Re: esophageal spasms

Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on July 17, 1998 at 10:03:17:

In Reply to: esophageal spasms posted by marsha  on July 14, 1998 at 13:49:46:






Am 41, female - have had some chest pain for about two years off and on. Last two months turned into nightmare of what I thought were heart attacks. Went to cardio-dr. - EKGs show no signs of anything but mitral valve - been on heart monitor for one month. Ended up in ER last night, EKG again ok, (is EKG really reliable source of diagnosis anyway?) They didn't check blood. ECG done two years ago showed ok, with what they could see at the time. That's another story.
Anyway, thought the Dr. thought I was having esopageal spasms. Is this stuff constant and chronic?? I couldn't work again today. Pain radiating down my upper back and everything's so sore. Can a scope see this stuff? Lungs feel hypersensitive and something's spasming as I write. Thought watermelon and cantaloupe helped the other day, when first cut it. Now doesn't help, just feels good going down, but pain still is there and radiating. Have been on Hydrocodone for about a month for this, plus for last weeks surgery from "the other story".
(Trust me, -  I'm doing some eliminating here to get to source of this pain, even of it takes surgery.)
Now taking cephalexin and Prevacid and Hydrocodone
Symptoms:
*forever little burps
*when things are real bad - pain from talking at times (feel some kind of vibration in center of chest) - used to be just when I sang at church
*pain from breathing, going up hill, those pains go into backs of my arms.
*sometimes feel asphyxiated or strangling sensation
*sometimes feel togue being pulled down into chest or something.
*When spasms are present, almost always diminish wheen lying down, return upon sitting back up or standing up.
*These stupid pains vary in intensity but now are always present.
*Constant throbbing and burning now, in center of chest and back. Lungs feel affected with non-productive cough.
Have full time job, need to work but can't lately.
Never smoked - don't drink - never drugs - no caffeine for past ten years - just got a dog, a gorgeous 12 year old son and I oil paint. Even took that out of the house last week because of the solvents. who knows what the heck this could be.
Need some prayers and answers, single parent - have son, gotta get well.
Please help in any way you can.
Please answer this - can people with this get better?
Does this ever pass??
Thanks.
_____


Dear Marsha,
Problems with esophageal musce contractions can cause a variety of symptoms, of which chest pain is one manifestation.  Although esophageal pain can be quite disconforting, it is not associated with serious tisue damage or sequela.  As your first step, you should meet with your primary physician to verify that you do not have problems with your lungs or heart. Once disease of these organs has been excluded, focus can shift to the esophagus.  Esophageal spasm, either primary (no obvious cause) or secondary (due to acid reflux into your chest) can cause the chest pain and wallowing problems.  It may be necessary to have an endosocpy(to exclude stuctural or inflammatory conditions of the esphagus) and an esophageal motility study and 24 hr pH probe study.
Best of luck.
This informatin is presented for educational purposes only.  Always consult your persnal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal spasm, chest pain
0.2