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Seeking advise for stomach issues
3.5 years ago diagnosed with 70% blockage in left main coronary artery. Had a stent placed July 18, 2008. Following week still had intense upper left chest discomfort. Went in for EGD and was diagnosed with acid reflux disease and esophagitis.
Discomfort lessened but never really got better with previcid treatment. In March 2010 had Nissan Fundoplication surgery.
However, for the past 3.5 years, I have had intense spasms in my upper left abdomen. So intense that they feel like a heart attack. I have been to the ER many times. I have continued Previcid and a variety of prescriptions including: diazepam, amitriptyline, nortriptylene, baclofen, and reglan. antibiotics, probiotics, nothing has seemed to help. I am fairly convinced these are esophageal spasms wonder why we haven’t tried Muscle-relaxing drugs including nitrate medications, such as isosorbide (Isordil), nifedipine (Procardia), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) or dicyclomine (Bentyl). I also wonder about Hyoscyamine Sulfate and what about this Heller Myotomy surgery (I’m desperate).
In December 2012, I had an EGD done and was told it looks excellent, no ill effects of the acid reflux disease and esophagus looks good.
In January I started having issues with extreme bloating (continues now). I start the day with a flat stomach and by the end of the day I look like I’ve swallowed a beach ball.
Then on Feb. 25, I had discomfort so intense in my upper left abdomen and center of my chest I seriously thought I was going to die. On Feb. 27, I went to my regular doctor and he did an EKG, said the heart was fine, also did blood work and the pancreas, liver, kidneys and gallbladder all checked out fine. Said it was reflux related and to double my previcid. Meanwhile, my gut doc has put me on Zoloft. I think he believes my issues are Psycho-sematic. While I would agree, I am depressed. I believe the physical problems are causing my mental depression (and not vise versa).
BTW: When I had my Nissan surgery, the surgeon did discover that I have an inguinal hernia. Also, at about age 30, I had an anal fistula that periodically over the years bleeds. I have not had and colonoscopy done.
March 3 and my spasms are awful, feels like my stomach is a washing machine churning and my stomach is very upset, NEED TO FIND ANSWERS. A new recent issue is stiffness in my neck and my breastplate, not sure if this is all related.
March 4----intense spasms continue. Chest is tight and somewhat nauseated. Also, have slight pain in groin and lower abdomen (under my belly).
March 5----stomach is very “sour” had difficulty eating breakfast. Spasms are continuing although less intense. I will say this Zoloft has helped my outlook, but still something is wrong.
March 6----Woke up with a “sour” stomach, difficult getting breakfast down. Spasms continue, not intolerable. I feel very weak and blah, is this the Zoloft?
March 7----Woke up with a “sour stomach, didn’t eat due to ultrasound scheduled for later in the day. Have had tightness or a knot feeling in upper left chest. My neck/breast plate still feels tight. I did not take the Zoloft last night. I do feel more “with it” today.
Can anyone offer some advice?
Discomfort lessened but never really got better with previcid treatment. In March 2010 had Nissan Fundoplication surgery.
However, for the past 3.5 years, I have had intense spasms in my upper left abdomen. So intense that they feel like a heart attack. I have been to the ER many times. I have continued Previcid and a variety of prescriptions including: diazepam, amitriptyline, nortriptylene, baclofen, and reglan. antibiotics, probiotics, nothing has seemed to help. I am fairly convinced these are esophageal spasms wonder why we haven’t tried Muscle-relaxing drugs including nitrate medications, such as isosorbide (Isordil), nifedipine (Procardia), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) or dicyclomine (Bentyl). I also wonder about Hyoscyamine Sulfate and what about this Heller Myotomy surgery (I’m desperate).
In December 2012, I had an EGD done and was told it looks excellent, no ill effects of the acid reflux disease and esophagus looks good.
In January I started having issues with extreme bloating (continues now). I start the day with a flat stomach and by the end of the day I look like I’ve swallowed a beach ball.
Then on Feb. 25, I had discomfort so intense in my upper left abdomen and center of my chest I seriously thought I was going to die. On Feb. 27, I went to my regular doctor and he did an EKG, said the heart was fine, also did blood work and the pancreas, liver, kidneys and gallbladder all checked out fine. Said it was reflux related and to double my previcid. Meanwhile, my gut doc has put me on Zoloft. I think he believes my issues are Psycho-sematic. While I would agree, I am depressed. I believe the physical problems are causing my mental depression (and not vise versa).
BTW: When I had my Nissan surgery, the surgeon did discover that I have an inguinal hernia. Also, at about age 30, I had an anal fistula that periodically over the years bleeds. I have not had and colonoscopy done.
March 3 and my spasms are awful, feels like my stomach is a washing machine churning and my stomach is very upset, NEED TO FIND ANSWERS. A new recent issue is stiffness in my neck and my breastplate, not sure if this is all related.
March 4----intense spasms continue. Chest is tight and somewhat nauseated. Also, have slight pain in groin and lower abdomen (under my belly).
March 5----stomach is very “sour” had difficulty eating breakfast. Spasms are continuing although less intense. I will say this Zoloft has helped my outlook, but still something is wrong.
March 6----Woke up with a “sour” stomach, difficult getting breakfast down. Spasms continue, not intolerable. I feel very weak and blah, is this the Zoloft?
March 7----Woke up with a “sour stomach, didn’t eat due to ultrasound scheduled for later in the day. Have had tightness or a knot feeling in upper left chest. My neck/breast plate still feels tight. I did not take the Zoloft last night. I do feel more “with it” today.
Can anyone offer some advice?
I would recommend you try different PPI's or try an H2 blocker to see if they help your GERD symptoms, and also help your other symptoms.
Yes, prevacid and omeprazole are the only drugs I've tried for GERD. Any guess as to what could be causing the spasms? I get a lot of tightness all across my chest.
Welcome to the gastroenterology community! Intense spasms in the upper left part of your abdomen doesn't really fit with esophageal spasms. However, I do think that hyoscyamine could help you. Is prevacid the only drug you ever tried for your GERD?
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