Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Subject: Re: Esophageal spasms
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic Area: Gastroenterology - General
Posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on October 17, 1998 at 21:44:43:
In Reply to: Esophageal spasms posted by Regina on October 12, 1998 at 22:53:05:


I am a 34 year old female who had the RNY gastric bypass surgery in June 1998. It has been a success as I started at 222 lbs. and now weigh 156 lbs. I recently had to be hospitalized for dehydration because of vomiting and after an endoscopy and an upper GI with small bowel follow through. The endoscopy was normal but the upper GI showed severe esophageal spasms that apparently caused the vomiting. My weight loss has sped up in the past month due to the vomiting and the doctor says it is too much/too fast. Therefore, I need to stop the vomiting. I have been prescribed Procardia 10mg. I really would like to know if there is any other treatment to correct this as I don't want to be on medicine forever. I've read that that there is a laparoscopic procedure (myotomy ???). Is this really an option? Anything else? Thank you for any information.

_
Dear Regina,
Esophageal spasm is the the manifestation of simultaneous high pressure contractions of different parts of the esophagus. medical therapy consists of smooth muscle relaxants e.g. nitrates, calcium channel antagonists. Often, unfortunately, medical treatment fails. Recently, there was a report that laparoscopic myotomy ameliorated the esophageal spasm. You should probably see a surgeon with expertise in this procedure and ask him if surgery is a possibility. Your previous surgery may, however, make laparoscopy technically difficult.

This information is presented for educational purposes only. Always ask specific questions to your personal physician.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal spsasm
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