Smooth Muscle Spasms

[jenniwrenne]

I have smooth muscle spasms in my gut, mostly in the diaphragm area, though they often spread up my chest, and sometimes affect my lower abdomen.   A colonoscopy has shown no organic disease in the colon, and u/sound scans and MRI scans have ruled out any disease in other abdominal organs.

The spasms have a severe effect on my breathing, making me constantly breathless, and I am woken several times a night struggling to breathe.

I have been prescribed several drugs in the past, at different times, to treat the problem. None of them helped, partly because of the side effects I experienced .  The drugs were a small dose of  benzodiazipine, which made me too tired to do anything all day. Later I tried a very small dose of Amitryptiline, but it  made me too agitated to continue with it, and did little to relieve my symptoms.

I do not suffer from diarrhoea or constipation.  But when I tried taking one of the smooth muscle relaxant drugs (cannot remember the name of it) it gave me terrible constipation, which was a nightmare to resolve.   There is just no point in me taking a drug that makes my quality of life worse than it already is.  Can anyone recommend a drug that might relax the muscle spasms, without giving me constipation or other intolerable side effects?  

Thank you.  

[koldune]

Hi, I have diaphramatic spasms.  I have spinal cord injury and autonomic dysfunction.  I understand exactly what you feel.  I take neurontin, potassium, and magnesium.  They help the most medication-wise.  My potassium must be at least 4.2 or more, and my magnesium at kept at the high end.  I had very good specialists help with my medications.  What helps the most with a doubt is oxygen at night and a BiPAP machine.  Because exhaling is difficult for us, I have a BiPAP harmony machine and am on 2-3 litres of oxygen at night.  Portable oxygen during the day will significantly reduce the spasms.  I can now talk if I use portable oxygen, otherwise the spasms hurt so badly.  

[jenniwrenne]

Hi, I have not had any trauma as such, to the abdomen, however, 5 yrs ago I had an enterocutaneous fistula, (related to my Crohn's Disease) which exited right above the diaphragm. It took a year to drain and heal, and it was after that the tightness and spasms in my diaphragm began.

My gastroenterologist thought the fistula may have caused an adhesion when it healed, and tightened the surrounding tissue, which would account for the pulling sensation I get in the abdomen.  There was also the suggestion  you referred to, that I might have a diaphragmatic hernia.

However, when I had the MRI scan of the abdomen with enteroclysis, everything looked normal.  The radiologist said a hernia would have shown up, as probably would an adhesion. So the conclusion is there is no physical evidence of anything, and that therefore it must be a functional disorder, rather than a mechanical disorder. I find this hard to believe as nothing at all seems to relieve the symptoms, and if it is functional surely something should help......  

[Jellafish]

My spasms sound very similar.  They started after a car accident 2 months ago- I was rear-ended by a drunk driver travelling around 50 mph while I was stopped at a red light.  Had some other abdominal, pelvic and spinal injuries, but now the spasms and swollen abdomen are my worst symptoms.  

One doctor I spoke to thought that a diaphragmatic hernia could be the cause.  I am waiting to hear how my doctor wants to proceed.  Just wondering if you have had any blunt abdominal trauma in the past or if hernia of the diaphram has been ruled out in your case.

Best Wishes-

[jenniwrenne]

I have been taking Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate for 3 months but regret to say it has had no effect on the muscle spasms in my diaphragm progressing up my chest wall.

I also had an MRI scan of the spine, which found mild spondelosis in the upper part of the spine, which I was told by the consultant could NOT be causing the tension and spasms in the diaphragm.  My lung specialist says the spasms are due to a CNS disorder, but he does not know what exactly, and cannot suggest what tests to have next.

It is very depressing as it is affecting my life so much.  Having had to give up so many things I enjoy, such as all sports, and even long walks, I have now had to give up my singing, as it is too painful to move my diaphragm when taking a deep breath.

[jenniwrenne]

Thank you for the helpful suggestion.

I have been taking magnesium citrate in capsules for the past 4 years, but according to the Natural Calm website it is more effective taken as a powder in hot water. So, I have ordered some of it, and hope it will be as good for me as you have found it.  Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

[EmilieF]

Re diaphragm spasms (or any muscle spasms), I have found that a powdered magnesium supplement called Natural Calm has been amazingly helpful; it generally helps the muscle begin to relax within just a few minutes.  You add it to water and drink (not bad flavored, either); apparently it's more bio-available because it is powdered.

--Emilie