Oesophageal spasm. Does anyone suffer from these painful twinges and what is your remedy for relief?
Oesophageal Spasms: Oesophageal spasm. Does anyone... - PMRGCAuk
Oesophageal Spasms
Written by
Bleakley1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
86 Replies
•
I had one years and years ago, thought I was dying. It was caused by a med I was taking, evidently known to cause them. I’m thinking it was doxycycline. Hope you can figure out a trigger as well.
Thanks for reply. Yes I know what you mean. I ended up in hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. Gastric reflux seems to be the cause and gaviscon helps but I wondered if anyone else had other remedies. It's probably not helped by being on prednisolone for Pmr. Frightening when it happens though
SheffieldJane has had them - she'll be around at some point.
Same thing happened to me. Called for an ambulance and after checking that I wasn’t having a heart attack the paramedics asked about other conditions. I mentioned hiatus hernia and they said that the spasms are like the pain of a heart attack. Dr recommended taking paracetamol and chewing gaviscon but following something I read on this forum I have recently found that sipping cold water and gently massaging helps spasms subside. Hope this helps
I have an hiatus hernia too and if I eat too quickly or if my food is dry...like plain rice without a sauce...I have these problems. It's not nice and I can understand that it can be scary. Sometimes I end up by vomiting back whatever caused the problem...and then it is OK. I can totally understand that it can feel as if you are suffering a heart attack.
This is my exact story, I am so relieved that it is a common occurrence when you have a hiatus hernia, I find having Paracetomol on a morning and my brown inhaler (which I had to ask the doctor for myself) helps, I take Peptac liquid 4 times a day (when I remember)If I have a spasm than I have a cold glass of water and massage my wind pipe, which moves trapped wind.
X
Yes. I am taking comfort from the fact it’s more common than I thought
I noticed them after my asthma inhalers only.
What did you do to settle the pain?
I have them. I drink 1-2 litres of water which usually stops the pain almost immediately.
It just passed. Sometimes the spasm woukd start just as I took my first bites. I waited a little and it passed. Be aware that the esophagus can be irritated by prednisone. It its inflamed then it’s worse.
Will try the water tip. Thanks
Yes I did wonder about the effect of pred
Pred may cause oesophageal problems if it causes reflux which could irritate the lining but it isn't likely to be the cause of spasms as they are thought to be a nerve problem.
This has some suggestions - for some people there are trigger substances, food or drink, and avoiding them if you can identify them is helpful.
Yes I used to when I was on a higher dose of Pred. The first one I had was terrifying. I felt as though I had swallowed a pebble and it was stuck. My husband was so alarmed that he called an ambulance. It was treated as a cardiac emergency with various tests, sprays, & aspirin being administered by the para medics. I spent time in A&E and all cardiac monitoring appeared normal and I was able to eventually go home. I had the same symptom a few times after that but never so severe. Sometimes, this would be accompanied by jaw pain, as if my jaw was being unzipped.I found that keeping calm and taking small sips of cold water was helpful, as were over the counter indigestion remedies , like Gaviscon or even Rennies. This symptom became very rare as I reduced my Pred dose and switched to coated Prednisalone.
I am due to have a colonoscopy soon, related to lower abdomen pain and they were interested in the fact that I had, had Oesophageal spasms in the past.
🚫❌**** If anyone has had a colonoscopy, could you tell me if you recommend sedation and are you fully asleep?
Thanks for reply. Much the same as I had Jane including jaw pain. I haven’t had a bout as bad as the one where I was in hospital but do get twinges from time to time which worry me in case they get worse. Will try the water tip. I always have gaviscon in the house and it is good. Good luck with your colononoscopy. I had one years ago and did have the sedation. No I could see what was going on so was awake.
Hi, I was using lots of Gaviscon to good effect but my RA consultant told me that high juice lemon, or lemon and lime squash can calm the acidity too. I use the sugar free one from one of the supermarkets and dilute it in hot water. I tried this and it is very effective. I rarely use Gaviscon now. Apart from anything else I am a bit less poor as a result...I nearly said richer but with the cost of everything going up rapidly, I revised my answer! 🙂 Might be worth trying.
Yes I will. Is it a supermarket own brand you use?
Yes, both Tesco and Sainsbury's do it. It has to be the high juice. I'm sipping some in hot water as I write. It is High Juice Squash. I use the 'no sugar', but I think they do both. It's certainly worth a try. I think it costs around £1.50, so not expensive. Stay safe, ❤️
I have had several. Definitely recommend sedation! You are not totally asleep and able to take direction from doctor, but will remember nothing.
Yes had colonoscopy years ago. Didn’t realise I was going to have sedation, but woke up in recovery ward, none the wiser
Hi Sheffield Jane. I had a sigmoidoscopy a few years ago. No sedation. No pain. The worst bit by far was the enema which kept me on the toilet all night. A very sore bum relieved between bouts of mainly water by the late stages, only by vaseline. Buy a big tub! The procedure itself was scary more than anything. Afterwards you get terrible wind as they pump you up with air. It can be very uncomfortable until you've got rid of it all. But I was able to drive myself home. I don't know if your procedure is more "invasive" than mine was though.
There was talk of a biopsy. My first successful triage I think. Now I’m petrified. 🙁I will have a lift.
You'll be fine. It's the anticipation which is the worst thing. The vertically revolving chair was a novelty!
What? 😳
I have tried unsuccessfully to find a pic. It was like a wheelchair which could tilt backwards and forwards. The 'wheels' were above the floor and enabled the doctor to tilt you back so you were virtually upside down and your anus was at his eye level. Maybe other hospitals don't have them. This was in West Sussex.
Not here thankfully.
You aren't offered sedation here so I had mine with nothing and it was absolutely fine. It makes the doctor doing it more careful! It means you can leave straight away. The unit in Scotland where my daughter works does use sedation - means you have to wait in recovery afterwards.
By far the worst bit is the prep procedure!
Hi Jane, I had a colonoscopy without sedation, and it was Ok. I didn't have anyone with me, so sedation wasn't an option. There were only a couple of times when I felt a sharp pain when the operator asked me to change positions so that he could manoeuvre the tube around a bend. I had to catch my breath, but it didn't last. The best thing about being alert is that you can keep asking questions and you get reassuring answers.
I opted for the numbing spray rather than sedation, it was very unpleasant a nurse does hold you down but it only last a very short time, maybe no more than a minute and of course on the plus side there was no recovery time. Incidentally I had it because of the throat spasms which always happened whilst eating, there was nothing wrong other than inflammation , so I’ve always put them down to steroid use, they have disappeared as I have been on a consistently lower dose and changed my inhaler
Endoscopy then?
Hi SheffieldJane, a few years ago I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy in the same session (not at the same time though!!) and had the sedation. I think they give a low dose of fentanyl. I was fully awake but not fully aware and didn’t feel any discomfort. Afterwards I felt pleasantly woozy for a while. I had to have a second endoscopy a few months later (I had bleeding gastric ulcers) and didn’t have sedation and it was horrible in that I couldn’t stop gagging! On other occasions I had a colonoscopy without the sedation. It’s unpleasant but not intolerable and over quite quickly. Good luck! Leigh
I had a colonoscopy and opted for sedation but you are not fully asleep. If you are nervous it does tske the edge off it.
Hi, Jane. I have had a colonoscopy without sedation and it was awful. I will never have another! But they can't put you fully asleep as you have to be able to move around. I would suggest having the sedation. When I was told I needed another one, I refused and had a scan instead.
I have had an external and internal scan so I’ve run out of road.
For my first colonoscopies I had sedation. I wasn't asleep but felt very calm and relaxed. This time I had gas and air as an alternative, and had to use it sometimes because I have a loopy bowel, so at times the consultant had to go around 'sharp' bends, as it were. I think for my first I would opt for the sedation. It is very interesting watching the bowel on the screen during the procedure. Let us know hoy you get on. Take care, K.
Yes sedation, I have had both without sedation you gag , get very stressed and make it harder for the doctor.
An Endoscopy sounds much worse. Childbirth kind of prepares you for a Colonoscopy.
Definitely for a full colonoscopy I would do sedation. For a flex sigmoidoscopy perhaps no sedation. Sedation was the least of my problems with a scope, the prep was the horrible part.
Completely agree! The sedation I had 10 years ago was terrible and I still felt every bit of the colonoscopy but couldn’t communicate that. This year I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time with a different sedation and it was fantastic. Slept through it and little after effects. Slightly shore throat for about a day. The prep however was very difficult (harder than the first time) and no prednisone the morning of.
That’s the best part of sedation, you don’t remember the procedure, I can do without the visual and get a good sleep.
Hi Jane, all the best for the procedure and I hope they can resolve your problem. xx
I have had several colonoscopies. (Every 5 years) Sedated every time. As far as I was concerned I was asleep! Knew NOTHING. Last time 3 polyps removed, so glad I was asleep. Still knew nothing. The recovery time is very short. My husband was awake and a friend of mine as well. Both had no problem with it, but noted a tiny bit of discomfort at times. Both were able to watch the screen as the procedure was being done. Frankly, if you suspect there might be an issue, I'd recommend the sedation.
I had a bad experience thinking it was a heart attack. A&E did loads of heart tests -all okay- diagnosed severe acid reflux. I was really surprised plus relieved it wasn’t heart related. As I was already on high dose lansoprazole and had a small hiatus hernia they recommended having the camera down again which confirmed gastritis (not quite an ulcer they said) caused by Omeprazole! I’d taken it for 6 years to protect my stomach without a problem, or so I thought. Gave me 40mg Famotidine which is working well. I can’t miss a dose or symptoms are back. I also take four times daily prescribed gaviscon (stronger than otc version) which I can’t miss a dose of either. If it’s got that otc meds aren’t working for you then I would seek medical advice and don’t let it worsen. I can’t eat anything spicy now. There are so many varying degrees of this problem and in my experience the appropriate doctors know best.
Thanks. I used to get Gaviscon Advance from Doctor. Then the changed it due to budget cuts so gave me a cheaper version. (Not Gaviscon) I complained but they would not give me back Gaviscon Advance. I now buy my own but it is expensive which is why they probably don’t prescribe it now at surgery. I do find yen Advance version very good.
I used to be on gaviscon advanced, but because of price they changed it to peptac acid, seems ok ..take 2 teaspoons 4 times a day, also on lansoprazole if I miss a dose of this , it’s normally evening when I start getting Reflux acid, it shows I can’t be without it, I have my capsules against the kettle now first thing I see on a morning.
I can't have stomach protectors now. They give me chest pain and some that I had been on years ago were removed from the market because of issues. The lemon squash I have referred to above, with hot water, works wonders for me.
They give you one thing supposedly to help or as a prevention and they cause havoc with your insides. I now can’t eat normal size meals so I eat ‘little and often’. I also don’t know what I want to eat and could easily not have anything but that’s not right either. Pleased you’ve found something that works for you. I’m on water only for a urology related problem.
I have had oesophagus issues too.It is scary.Went through a bad phase for a couple of weeks.Sat up ate and drank carefully.I was staying at my daughters on the weekend and she said I sounded like I was gasping for breath during the night.I wasn't "snoring".That's made me a bit scared.I might tell my Doc about it but he always planks me in hospital for things.I do have a cardiac condition compliments of prednisolone.Down to5mg and I don't want a relapse again.I have learnt to take it easy .
Yes.So many side effects!
I get this too, often at night, it’s very scary, I find a cup of tea helps to settle it down for me! I also rub or massage my stomach this also helps.
Try having a glass of cold water instead of tea x
I have had them twice. GP was excellent and immediately prescribed me Buscopan usually used for IBS. Works brilliantly!
I have Achalasia got it 20 years ago ended up having a Hellers Cardiomyotomy and was mainly under control, however following getting PMR & GCA I was prescribed Alendronic acid which kicked of my Achalasia again, it was a contraindication and I was taken off it, regarding the chest pains I have always gulped sparkling water or diet coke to help.
I've been taking amitryptilene (10mgs) whenever I get these, and it seems to help a lot.
Hi, I used to have oesophageal spasms more frequently when I was on higher prednisolone. I've never had reflux. Like you say it is frightening and seems like a heart attack. I found that drinking cold water and swallowing resolved it
I have them...it was so scary at the time and I was blue lighted to hospital. It was so severe and fid not go sway on its own so they prescribed anti spasmodics and I still take them over 10 years later.
I agree with AnaWater does the trick for me.
It's a painful and annoying problem and the first time it happened I too thought it must have been a heart attack. I was much younger but now with the medication it is a more frequent occurrence. Actonel seems to be the worst culprit.
Good luck and keep water handy. 😉
Yes, I go through phases of having them and it feels like what I imagine a heart attack is like. I usually drink some hot water but having read the replies here, I think I may be better with cold water! They are extremely painful but I have learnt to stay calm and try and relax as much as possible till they pass.
I get these spasms and they are extremely painful. Have identified certain foods which cause these for me - mainly high roughage - peas and beans (I think its the skins). Whole meal pasta, dark spring greens ( when the leaves are tough). I have learned to avoid these foods but did have some spring greens a few weeks ago and regretted it. The pain is so intense I did at first think I was having a heart attack. As for Colonoscopy I have had several over the years and even with sedation I found it uncomfortable. I had a Sigmoidoscopy a couple of years ago and they gave me gas and air which made me very nauseous afterwards.
I had them when I was on higher doses of prednisone a few times. Worst pain ever. Since then, never had them again now that I am off prednisone. I do have moderate reflux but only ever got those during higher dose prednisone. I don’t have any solutions to suggest unfortunately other than being off prednisone.
I've had them for years and have had stress tests and such. I found that gulping water, not sipping, gives me relief quickly.
I have been having pains in middle of chest and feeling like something is stuck. Have been taking Andrews but I will try cold water. Must be the steroids, I am reducing at the moment from 40mg to now 17.5 but it is so uncomfortable. At least someone knows the feeling!
Firstly, colonoscopy, I have had a few and always have sedation. It means you do need someone to drive you though as no driving for 24 hours. The prep is the worst part. Drink the liquid cold and through a straw as I found this the best way to stop gagging. Do not stray far from the loo. Get yourself a prep box ready in your loo of choice to include petroleum jelly to stop your bottom getting sore, some soft wipes, something to read, computer or tablet to watch, jumper to keep you warm, bottled soft drink of choice to drink so you don't dehydrate, change of undies just in case and anything else that makes you comfortable in the loo. You will be there a while.
On the subject of oesophagus spasms I didn't know that was a thing until last month. I had a couple of attacks and asked my doctor about this. I have reflux and cannot take ppi drugs like omeprazole. I used to take ranitidine but they were withdrawn. Luckily an alternative H2 inhibitor is now available on prescription and been on it a few weeks and no more spasms thankfully.
Helpful detail S4ndy! Ta!
I had these way back at the beginnings of my journey with PMR & GCA,, felt like a fist was grabbing my stomach and pushing it up into my throat. Diagnosed as GERD, but was already on Nexium. One of my specialists gave me a GTN spray which worked a treat. The pain wasn’t cardiac but he said it would relax smooth muscle and he was right!
I started having muscle spasms in my throat a few months ago but they are not painful and nobody can give me a cause.
I have these on occasion too. Generally don’t last. I put it down to anxiety
I find Gaviscon Advanced very effective. I take it as and when, but if it is bad I take it after every meal for a few days. Hope it helps you.
I agree. I do much the same as you.
Hi Jane, I had a Colonoscopy 3 months ago, I had sedation as it was offered, not a pleasant procedure, , they will take a biopsy if they see anything suspicious. The operator had a charisma bypassI thought , not very nice and no bed side manner , however the rest of the staff were wonderful. The prep is the worst very unpleasant having to drink so much of it. They tell you if you don’t take it all and your bowel isn’t completely clean they won’t do the procedure as they can’t see the images.
Just stay very close to a loo !thinking of you x
Margaret.
Thanks Margaret. My system has been so sluggish, I was quite looking forward to being empty. My GP suspects Pelvic congestion and that’s how it feels with frequent diahorrea, then blocked symptoms.
One night about two thirty in the morning I thought I was having a heart attack.I massaged both sides of my ribs and sipped tonic water and as you can imagine I burped a few times and it went away.
I have a hiatus hernia and, the nurse told me to gently does this if I had problems, I don’t know if it was just wind but, it was scary and since then I have had it twice.
Done the same massage and tonic water and it worked.
Thanks for reply. Yes really scary. Gaviscon helps me. I have had a couple of attacks and this has worked.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Back/heart spasm and pain
quite severe pains running from my skull all way down my back. The odd thing is that the pain...
Nighttime muscle spasms.
week just for the pain and depression. I forgot to tell her about the muscle spasms. I think I...
Anyone get back spasms?
I have just gone through my third round of back spasms in 9 months. Down to 2 mg prednisone at the...
Emotional and getting muscle spasms
I was just wondering if when tapering down (came from 60mg now at 8mg, also am on 162 Actemra...
PMR and muscle spasms
milligrams and suffer from muscle cramps that have caused back pain, hip and leg pain. I get...
Muscle spasms and cramp
Back pain and spasms 
‘Catching pain’ / spasms links to PMR?
Can pred cause muscle spasms?
Let's talk about esophageal spasms, please.
