oesophageal spasms

I've just found this thread and it's relevant to me, so here goes. I also get the feeling that food has stuck halfway down, causing a pain that grows and spreads across my chest. I've had endoscopy and a swallow test and they say that it is caused by an uncoordinated gullet where the nerves are not firing in the proper sequence to move the food down steadily, but are signalling in a random way. I find that bread is now a no-no, also potato( unless mashed ), also hard apples and can only swallow tablets with the help of a spoonful of thick yoghurt. Avoiding these things makes the condition much more manageable for me.

My mother had her oesophagus stretched many times because she had difficulty swallowing and sometimes passed out from it.. She ended up in her late eighties with cancer of the oesophagus. After she died I found I was having problems swallowing too, plus heartburn and indigestion. Then I heard my niece who was not quite thirty at the time was also having similar problems. It seems to be a problem in my family.

Both my niece and I went for a more alkaline diet as acidic food aggravated both of us. I haven't had much trouble swallowing since eliminating some foods. I also get heartburn or indigestion if I eat acidic food, so usually eat a healthy more alkaline diet.

It has worked for both my niece and me. I regret not knowing this information when my mother was having problems. It seems ridiculous to think of what she went through and could have had much better advice from her doctor.

I have a sliding hiatus hernia, and get heartburn and indigestion, but these spasms are in a league of their own.
I've noticed they are worse if I eat late at night.
I'm kind of resigned to them now, and I don't get the retching or anything. Just intense pain at the top of my stomach (just about where your bra would be)

Didn't realize other people suffered this. Over Christmas I had an attack and thought I was dying. Food stuck in lower oesophagus, could not breathe or swallow, saliva building up, it was 7 hours after constant wretching that a tiny piece of food came up. Also experience the chest pains about once a fortnight, they radiate into my back and Down my right arm and up into my chin., know my heart is sound so didn't know what was. Reading this post has clarified things a bit. After the episode at Christmas, it was a week before I could eat solid food. My family seem to think I can control it by not eating certain things but there is no one type of food that causes it, it just happens.

Yes Marmite, the feeling that food is stuck in the gullet (oesophagus) is a classic symptom.
I also produce excessive saliva that I cannot swallow, gradually the pain eases off.
I wish you all the best with this unpleasant condition.

I have had this on and off for around 15 years. After various tests and visits to consultants including a heart specialist, I was eventually diagnosed with a hiatus hernia. I control it by diet but still occasionally get incredible cramps in my chest, back and jaw which are quite frightening and also the horrible feeling that food is stuck in my chest and won't go either up or down! I have found that swallowing copious amounts of cold water slowly, helps alleviate the pain and discomfort . I can certainly sympathise with anyone who suffers from this.

Gastric problems, are very complicated.Usually you have an endoscopy and a swallow test.To help diagnose the problem.
It took over a year of appointments to determine that I had Oesophageal Spasms. As my tests proved Normal.
I even had my Gall Bladder removed.Which went very smoothly and the recovery was amazingly quick and painless. (They are so clever now) Good luck posters and I am not medically qualified, but this is what I experienced.

I dont know if its related, but I have a weird "wind" thing going on too
Its like a baby gets when they're "full of wind". I can't burp, it gets trapped in my throat area, and makes really loud sounds out of my mouth!
I can't be the only person to experience this, can I?

Yes ladies...it certainly does feel like a heart attack..with pain radiating through to the back...at the time my symptoms were at their very worse, I was confused as to whether It was my spine again as I'd had a spinal tumor removed...but it was the acid reflux & oesophagitis...(inflamation of)the oesophagus....Really feel for you all on here Ladies....it's now six years since my surgery to repair the oesophagus valve that was responsible for the agonising pain, but I still experience it occasionally...especially if i've had a heavier meal than usual...such as over Christmas, so great to be able to share our experiences on here...hope none of you ever go through double surgery as I did..keep well everyone,..best wishes to you all..xx

Could this be acid reflux? I've had spasms for years, the first couple I thought were a heart attack, although the pain's slightly more to the right hand side (stomach) and shoots through to my back, even so it's terryfying when it happens during the night. I've been prescribed Omeprazole(daily). As I've had so many attacks, I've devised a stratagy to cope. If possible, I find laying on my back helps and concentrating on breathing slowly. I think (for me anyway) it's stress related. Talking to others and discovering it's a fairly common ailment, I found comforting (eg: it's not a heart attack). Just trying to relax through the attack really helps. to follow sufferers

Anneey,
A couple of times I have thought it could be my heart, or at least something very serious, because of the pain
To be honest, I had settled on it being some form of indigestion
It wakes me in the early hours, and I end up sitting up, rocking on the edge of the bed, or having to pace.
I'm kind of relieved to have found out what it is, as I've googled lots of conditions and found that they dont fit my symptoms.
Its also annoying due to missing out on sleep.

Not yourself... myself

f77ms, I am afraid I don't know, it sounds painful.
Have you googled it.I am going to right now.

Missadventure, join the club. Do you feel as though you are having a heart attack? It really is too much to bear.
When I am having a spasm, I tell myself that it will soon be over, then I can enjoy yourself again.

Just trying to find the start of this thread because I have Laryngospasm . What is the title and in which category please xx

Hello ladies,
Reading your thread, I just realised that I have these spasms too
A couple of times I've thought that I needed an ambulance, the pain is so severe.
I've puzzled for years as to what it could be, and ruled out indigestion, heartburn etc.
It lasts a couple of hours, usually, and then wears off, much to my relief!

Thanks for replying Anneey..
Glad to hear that you can at least get a good nights sleep sometimes!!....wish I could too!
Likewise, I just cannot give up tea!...in fact , I'm just off to visit my dear dad & do his ironing..then we'll have a lovely chat...over a cup of tea!
Have a good day,
Best wishes....to you & all here on G.Net!..xxx

P.S. Yes cheerfullizzy, I have stopped coffee altogether. I have a coffee substitute (barley and chicory) caffeine free.
I don't miss coffee one little bit.
I just can't give up my tea though.

Thank for your kind words. I am under The Royal Free Hospital.
Unfortunately there isn't much they can do.
I have had all the usual medications, I hesitate to use as they poison my body unnecessarily. The last medication was Amitriptyline. (A nerve block) I find that it doesn't stop the spasms,
But helps a little, in as much as relaxes and I have a good nights sleep.The good news is that I have no symptoms between attacks.
Appreciate you support.

Hello Anneey..hope today you are not experiencing any awful pain...
And the thought crossed my mind...have you been offered omeprazole or lansaprazole by your gp to help?...it could well be worth your while asking to try them.....i also found that losing a few pounds in wieght helps...easier said than done..I know...
Thanks for your kind words...don't be sorry about posting in the wrong way...i'm much worse!!! we are only human ...& of course..we all make mistakes! I truly hope you get some help with this Anneey..as it's so painful...it ruins daily life at times...avoid caffeine...I switched to decaffeinated tea & coffee....go back to your gp and ask for further investigation....it's totally unfair to have to grin & bare it....it's not the medical proffessionals suffering the agonising pain ..it's you....and you really shouldn't have to...wishing you well & all the best..keep in touch on here...i'd love to hear how you progress (flowers]..xxx