Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Esophogeal Spasm

Squeemom2
Squeemom2
Does anyone have them? Last week I had a really bad occurrence of chest pain. It was on the right side and radiated up into my jaw. It happened after I ate and lasted about 30 minutes then subsided and felt almost all the way better by the end of the night. I felt fine otherwise. My heart wasn't beating fast, I wasn't sweaty, didn't feel any other symptoms of a heart attack. I didn't have heartburn or gas or other symptoms of indigestion. But the chest pain was SO PAINFUL. I legitimately almost called 911. I was like a hurt animal. I just wanted to crawl into a corner to be left alone to deal with my pain. And here's where I look like an idiot. This is the third or fourth time this has happened and I haven't called a doctor. As soon as it gets better I think, "Eh, better now, I'm fine." In addition to these episodes of pain I also have episodes of difficulty swallowing. So....has anyone experienced something similar to this? Is it possible that spasms in the esophagus could cause that much pain or am I getting ready to have a damn heart attack at 30? (I should really call my doctor...)
guysgurl
guysgurl
I have them, and they do in fact feel like a heart attack. The first one I had was shortly after I was dx in 2008. It woke me up at 4 am. The severe pain was like a knife inside my chest starting in the center and radiating out to my left side. I couldn't move, get up, roll over either side and I could only breathe in very shallow breaths. I laid there for a minute or so, thinking whatever it was (heartburn, bad dream, gas bubble) would pass any second. I finally called out to my husband and woke him up. I resisted when he suggested we go straight to the ER. He gave me the choice- he was either dialing 911 or he was helping me get to the ER. He had to help me out of bed, get dressed somewhat (put sweats over my pjs) and we went in. If you walk into the ER with chest pain, you don't sit in the waiting room. At least that's what my experience was. They hooked me up, did an EKG, my heart was fine. The dr was very kind. He told me it was an esophageal spasm and could have been MS related. His opinion it was. He told me to never just assume it is a spasm, that I did the right thing to come in. I've had a handful of them since that time, but not as severe. Sometimes I will take a baclofen. I don't go in because they haven't haven't seemed as bad, or maybe because I am assuming its a spasm. They feel like a knife and awful pressure on my chest, but they don't last a couple of hours like that first one. It's more like 20-30 minutes, then they feel like a gas bubble for a few hours. They go away as suddenly as they come on. Maybe I'm bad for not going in for all of them. But I feel like as long as I can breathe, I'm fine to wait it out? And maybe the baclofen is helping to lessen the duration. Anyway... That's been my experience with them. I'm sorry you are having them!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds really similar to what I experienced around two weeks ago or so, except I also had tingling in my right arm. I was halfway to the hospital with my boyfriend, when I decided the same thing you did, to just try and see if it would pass. (It did)

I talked to my GP not too long about it and he believes that it was just a spasm as well considering my HR, BP and everything was normal.

I too try and take Baclofen when it's acting up as it seems to help.
Squeemom2
Squeemom2
After I posted this I decided to call my doctor. I called the neurologist to ask if he thought it might be a muscle spasm and they suggested that I see my regular doctor first to rule out any heart problems since women have weird heart attack/heart disease symptoms. I'm going in next Friday for an EKG and they said if it happens again before then, just go to the walk in clinic for an EKG. I honestly think it was a spasm of some sort but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. The first time I had one was during my solumedrol treatment so I suppose it could be heart related since everything is amped up when on the steroids. I don't know. The fact that it traveled up into my jaw is what really freaked me out. I do appreciate the responses and I will let you all know what I find out!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've had episodes like that before, too. Went into the ER one time and they just determined it was inflammation. I'm guessing it was some type of spasm, like the "hug".
deleted_user
deleted_user
i just had that to happen to me this past sunday 23,2013 and its like it just took my breath hardely could take a breath i just tryed to walk it off from my house 125 feet 4 times that didn't help made my head hurt in places and i thought death was coming buy i was so miserable at that i had to lay down throat wad hurting they hurt so bad whats tha reason for so much pain if its tha LORDS will ERnext time hople all is well with everyone else
tiredbunni
tiredbunni
I have had them for many years but they only last a minute or two. But while having it is awful pain. The other morning it was different and I am alone (no one to tell me what to do) so it started as spams in my shoulder and then hit me in my chest and then in back. It came it waves of sharp pain all on the left side. I checked my pulse and my heart for the beat but couldn't feel it. At least it wasn't racing but the whole thing lasted over an hour.

I looked for aspirin and took it. I was scared but I figured it was esophagus spasms as not sweating. Yesterday, I was washed out. I could barely walk, numbness ... felt like a truck ran over me. Next time if it happens, I will go to the ER and not assume.