GERD & Heartburn Support Group

i get those sometimes....my doc sais that on an upper gi,the esophagus looks like a corkscrew! and yes-they hurt!!!!! it helps me if i "pound" on my chest,right in the cneter.....are the docs sure the pain is caused by esophageal spasms? i am surprised nitro helps...i thought nitro opens cardiac blood vessels.....i'd get a 2nd and 3rd opinion about the surgery....i only get the spasms if i eat or swallow too fast....good luck! trish

Trish-
Nitroglycerin is used with esophageal spasms. It is the one non heart related illness that nitroglycerin works in. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator not only for your heart vessels but for the vascular system which then subsquently lowers your blood pressure. It even dilates the vessels in the brain which then usually gives the side effect of the headache also. Th pain has been happening approximately 6-7 times a day. Nitro takes it away. But not wanting to pop nitro like PEZ candies...Something needs to be done....I have the more severe form of esophqgeal spasms the Nutcracker esophagus the pressure in my esophagus is 180mmhg. Equivanlant to pumping up the blood pressure cuff up to the top that is what it feels like in my chest. Mine rarely happen when eating. I had a motility study done to diagnose the condition.

Thanks for your info. I started with spasms Nov 06 and they ran tests all 07 on heart and blood work - then in Nov this year endo shows a severe spot on esophagus but dr then said that did not answer why spasms. I am now eating gerd diet - bland but if I vary at all the spasms are worse - am on Previcid 2 x d and a anti spasm drug - which I thought was not working so stopped it for one day and realized it is helping most of the time so back on it - my next appt is not til Feb and then they are going to discuss the swallow test and a pressure test to see if the scphecter is opening and closing correctly.

I had esophageal spasms and ended up at Mayo Clinic. I went through all the tests and then went on Elavil for a month. That did the trick for me. Hope this helps you.
Becky

Hello everyone-
I have been miserable for the last three days. I have gone through an entire bottle of nitroglycerin (25 tabs) for my irritating esophageal spasms. I went and saw the surgeon and the GI doctor. Both are waiting for the esophagram I have tomorrow. cardio-thoracic surgery consult is for friday. i have failed 7 medications to treat this. This is usually treated medically. Waiting to CT surgery to add their suggestions. Wish me luck tomorrow. Another ride on the rail and subway to NYC.
rn28grace

Update:
I had the esophagram on Thursday. The doctor called me to tell me the esophagram showed NO GASTROPARESIS!! My gastroparesis has disappeared and they have no explaination for it at all. Nor why it resolved and back to normal like a regular person's stomach!! 2nd... they found a TUMOR in the submucosal level of my esophagus. All the doctors think it is benign in nature and character. But for me #1 until it is out of me and 2# until I have the pathology report in my hand that says benign will I be satisified. Some of the doctors think it is causing these severe esophageal spasms and others say no it is not causing them. They are pretty bad. Pretty out of control. But, now it looks like cardio-thoracic surgery is in my near future...Some good and bad news in that mix not sure what was better....But, my chin is up high and I've been through worst in life I can make it through this! Pray for me. I do use you guys as some of my source of strength.
rn28grace

Glad to hear that you have some answers but sorry to hear that you will need surgery and then need to wait for the results. Praying for you.
((HUGS))
Becky

I finally had my motality test and the dr. put me on nitro today. After 1 1/2 years of heart tests and other unrelated tests it is just a relief to know I am sane. Several friends were telling me it was all in my head. I will keep everyone posted on results of nitro along with beta blocker for my valve problem together.

Well, I'm way weird, but I do believe I get esophageal spasm from eating sulfites. It's very dramatic. Ended up in ER after eating 1 tsp balsamic vinegar. Nobody can ever figure this out. The chalk it up to gas. NOT! Sometimes can last a week! So if I can catch it very early, I can sometimes stop the spasm by causing the gag reflex. Put your finger down your throat and wiggle until you get a few really good gags. I found that trick on the internet someplace. Anyway, it's worth a try in a pinch. I've also stopped them with peppermint oil mixed in warm water. But I don't think that's a good thing to do with the ulcers. I'm hoping digestive enzymes will keep them at bay as well. Good luck to you. I know how freaking painful this is.