Esophageal Spasm

I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer 6 yrs ago and had surgery to remove my sigmoid with great results. Just had my Colonoscopy and Endoscopy last month and all was clear, don't have to have another one for 3 yrs. Last Friday while traveling in the car with my husband I experienced horrible chest pain that also went between my shoulder blades. I told my husband that I thought it would be wise to go by my work ( I work at the hospital) and have my BP checked. We went and they took me straight back thinking it was a heart attack. After blood work, chest X-ray and a CT they admitted me into the hospital. I stayed 3 days having the pain reoccur 2 times during my stay. I was released on Sunday and had Monday off from work. I went to the hospital in the next town on Tues morning in support of my friend having surgery only to experience another attack. After taking 2 nitro's with no result another friend got a nurse and they rushed me down to ER only to be admitted into this hospital assuming a heart attack again. After more tests, chest X-ray, blood work, Treadmill test and only 1 other attack while in the hospital they released me 3 days later saying that I had experienced Esophageal Spasms. They sent me home with Nitro, Potassium, Baby Asprin, Naproxin, Nexium and Antibiotics (for a bladder inf I didn't know I had). Nothing was explained to me about this condition and nothing was said as to what to expect or do if this happens again. I will see my family physician this next week and have many questions for her. Is there something else I should be doing or other tests that I should be having? Is this just the way my life is going to be from now on? Does it have anything to do with my previous Colon Cancer? I am in the dark here and have read all about this condition since my release. I noticed that it could be stress, should I be on antidepressants also like all the articles state?


This discussion is related to esophageal spasm.

[CalGal]

It would be very unusual if it had anything to do with your previous colon cancer. Are you experiencing any symptoms of acid reflux/GERD? The incidence of esophageal spasms is highly correlated with GERD, so if that's what's going on, you've got to get the GERD under control with medication (the nexium), diet and lifestyle changes. You can find example of GERD-friendly foods and those to avoid at www.gicare.com under the diet category. Hopefully, the Nitro will give you a hand. If not, you could also try specific forms of anti-spasm meds or calcium channel blockers.