Esophageal spasms

[Niki318]

Hello Everyone!

Does anyone suffer from esophageal spasms and have issues with eating and swallowing occasionally? Any remedies? Thank you!

-Nicolette

[magician]

Hi!

I have been having dysphasia since 2016. Fortunately, it’s been only once a year. I think eating in a relaxed, unhurried manner helps me.

All the best

[SCMW]

Yes, interesting this is a feature of many connective tissue disorders too so bear that in mind as they often co exist. Best wishes

[Expectthebest]

For 2 years I had esophageal issue. Started with inability to swallow easily, increased coughing..turns out lining was littered with ulcers. rituxan infusions - 2 two weeks apart (1000mg) every 4 months & they disappeared.

[CecilyParsley]

Yes I get choking in bouts. It started three years ago and was really awful. My husband would have to smack me hard on the back and I would have to stick my fingers down my throat to vomit the blockage. I had an endoscopy and it showed what they thought was bleeding thrush as my oesophagus was ulcerated. All the other tests, barium swallow, physical examinations were fine. The Gastroenterologist noted my wrist supports and thumb spica and my rashes and suggested I may have CREST. He wrote to my Rheumatologist who dismissed it saying I had enough without looking for more diagnoses. Thankfully it has not got that bad since but I go through episodes of choking out of the blue. I make sure I cut my food into small pieces and chew well and wash it down with plenty of water. It doesn’t resolve it but helps with getting the food out of my throat if I do choke. Good luck with it, it is distressing and embarrassing.

[gillianTS in reply to CecilyParsley]

I wonder CecilyParsley do you have some hypermobility, some Ehlers Danlos people suffer with oesophagus issues with the hypermobility.

[CecilyParsley in reply to gillianTS]

Honestly Gillian I do not know. My new Rheumatologist has not examined me and the previous one although he was my doctor for five years never examined me either. But I have been assessed at St Thomas’s six years ago and they did not mention anything when they examined me.

[gillianTS in reply to CecilyParsley]

I guess it depends on what it is they are looking for and the Dr specialist area. When I was diagnosed it was because I was complaining about joint pain and when I was told I had Ehlers danlos I was amazed because I had always know I had hypermobility but had not realised it would become a problem in my later life, now having made adjustments I have certainly felt improvements. I had no idea my mitral valve issue was associated with Ehlers danlos or my stomach problems, the condition has 13 different types, if you are interested you can find out more here:

ehlers-danlos.org/what-is-e...

[CecilyParsley in reply to gillianTS]

Thank you

[Meggy7791]

Hi

This is quite unpleasant and in my case presented with excruciating chest pain . After various physiological tests which induced the symptoms I was prescribed a blood pressure tablet that has an effect of dilating the oesophagus and I also have a nitrate spray if I get the chest pain. I have found the blood pressure tablet has stopped the pain and I am careful not to eat dry food eg. Cold chicken, bread etc. I have only needed to use the spray once in 2 years. I hope you find something to alleviate your symptoms.

[Lara1]

I had trouble swallowing for many years on and off, chest pain, spasms etc. This year I had an endoscopy and they took biopsies and found eosinophil esophagitis and a helicobacter pylori infection! I took Jorveza for the esophagitis and treated the infection and my esophagus is doing better than it had in years! Now if could also find the cure for my pancreatitis..