Spasms

[Sue-Poynt]

I can cope with Achalasia after having the HM wrap but the spasms are horrendous. I need more help with reducing these as the pain is very hard to live with.

[Alan_M Partner]

Did you have spasms before the surgery? They are a great problem. Sometimes they might be because of a reaction to the surgery; sometimes as the result of reflux, and sometimes for other reasons (unhelpful though that may be) like food getting stuck etc. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for spasms to occur, or just to be different rather than disappearing, after surgery. It seems to be related to nerve reactions. Tension and stress do not help the spasms, but some medication might. I think the first port of call is to go to your surgeon, explain the problem, and ask for help.

If it is reflux-related, you might meanwhile try Gaviscon, just in case this has an effect. Monitor your food intake in case it is the nature of something you have been eating (but it might be with everything you eat of course). You might try Buscopan which can help spasms in the digestive tract and is, I think available over the counter from a pharmacist. Then, on a prescription basis, some people have nitrates that improve blood flow, and other drugs that can suppress nerve reactions.

Some people report improvements with Viagra because of the increased blood flow, but I am not sure whether this is medically recognised. Other people try Cannabis on the basis that it apparently helps people with multiple sclerosis and other conditions with spasms, but I do not know enough about it to say one way or another. You might try researching medical cannabis for finding a legal route for something that might help.

Relaxation is easier said than done, but some people do find acupuncture and other complementary therapies helpful. I am not medically qualified and some of the above is not what you will hear from a doctor, so you must take proper advice of course. I hope it improves soon for you.

[Cairn1 in reply to Alan_M]

I have spasms fairly often . I had a myotomy without a wrap 14 years ago which allows me to eat pretty normally but rather slowly!

My last barium swallow about two years ago showed my oesophagus is pretty Atonic. So I do drink plenty of water when eating to flush the food down.

I know when the pain is starting if I try to stop, relax and do some slow breathing it sometimes does not develop into a huge spasm. But what really works for me is eating a pot of yoghurt. I carry Activia rhubarb yoghurts everywhere . By the time I have slowly eaten it the pain is gone . Occasionally I might need two and even then it can take a little while to be fully recovered. I hope this helps someone else .

X

[Alan_M Partner in reply to Cairn1]

Thanks. If it works for you perhaps it will help somebody else too. I wonder whether the yoghurt has a soothing effect and reduces irritation in the oesophagus?

[Cairn1 in reply to Alan_M]

Yes I think that may be how it helps. Natural yoghurt also helps . Maybe as not acidic and the consistency of yoghurt that would sort of stick to the walls of the oesophagus ! I am not sure we will ever really know!