me. Now I am on protonix I was on tagament, and prilosec. He also prescribed Cefuroxime twice daily for a possible infection, but I am worried. I am trying to arrange a endoscope, but I now the CT showed a abnormal Thyroid gland, so i need to check into that also.

Dee

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

I have these. Really, really hard core spasms in my esophagus. It is the most unbelievable pain ever. It usually starts when I swallow something and it "goes down the wrong way". First, I feel like i have swallowed a rock but instead of it just going down hard I start to sweat and I can't swallow. Then I get a lot of saliva in my mouth all at once, sort of like I might vomit. But I don't ever actually vomit. I usually have a good 5 -10 seconds to get somewhere where I can sit down (usually I end up face first in the floor). I try to swallow and breath but both seem cut off.

All of this sounds like the severe ES that everyone describes on the forms. Here is where I feel like mine is different:

Once I sit down and it really kicks in I am totally and utterly unable to communicate. I usually have some seconds of intense pain where I feel like I could be having a heart attack. I always feel sort of like I am dying, though I know I have survived this before. Then, I completely black out. I mean, I am out! I usually only stay out for a minute or so but it feels like 10 minutes. Typically, when I come back around it is because I realize that I am suffering from this amazing, intense pain ravaging my whole body but mostly my chest. Once I come out of the black out I still cant move for about 5 minutes. When I say I can't move I mean I can hardly lift a finger, much less my whole head or talk or anything like that. Oh yeah, and I sweat like a maniac right as I come out of the black out.

Generally, after I get myself together (5-10 minutes) I am just totally drained. [B][U]This has happened to me multi times over the years. I always black out and occasionally have seizures because of it. I am a little worried because no one on here has mentioned any black outs or seizures. Any thoughts? [/U][/B]

I don't have insurance or money so I can't even see a doctor about this. [B][U]Should I be concerned about any perm. damage or anything? [/U][/B]

I have realized from reading this that I have these spasms more than I realized at first. Before I just thought the "feels like I swallowed a rock" thing happened to everyone and it wasn't abnormal. Now I see that these too are variing degrees of spasms. Sure would be a GREAT time to have some insurance....

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

My Nutcracker-level spasms started just two weeks ago. I don't know what brought them on. The doctor recognized the symptoms (after ruling out a heart attack, which is what it had all the symptoms of) by giving me a "cocktail" of numbing meds to drink when an attack happened in his office. The med killed the pain within 3 minutes. However, he didn't suggest anything except a stronger antacid.

My spasms don't seem to be food related exactly. In two cases of the hardest attacks, they occurred after I lay down in bed. I now only sleep sitting up on the couch. Not a favorite solution for my wife! But I have no choice. The attacks are excruciating and they can go on for hours. Eventually, I give in and take 2 or 3 Benedryl to knock me out (sitting up) when I awaken, the attack is over.

Has anyone found that the acid/alkaline balance of the foods they eat is a factor in their spasm attacks? One bit of information I found suggested that the mis-firing of the esophagus is related to the overall pH balance in your body (which leads to acid stomach and body aches). I'm trying to focus on more alkaline foods - more green veggies, drinking lemon/lime juice in warm water, taking apple cider vinegar before eating, etc.

The attacks have become less frequent - one per day instead of 3 - 4 per day. Any advice or suggestions you might have will be GREATLY appreciated.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

Spasms are frequently caused by heartburn, so taking action to limit heartburn may reduce spasms. That said, I limit my heartburn as much as possible (I've had surgery as well as take meds) and I've had to call an ambulance 3 times in the last 4 days due to spasms.

The fact that you get spasms after lying down makes me strongly suspect heartburn trigger in your case. Try taking antacids or Gavescon before/after eating and before bed. Tilt your bed by putting bricks under the legs at the head end. Avoid spicy food, alcohol, fizzy drinks, citrus fruit juices, black coffee and don't eat just before going to bed.

I'm surprised that you are drinking lemon/lime juice, as these are acidic. I love them too (preferably in a margarita!) but make sure I've taken my omeprazole first. Vinegar too is pure acid but I think I've read elsewhere cider vinegar can be beneficial. I used to take a lot of omega 3 supplements and omega 3 rich food, but these days I don't get too fussed, it seems to me most spasms just happen when they happen, including my recent bout. The pain is immeasurable and on the last two occasions, including today, I was given a morphine shot. That does the trick but hardly a long term solution. Back to the consultant on Tuesday!

Re: Oesophagal Spasm
 

So good for others to have shared their experiences at this "crucial" time. I am in the middle of my second only "attack". Last was 2.5 years ago at dinner with mates drinking red wine and eating rare steak. Guess what I was doing this evening? Well, actually with my wife.

I normally chew my food alot. In fact, friends and family joke how long it takes me to finish a meal. I do this because I enjoy my food, not for any medical reason.

Steak is not a food you can chew to a pulp. Is that the reason I wonder?

Anyway, I'm 60kg and very fit cyclist of 53 years. I just took a break from typing this because I wanted to be sick, but didn't.

I've had the attack for the past 90 mins or so. It is not as intense as at the beginning, but I daren't swallow for fear of making the pain return, so have a spitoon! Lovely!!

Other correspondents appear to have much worse symptoms, so don't feel sorry for me! I just thought I'd share the painful experience. I've managed to convince my wife it is not a heart attack, and that I'm feeling better - gradually.

No more steak for me unless it's minced.

I'll pop up again if I have another attack to see if there is a common theme for me, or if there is another possible cause.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

I too have been having attacks like this but no other symptoms like burning or difficulty swallowing. Just simply chest pain in behind my breast bone and some in my back. It doesn't seem to be related to food and there is no pattern. They come any time of day no matter what I am doing and last anywhere from 2 min to 1 hr. I haven't found anything that helps yet all I do is bend down and lean over the toilet as though I am vomitting but I am not nore do I feel like I have to. I know that sounds funny but I was suffering from gallstone attacks about 6 mths ago where I would vomit, so when I started getting this pain again just not as severe I automatically went to the bathroom. I know it is not the gallbladder because I had it removed in Oct then started having attacks again 3 weeks after my surgery. The GI dr sent me for a scope where he found that I had gastritis but when I had a follow up appt early in the month he said it seemed better and that I could go off the drugs, Domperidone and a PPI. Everything was fine for a little over a week and then BAM, another attack. I am so frustrated with all of this. It all started after having my second child in April last year and the GI dr seems to just be giving up on me. Also, I have been taking Vitamin C because of low platelets and just recently read that vitamin C can make the spasms worse so I am going to stop them for now and see if the spams settle down. I see my family dr next week hopefully I can get some answers.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

[QUOTE=frustrated mom7;5124287]I too have been having attacks like this but no other symptoms like burning or difficulty swallowing. Just simply chest pain in behind my breast bone and some in my back. It doesn't seem to be related to food and there is no pattern. They come any time of day no matter what I am doing and last anywhere from 2 min to 1 hr.[/QUOTE]

I've had similar issues for a couple years now. One "attack" was so bad I went to the hospital. Turns out I was having a mild panic attack, and that the anxiety is triggered by or associated with the heartburn, either because I'm thinking about it too much or it's just a physical response to the irritation caused by anything like alcohol, caffeine, overeating, etc.

In any case, they prescribed me Xanax (as needed) and Clonazepam (daily). This helped my symptoms tremendously and gave me confidence that I could go out without getting an attack (or if I felt an attack coming I could just pop a xanax to squash it). These are not drugs I wanted to be on, but they helped until I was able to recover and control it on my own. I still take the Xanax as needed (it's only .25mg), but it's been a lifesaver.

Ask your doc about trying these meds as a way to cope, then after you've been symptom free for a while you can try to go off of them. I eventually got off the PPI, too, but have been back on it lately because I overdid the eating and drinking around the holiday. I've had to cut out alcohol and caffeine from my diet completely for the past month. Seems to take weeks for my body to go back to being symptom free after a few episodes of heartburn/anxiety, but after this i may stay away from the alcohol and coffee full-time. The anxiety issue is definitely associated with my stomach problems, because I am otherwise a very happy stress free person in good health and not overweight. Hope this helps.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

[QUOTE=1sunny1;3920016]I don't have an answer to your question, but I have had esophageal spasms since 1981 and I am still here, I don't ever feel like I am going to die, I doubt anyone dies from the spasms. They can be scary if you don't know what they are, but once you know and can deal with them, you should be O.K.. You can take a muscle relaxer to help with the spasms, the esophagus is a muscle.

Sunny[/QUOTE]

I found that taking Mg in various forms citrate or gluconate prevents me from having spams. When I said spasms, not sure whether they re vaso- or esophageal..? Would Mg be sensitive to only ones i.e vaso- spasms of coronary arteries or as muscle relaxer is not specific because it can also calm esophageal spasms..- does smn. know that? In the past had 2x checked into ER for what supposed to be esophageal ones.

Re: Esophageal Spasm
 

I love having this board and reading all the posts knowing I'm not alone. I'm so sorry all of you are going through this as well. I have an emergency kind of appt. this morning for my ES. I was diagnosed last month when I had a pain in my chest that felt like I was punched in my chest.

Since I was diagnosed and put on medication along with magnesium I have been having more symptoms. The most concerning one is that I initially felt like a lump was in my throat and I was trying to breathe and eat around it. I now feel like something is stuck in my throat. I have been having a feeling as though my esophagus is full and once its full my food lays at the back of my throat. I can feel small pieces of my food really back there.

I am now feeling out of breath and my heart races when I lean forward or go up and down my stairs. I was at the grocery store yesterday and felt as though I was going to pass out. I am so discouraged because there doesn't seem to be much I can do to make this better. I'm constantly swallowing my saliva to try and dislodge something knowing all along that nothing is really there. So now I'm concerned I'm going to get into this new habit not realizing it. I have been eating soft foods only and yesterday I ate a banana which burned my stomach. I have no idea what casused that..

I pray for everyone that muse endure this issue hope you find relief.