ESOPHAGUS SPASMS/CHEST PAIN

[KBRUNDAGE]

I am a 24-yr old female. Approx 3 mos ago I starting experiencing some sever chest pain, shortness of breathe, sweating, tingling of fingers. I went to the ER and they said my EKG was fine, I have done the ECG and Stress tests. They all come out okay. They gave me Nitro to take if it happened again, I have used it 2 times in the last 5 days. The first time the pain went away within minutes but I waited 15 min. after attack started to take it. The 2nd time I took it right way, I ended up going back to ER, that attack lasted close to 1 hour. Now they think it is possibly my esophagus having spasms. We are going to do an Upper GI to see what that shows, and they put me on Aciphex. I think I am too young for this problem, and I also think I am too young for any type of heart related problems. I have seen a Cardiologist and all he told me was that I had a moderate risk of having a heart attack. My main goal he told me was to quit smoking as I smoke approximately 1 pack a day. I am trying to cut that down alot, but I was wondering what your opinion is on all of this.  I am also a mother and when I have these attacks it makes it impossible for me to care for my son and that scares me a great deal.  Usurally these attacks last at least 20 minutes. It doesnt occur after I eat, it has happened in the morning, afternoon and evening. There doesn't seem to be any real pattern involved.  I have had 7 of these attacks since the end of July.  Please help me on this, I am at the end of my rope with all the testing they are having me do.  What do you suggest?

[vixen]

I am 52 years old and have experienced what i call "esophageal cramping" for approximately 12 years.  The episodes started very infrequently, perhaps twice yearly, but have increased in frequency over the past year.  They are totally unrelated to eating.  They can occur in the middle of the night, while driving, or walking. The best description is a severe cramp in the chest sometimes going up to  the back of the throat. It can last up to 45 minutes.  I have mentioned this to doctors who haven't seemed too concerned since I do not exhibit cardiac symptoms- sweating, shortness of breath, pallor.  I have found that what relieves the pain immediately is taking a bolus of food to swallow- a piece of banana, crackers, even very large gulps of water.  When the food hits the lower esophageal area, there is instant relief from the cramp.  Since the episodes were becoming more frequent my current doctor ordered an esophagram.  I am waiting for the results and am  curious what they find as the test was performed when I did not have an episode.

[Burpee]

I had every GI test know to the medical world find out why I had 'pressure' in my upper back and under my should blade in back. Accompanying this would be convulsions of belching until I would vomit. It is very episodic and your condition sounds similar. It is very debilitating and exhausting. Finally an MRI revealed a not too large herniation that was slight touching my spinal nerve. Not enough to cause pain, but enough to aggravate the Phrenal nerve which controls the autonomic body functions like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, etc. My phrenal nerve spasms. After 3 years, thousands of dollars for doctors and tests, I am taking Neuronton, which is an anti-seizure medication and have experienced the first relief ever. This is actually a neurological disorder masqueraded by digestive symptoms.  Discuss this with your doctor.

[CGHODGE]

One thing that has been found to help with symptoms of Menepause and also PMS......expecially the anxiety symptoms is a good daily dose of Calcium and Magnesium.  This has cut down my PMS symptoms dramatically!  Cindy.........Cincinnati

[dinababy]

In response to kbrundage - I have the same problems you are having, I started two years ago, I woke up with chest pains about 3am, my chest was hurting so bad, i didn't know what to do. I tried tums, baking soda in water, nothing helped.  I finally blacked out.  When I came to I told my husband that I thought I had had a heart attack, went to the ER they ran all kinds of tests -nothing wrong with my heart.  Went to Digestive Health Specalist he ordered all kinds of test, all were ok.  Gall Bladder removed the same day I was being discharged from the hospital, I was having chest pains, notified the nurse was given tylox.  I contine to have these severe chest pains 2- 3 times each month.  I sweat real bad, throw up, after throwing up the pain goes away.  I requested from my doctor something for the pain, the prescribed Darvaset which does each the pain after about 30 min.  The pain is back after about 6 hours, then I take another Darvaset, then the cycle repeats for a 24-hour period.  I keep going back to the Dr. about these attacks was put on prevacid, paxi and a pill if irritable bowel syndrone,  I still have these attacks. During these attacks I can do nothing, I have to lay down and suffer until the pill kicks in to give me relief.  If anyone can help me I surely would appreciate it.  This has been going on for 2 years.  I am 48 years old and wonder if this could be related to menopause. Help

[unhelped]

I have researched the causes of my own chest pain and from what your describing 20 minute duration, not after eating, and happens anytime, is a description of axiety attacks.  If you have difficulty swallowing, feelings of impending doom, and elevated heart rate this also points to axiety disorder.  Sometimes it makes it where your afraid of going anywhere becasue of fear of another attack.  I am still searching for the answers to my problem but maybe this will help you.  I found a website that was very helpful for anxiety issues called www.panicattackhelp.com.  Good Luck

[CGHODGE]

I had the same symptoms you expressed for over 3 years.  I had a scope done x2 also. ....I saw a Cardiologist..and nothing. Guess what it was???  GALLSTONES!  And after 3 years of being told I was having Anxeity attacks and everything else.....I finally found the answer.  With my Gall stones....I only had chest pain..
and chest tightening.  It felt just LIKE A HEART ATTACK!  A simple Ultra Sound of the Gallbladder can spot gall stones.

[cjl]

I know all the tests get annoying, but be patient (no pun intended); that's your ticket for a correct diagnosis.  The cause of chest pain is not always easily diagnosed and sometimes it takes a multitude of tests to reveal the problem.  Hang in there!