Anyone diagnosed with Esophageal Spasms?

[mjames1]

My GERD has taken a change for the worse and now experiencing what the gastro thinks are esophageal spasms, probably triggered by GERD. Very painful and they come and go in waves. Currently keeping them somewhat in check with the calcium channel blocker Diltiazem.

Wondering if anyone else has this diagnosis and what they are doing about it? Thanks.

Jim

[AMerchant]

What are your symptoms.

I get dull or sharp pain in the upper abdominal centre right where the rib cage ends. This only happens during acidity flare ups. I have been on pantoprazole 40mg once a day for over a year now.

[mjames1 in reply to AMerchant]

Starts in the throat which can feel very tight. Then, it can spread to sternum with a wicked sharp heartburn in waves that can last intermittently for over an hour. The diltiazem has helped a lot -- the more mg, the less spasms -- but prefer not to stay on it forever. I also found stretching and heat also help as well as eating very light -- almost semi-fasting -- something I cannot sustain. I'm on Dexliant 40mg/day, which is pretty much maxium acid protection.

Jim

[Hidden]

not sure but I’ve been treated for silent reflux but geez… feels like pin pricks at the back area of my mouth and now feels like it’s gone to my throat and travelling down when I have the attacks. Is that a thing like what you have? Almost feels like a nerve issue.

[mjames1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing. Mine is more like my throat tightening and/or difficult swallowing. This can often lead to painful heartburn if not for the diltiazem I'm taking that seems to relax the region.

Jim

[Hidden in reply to mjames1]

You’re welcome. Oh ok well I wish you so much relief. That would be hard to deal with I’m sure. The very best to you.

[Badger2024]

have you had a barium swallow?

[mjames1 in reply to Badger2024]

They are trying to schedule me for manometry and a 24 hour ph study. Will have to check if the barium swallow was ordered. I already had an endoscopy, which was relatively normal with small hiatal hernia. One of my concerns is that they want me to stop the Diltiazem 48 hours before the manometry. This could put me in severe pain.

Jim