Esophageal Spasm

I was just diagnosed with esophageal spasm.  I have terrible chest and back pain that comes pretty close to the open-heart surgery I've had in the past.  It came on really quickly and the doctor has me on Prilosec and antacids after meals and at bedtime, and she just added viscous lidocaine solution to numb the esophagus.  I'm eating a low acidic diet and combining my foods properly.  Has anyone out there had this terrible thing and if so, any other suggestions?

[CalGal]

Talk to your doc about using anti-spasm meds or specific calcium channel blockers. Other help can come from using nitroglycerin.

Make sure you're scoped - upper endoscopy - to find out the status of your esophagus. And get tested for H. pylori.

[giupset]

I have used baclofen and trazodone.  I prefer the baclofen, but I am still bothered by the side effects (headache, drowsiness).  My spasms are triggered by GERD.  Getting the GERD under control will be the answer to my spasms so I have an appt. with a surgeon on Tues. about Nissen Fundoplication.  My diagnosis was confirmed after an endoscopy with biopsies for H. pylori, 48 hr. pH bravo, and manometry.