Anyone ever had bileral diaphragm spasm?

[HVAC]

The other night I had a severe bilateral diaphragm spasm. It went in five waves and lasted over an hour. My ribs were not involved that I know of. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I sweated profusely and felt like the wind was knocked out of me and I wanted to vomit. Lying down helped. I have not had another spasm but my voice is weak. All I have read about a MS hug is between the ribs. This was definitely the diaphragm.

My doctors do not think it a problem and have not given me an appointment. I hate going to a doctor anyway. I asked if I should go for a heart work up and they said no unless it happens again and then to call EMS. They think it is anxiety or indigestion. It was not like an anxiety attack I used to get those.

They only other possibility besides MS I see is something pushing from under the diaphragm.

Alex

[rendean]

My thought was angina or coronary vasospasm since you also had jaw pain with your symptoms. My suggestion , even though you won't do it is an EKG. If it returns in any shape or fashion please go to the ER!!!

Ren

[jensequitur]

Yup, don't ignore pain symptoms like that - reference my earlier blood clot, which I thought was just severe spasticity.  

[Wobbly]

that sounds like the pains I had years ago and thought it was my heart, went to the clinic and they said no my heart was OK... years later they said it was GERDS?  Now, I'm taking Pariet daily for the past few years and have not had another attack like that?  

I don't know if it's the same or what??  

hope you find out and let you Dr know... don't go through that pain.
take care
wobbly

[COBOB]

Diaphragm spasms are quite common.  They are called hiccoughs or hiccups.  When the diaphragm contracts, air is pulled into the lungs.  When released, air is expelled.  Your symptoms do not really sounds like a spasm of the diaphragm.  Could it have been bilateral diaphragm palsy?  That would be possible with a cervical or brain lesion.

Bob

[HVAC]

Bob,
  This was no hiccup or hicough which I have been getting a lot lately and never had before. No this was was like my diaphragm was a dish towel and someone was ringing it for all it was worth. I could not speak, it was the worst pain I have ever had. Worse than my two acl tears, an almond size kidney stone, or a migraine that put me into dry heaves for 9 hours.

I was nauseated, it was as if I had fallen off a horse and had the wind knocked out of me and I was sweating bullets. It would abate and I would feel relieved and then it it would start again, five times for over 15 minutes. I could not talk and am still having trouble supporting my voice and I was trained as an Opera Singer.

I just had a full physical a couple of weeks ago and my lungs and blood work were good.

I do have brain stem involvement.

Alex

[essdipity]

Alex, that sounds horrible. I would have called 911, and hope you will, if anything even remotely like that happens again.

Sending the most gentle of hugs,

ess

[HVAC]

Thanks Ess I was out of town. I realized everything my Doctors have down played with me over the years has been real and serious. Never have I gone to them and they said nothing is wrong. Usually it is wow you really are sick or hurt, how did you stand this.

My DH says he will take me to the ER if anything else goes on this week end.

Thanks you guys.

Alex

[johnnymutt]

Alex,

I do get the diaphragm spasms quite often these days, and have had them off and on for years. I truly feel for you, as I know there are very few pains spasm wise, that hurt as bad as the diaphragm.

The two ways I deal with them best is
1. Stop whatever I'm doing, even if it involves pulling the car over, and really concentrating on relaxation. There is no stretch I have found that eases the pain. It usually happens to me while I'm at work and working in a manlift. The safety bar on the manlift is just the right height to agitate that muscle. Stopping and concentrating on relaxing has worked  a few times for that one.

2. Sometimes I've found that tapping the diaphragm lightly with your fingers can help relieve the cramp...... Sometimes...

My spasms usually last any where from 3mins, to a couple of days. The couple of days is really bad needless to say. The inability to breath really can beat the krap out of you, not to mention the shear pain involved.

Best wishes to you, keep fighting the good fight kiddo!

Johnny

[Quixotic1]

Read my lips!!!!    9 1 1 !!!!

It sounds like a possible MI and should be treated as such until proven otherwise.

Q

[rendean]

Thanks Quix! She wouldn't read my lips either . And her PCP blew off. At a minimum an EKG and cardiac enzymes are in order, especially with the jaw pain she didn't mention.

See, I'm not nuts Alex (well, maybe a little but I did have the right advice).

Follow Mama Quix's orders and I hope you continue to feel better.

Hugs,
ren

[HVAC]

I feel great today truly. The ERs near me if you are not messed up when you go in you are when you leave. A friend of mine was sent there last month with a sinus infection by an Urgent Care and they almost caused a heart attack by giving her an undiluted bag of potassium then asked what she was there for. My last ER experience ended me up with a blood infection. I am not taking this lightly. My DH and I had a big discussion what to do  yesterday. If anything changes I will call 911.

[rendean]

I'm glad you are feeling so well!! I know your DH will take action if need be. Still don't overdo it, please!

Ren

[COBOB]

th be told, ERs really handle MIs and "Emergencies" pretty well.  It always surprises me that people equate Urgent Care or Primary Care Services with Emergency Care.   If Durham Regional Hospital is an issue, head up to Duke.   It has one of the best Emergency Departments on the East Coast.  They also have Urgent Care and Primary care services.

I have spent a lot of time in RTP and have had the unfortunate need to go to Duke University ER once for some debridement and sutures.  There was a trauma case going when I was there and thought their teams looked pretty sharp.

BobTru

[PastorDan]

Has anyone suggested gall bladder?  I remember my last two attacks; I was absolutely certain I would die on the bathroom floor, after heaving all my innards into the bottomless porcelain pit.  It definitely came in waves, made me not simply want to, but actually vomit (and how!), and lying down helped, until I couldn't bring air in and I had to sit up again, which generally made me feel like I had to throw up again.

Just thinking out loud.  Hope it's all gone before you read this.

[HVAC]

Pastor Dan,
   Thanks I had mine out in May. This was way worse than my gall bladder.

[PastorDan]

Okay; I had forgotten about you having that surgery.  Whatever it was, I pray it's gone for good.  Plan B: they find something easily, painlessly curable tomorrow, or whenever it is you go for the cardiac workup.

[jumpinjiminy]

So scary. I've had a few similar events. Years ago it was the gall bladder spasms that doubled me right over without warning. No stones, treated with an antispasmodic that worked well when I could feel that tension building down there.

Then a couple of months ago, there was a tight squeezing in the middle below right below the ribcage and at the same time a squeezing in the back of my throat and back of my tongue. It was like my body was getting ready to throw up, but I wasn't nauseous. The spasms hung on for about two hours, and during that time it started feeling like I wasn't getting enough O2, you know, like when you hold your breath too long? So I went to the urgent care center and they basically told me they didn't know what it was, and that if I couldn't breathe (which apparently wasn't the case at the time and my O2 sat was perfectly fine), then I should call 911, not drive down to the urgent care band aid station in town.

It came back a few times after that, then went away for a while, then came back in lesser forms just on the right side under the ribcage. This is what reminded me I've had spasms like that before, the "gall bladder" spasms.

I do hope you get some relief. It is painful, and frightening. And so frustrating when nobody takes it seriously, or doesn't have any idea what it is.

[PastorDan]

Surgeon said my gall bladder was so filled with stones that it came out looking like a beanbag.

Dad saved a few of his gall stones in a jar, and kept them at work in his desk drawer to show off.  One was the size of a golf ball.

Whatever this is, Alex, we are still praying.

[HVAC]

Thanks Dan. I get winded very fast if I do anything. I really doubt it is my heart but I know you can't play.

Alex

[cyndi25]

Hi..
Hope you havent had any of those nasty spasms lately.. I just came accross this post
today, and Yes, I do know all to well what you are talking about.. I have had this first time ,sometime back, maybe 1years ago, and it was very painful, I did go to the ER and was
treated like it was a Heart condition. ( heart Desease is very strong in my family loosing
brothers at early ages 40's) anyway,just recently, 2nd time,  it was in Sept.. I was at work, and all at once,
I got hit with this spasm, I wanted to scream out in pain, If only I could catch my
breath to yell, it lasted for what seemed like 5 mins, not sure, but only to return, at this
point, my co-worker, an RN, starts to take BP, slightly raised, she tells me she is going
to call an ambulance(I threaten her life if she does so.. )she then calls, my DH, and she calls, my GP, and they tell her to take me to the hospital... they do EKG and take blood, I spent the entire evening
there, The spasms had returned,but not as strong as they were earlier in the day,  , but finally eased
up by time the doctor  got in to see me, which was several hours later.   They release me, had me follow up with my GP and he makes appt for stress test, ect ,everything comes back fine..  GP said that it was more than likely a spasm.
Im telling you... I do not want to experience this type of pain ever again.. it was horrific.
two time was enough, the last being worst then the first.
Hope and pray it never comes back for you either.
but please if it does, go get it checked!!!
Cyndi

[LisaJF]

Next time this happens HVAC, go to the ER, tell them you're having chest pain.  They will take you in immediately and do cardiac enzymes, EKG, the entire work up.  If it is not cardiac, then request a neuro doctor to see you.  

I just dont get it.  With neurological disorders, why would it surprise a doctor of said complaint of what you had with your diaphragm?  I would think anything goes if pain is involved or any other type of neurological issue.  Instead of being understanding and compassionate, they chalk things up to "anxiety" because of the knowledge deficit?  Could they not expand their minds?  Jesus.  Im irritated at some of the things I read in regard to the medical professionals!

I do hope you are feeling better..as time passes.  

You have my prayers.

Be good!

[mannanewmanna]

Absolutely, positively, DO NOT listen to your doctors and get your gallbladder removed!  I suffered from "diaphragm spasms", went to the ER by car and then ambulance on several occasions from 09-10... No doctor could figure it out... But then they sent me to a GI doctor who promised me it was my gallbladder... soon after, I had another attack, and believe me, I signed up for the surgery, because I would have opted to have removed a leg, had they said it was my leg.  Even morphine wouldn't subdue the pain...
I had my gallbladder removed in March of 2010, and just yesterday I was released from the hospital having the same symptoms....
I cannot explain the debilitating pain.  It feels like someone gives you a sucker punch to your solar plexis... you can't breathe... but it is worse than giving birth naturally, I can vouch for that.  The pain radiates through your abdomen and reaches around your back... It feels like someone is reaching in to squeeze your organs and stabbing them at the same time, but of course, you can't scream for help, because you can't breathe and the crushing feeling makes you lose your voice.
BUT I will tell you, that it is not worth having your gallbladder removed.... I am here with the same pain, and the 100% guarantee of colon cancer from the bile that continuously drips from my bile ducts....

[cainer]

Wow sure hope and pray you are alright! i have had that one time- and it was one time to many- no one can take that pain- hugs- gentle ones!!  tick

[jumpinjiminy]

I hope everyone is doing well with this issue. Mine have returned, even after the gall bladder came out in May. Funny thing, I had them the night of the surgery in the hospital. I called the nurse for pain meds and she didn't come by until 2 hours later when my entire abdomen was rock hard and I couldn't get a decent breath. The pain was so intense. She kept telling me to to relax and breathe, I kept telling her it hurt too much, I couldn't. So they dragged me to the bathroom in that condition (is there a kind word for people like that?) because I hadn't passed urine that entire day, only to find that wasn't working either. Nope, it wouldn't pass.

Anyway, even in the middle of the spasm, it got brushed off as ??? I asked her how long before the pain meds kicked in and just about had a cow when she told me 30 minutes. I don't remember much after that, except someone had to come in and relieve my distended bladder.

Gall bladder is gone, spasms still coming. But I would recommend gall bladder surgery if it's an issue for you. I do feel better after having mine out. Quite a bit better on the whole.