Esophagael Spasm???

[lulu1970]

Hello,
I'm a 38 yr old woman looking for even a bit of insight into my problem. I have symptoms often after eating that feel like my heart is stopping or almost like something is squeezing or blocking of my bloodflow to my heart. I know it sounds very odd but that is what it feels like to me. It used to happen only once in a while, now it happens several times a day and it brings on immense anxiety attacks. I also often wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air which is terrifying. I definitely notice a difference when I eat certain foods and have completely cut out wheat, dairy, caffeine, citrus but these symptoms never seem to go away. I had my gallbladder removed about 9 yrs ago because the doctor I was seeing at the time said that was my problem but I've always regretted that surgery because it didn't help. I've also seen a heart specialist who said my heart is normal so my next step is to see the gastro specialist.

Any insight would be appreciated,
Thank you

[turbo236]

And, lulu, it may be worth trying some sort of over the counter acid reducer/PPI as well.  Off the top of my head, Prilosec (Omeprazole) is available in an OTC formula, and has a generic equivalent as well.  

[turbo236]

Hello lulu,

I will try to keep my reply short and informative.  I was diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) a few months ago.  Your symptoms remind me very well of what I was going through before I began treatment for it.  I would wake up not breathing, with a terrible pain in my chest.  Other days I would just wake with chest pain.  The important thing I was told with GERD related chest pain is that the pain will go away after a few seconds or a minute.  It can also cause esophageal spasms, which are like severe hiccups to me.  Very horrible thing to wake up to.  GERD is basically caused by the barrier between your stomach and esophagus, the esophageal sphincter, not operating properly, and an abnormality in your level of stomach acid.  This allows the contents of your stomach (including the acid) to work their way up your esophagus, where they can cause a lot of damage and some of the symptoms you've described.  The usual treatment for GERD is either a change in diet, or a medication called a proton pump inhibitor.  My doctor prescribed me nexium which has nearly eliminated these nasty symptoms.  I will include a link to an article about GERD in my reply and say that your GI Dr. will be able to diagnose you much better than any of us can. In the meantime, you may be able to try what is called the BRAT diet.  That is; Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast.  Not very appealing but it may be worth a shot to see if it calms your symptoms down at all.  Good Luck!

[lulu1970]

Thanks, good point. I am very familiar with celiac disease as my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law both have it. I don't appear to have any problems with gluten but never say never, I can't be 100% sure at this point. Right now, I am waiting on the results of an H. Pylori test and an appt for the gastro specialist.

[crambone]

check into cealics disease,,or yes,,esophigeal spasms are possilbe..no doubt.
there is also something with the esophigus i cannot remember what it is called,but it gets to where there is like no using it,,kinda like a arm that dont work!,,and if you try to use it,such as swallowing,,it can cause you disconfort,and feel like your going to choke,,,people worse case sinario have to have a feed tube put in.
have they done a upper gi and check out ulcers?
also a ct scan with barrium contrast would help to identify possible problems.