Esophagus problems

[Alfryd]

Hello from Florida, U.S. I have had this condition for years. Also hospitalized with what they thought was heart attack. My problem comes from eating anything dry and swallowing big pills like calcium. Millions of tests by gastroenterologist. One of my problems I have been told is from swallowing air when I eat. it bubbles get stuck and cause excruciating pain. It happens after a couple of bites of food. I am so afraid of full blown pain spasm that I immediately pop two gas x pills which works right away as it dissolves air bubble. It is a big problem. I have had several endoscopies and my esophagus is irritated as pills etc get stuck in there. I have had my esophagus stretched several times. So I guess it is a combination of a few issues. But I do not go anywhere without these peppermint gas-x pills as they “clear” my esophagus and immediately relieve and prevent further spasm. I’m sure you have an equivalent to those pills in UK and I would try that for immediate relief.

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[Redwhitebooze]

Alfryd have you been tested for Achalasia? I went for years of testing before I got the right diagnosis. Do you also have PMR?

[Alfryd in reply to Redwhitebooze]

Hello. No I was never tested. Never heard of that. Thx. Yes actually had PMR for almost five years I am off weaned off prednisone and been free for 6 months.

[Redwhitebooze in reply to Alfryd]

Alfryd the test I had done was a motility test. In Achalasia when you swallow food the sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus goes into spasm and doesn't let the food or pill enter the stomach properly. The spasms can be very painful. Its a rare disorder but theres lots of info online about it. Hope this helps you.

[Coffeebeans in reply to Redwhitebooze]

My Dad has had achalasia for years. Too far gone for surgery and manages by being careful and avoiding anything with skins.

He's had Botox 3-4 times and stretching but still has bad days.

How are you managing?

[Redwhitebooze in reply to Coffeebeans]

I has the surgery done in 1987 before they could do it without opening you up. It helped in the beginning and is still pretty good but now there is scar tissue in there that causes some problems. Also it prevents you from throwing up if need be. Not fun if you are nauseous. I was young then and recovery from the operation was about 6 months.

[Coffeebeans in reply to Redwhitebooze]

Yes I can imagine it was a very big operation then.

It's a not very well known about pretty unpleasant condition - sorry you have it but nice to connect.

[Betty_H]

My daughter has Sjogrens and has trouble swallowing lots of things. She takes pylocarpine tablets to help her make enough saliva to swallow. Maybe something like that would help you. They are made to treat glaucoma, I believe, but the main side effect is lots of saliva (at least for a normal person). My daughter just gets enough to almost keep her mouth moist. And she swallows much easier.

[Alfryd in reply to Betty_H]

Thanks for suggestions. I will mention and explore with gastroenterologist. I see nothing has changed with this list - helpful as ever!

[whitefishbay]

My husband has this and takes omaprazole daily and it sorts it (has had the balloon thing).