Does anyone else here get spasms in their esophagus? I had an Endoscopy done last week and doctor said I had "strong tertiary contractions" i.e. contractions in the esophagus, I think she meant lower part.
I also have been getting spasms in my throat, in what feels like the larynx and pharynx. I do have LP reflux (larngeal, pharyngeal) and I am thinking the acid causes the spasms. Having both the esophagus spasm and the L and P at the same time has caused me ENORMOUS discomfort. I had trouble breathing and talking and it was really distressing when it happened last night. I finally took a mild sedative and once it kicked in (took a little while), the spasms did subside. But it was really hellish while it lasted... I thought I might stop breathing. It was just so hard to breathe with the throat all tight and then the chest tight from the espohagus spasming down lower.
Has this ever happened to anyone else and if so, what did u do for it? I dont want to have to keep taking a Xanax like medication to alleviate it as it makes me drowsy and also depressed as it wears off. My doctor basically said nothing can be done about the spasms... seemed to be saying "Live with it" in a way. Said anxiety causes them but I am not so sure of that. There msut be SOMETHING that can be done. I was really close to calling 911, thats how hard it felt to breathe.... some of it might have been anxiety from all the spasming, but still, it was a very very upsetting experience and now I am living in fear of the next one.
Any help or advice is appreciated. I didnt die (obviously) but it sure felt like I might.
Hi Farmgirl, I have had the spasms since 1981. I will go thru periods that I don't have any at all and then I will get them every night. I know what causes them sometimes, and that is the ibuprofen I take for headaches. I won't take an ibuprofen unless I absolutely have to. I just deal with them, I know they can feel like a heart attack, and when I first had them it scared me to death. Sounds crazy, but when I get them, I eat soda crackers, and slowly drink some water. It does help, at least it helps me, and if nothing else, it takes my mind off of them.
Are you going to a gastroenterologist? If not, you probably ned to see one. I have heard there are things that can be done to help this. Take care..
I have seen 2 Gastro docs and the one did an Endoscopy on me a few weeks ago. She said my espohagus spasms/contracts a lot but that there is no treatment and is likely due to anxiety.
Then I started experiencing what feel like spasms in my pharynx. It was so bad and I had trouble breathing, and was a little scared, so I went to the ER. This was Thursday. They didnt really do anything for me and said it was due to my acid reflux. Ive had reflux for years and never had such a severe spasm and where I had trouble breathing either. So anyway, I went to an ENT doctor the very next day where he did a Layrngoscopy (sp?).... looked into my throat and vocal cords and said vocal cords looked ok.
He thought it was the pharynx spasming, as did I. I was concerned about this being able to kill me because it is so severe when it happens, I have trouble talking and breathing but he shook his head when I asked that (if it could kill me). I have been taking an anti-anxiety med to help quell the spasms.
So i have the spasms in the pharynx and then down further in my esophagus. WHen they happen at the same time, it is very very distressful. Its the bottom part of my esophagus that spasms so I feel it more in my chest, like near the breastbone area. Then the pharynx starts up and the 2 combined is very bad. I take the benzodiazapine medication to loosen up the spasms and it usually works but I cant go on living this way. The med makes me drowsy and also depressed too.
I have looked into low Magnesium and/or Calcium causing this and am taking extra Magnesium right now. Im in treatment for recovery from Lyme Disease and some digestive disorders. Ive done some reading online and have read that you can die from spasms in the pharynx?? I hope I read that wrong and that it was associated with something else. This is really unnerving me and Im afraid of having to give up my job.
I take reflux meds, which dont work for me, and take many natural remedies given me by an excellent Homeopathic doctor I see. Im getting pretty down about this and not sure what to do. Dont want to go to the ER again but i might if i get it really bad once more. There has to be something that can be done instead of popping a mild tranquilizer....? Ive already changed my diet drastically, lost 65 pounds, sleep with a wedge under my pillow, dont wear tight clothes, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, dont smoke or drink and drink as much water as I can. What else can I do??
Hi FG, I am so sorry you are feeling so down from this as well as having to go thru it. First off, I want to tell you what has been told to me. You can get Botox in the esophagus for this condition, and it does work, at least from what I have read and heard from my Doctor. As to why I don't get it (Botox), is a long story so I will try to keep it short. Back in 1981, I could not swallow, nothing, not even water. I got a dilitation of my esphagus and it ruptured my esophagus in 3 different places. I almost died from the whole thing, and having all that repaired was very painful, I was in the hospital for 17 days, could not eat or drink, they were feeding me with tubes. Long story short, I just don't want anything done to me anymore as far as my esophagus goes, so I SUFFER. I have acid reflux horribly, and I am now afraid it will cause cancer in my esophagus it is so bad. I have taken every medicine known to mankind for the acid, and am currently taking prevacid. It has gotten so bad that I am now reconsidering the botox. Anyway, know that you are not alone and ask your doc about the botox and if he doesn't know about it, then find another doc that does.
Usually spasms and or cramping of any muscle in the body including the esophagus is caused by a lack of magnesium in your system.
Every cell in your body contains magnesium and about 66% is in the bones.
The daily requiement is 400 mgm and if you buy a type that you can take in at least 3 doses daily -- you will get better absorption.
And, taking too much will cause loose stools --- it is in several laxatives. It is also in alot of foods but for some reason it is an easily lost mineral. I have read that some nutritional experts think 75% of people lack magnesium in there system.
I suggest you read some of the thread at the top of this Page-- "Gerd Suffers -- I Feel Good-- Let me tell you why". Bluepumkin suffered for 9 years with a hiatal hernia that was cured by magnesium.
The problem is very similar to yours!!
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