Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

[Guest guest]

I have had my gall bladder removed.  I used to feel like someone hit me in my

stomach kind of like you are describing.  Have you had the test to see if it is

functioning at all? 

Talk to you doctor. 

 

Best of luck

 

Sharon Cline

 

From: lynnej73 <lynnej73@...>

Subject: Where do you feel your spasms?

achalasia

Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 10:56 AM

 

I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with dor

fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the surgeons in

his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of Pittsburgh

hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage for

the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain. It wakes

me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at other times.

I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s back then that

confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not consider surgery.

The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from a spasm. He thinks it

is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan. If it shows the stone or

more he is recommending to have my gall bladder removed while they are doing the

myotomy.

Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A and

pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks! Lynne

[Guest guest]

HI . I had the HIDA scan about 8 years ago. I never got the actual

number but they said my gallbladder was functioning in the normal range. I had

a small stone. We'll see what the new scan shows. Thanks!! Traci

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds very much to me like it could well be spasm related. My spasms encompass

the entire thorax with radiation to back and jaw.

Kim

________________________________

From: lynnej73 <lynnej73@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:02 PM

Subject: Where do you feel your spasms?

 

Just curious where you feel spasm pain. I have had pain on my front side under

my ribs that radiates to my back. First I thought it was gallbladder then I

figured it was spasms. Dr. thinks it is from my gallbladder. He doesn't think

spasms would cause pain there. Having lap heller with dor soon and dr. is

scanning gallbladder to see if it has stones. If it does, he is recommending

that it comes out during the surgery. I had a small stone discovered about 8

years ago that was two small to warrant gall bladder removal. Thanks for your

input. Lynne

[Guest guest]

I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

removed because it may not improve anything.

S

-- Where do you feel your spasms?

I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

removed while they are doing the myotomy.

Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

Lynne

------------------------------------

HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

providing the latest news and disease information and support.

The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

I had my worst spasms yet today. Ended up paying a visit to the ER after I hit

the 4 hr mark. I get the pain right along my sternum. They hydrated me,

medicated me for my nausea and gave me pain meds after I had been given lots of

nitro spray. I used to think not being able to eat was the crappy part, but

these spasms are way worse. :/

Jenn

On Mar 21, 2012, at 21:15, " ravenstorm2008@... " <ravenstorm2008@...>

wrote:

> I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

> the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

> to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

> when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> removed because it may not improve anything.

>

> S

>

>

>

>

> -- Where do you feel your spasms?

>

> I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

>

> My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

> other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

> a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> removed while they are doing the myotomy.

>

> Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

> and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> Lynne

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

> offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> providing the latest news and disease information and support.

>

> The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

> our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

> safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

>

> Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

Yep....those spasms certainly wear you down after a while!

>

> > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

> > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

> > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

> > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > removed because it may not improve anything.

> >

> > S

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> >

> > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> >

> > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

> > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

> > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> >

> > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

> > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> > Lynne

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

> > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> >

> > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

> > our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

> > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

> >

> > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

I dont like the panic that comes with them...

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 22, 2012, at 0:13, " lindsayaus " <lindsay_kite@...> wrote:

> Yep....those spasms certainly wear you down after a while!

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still

have

> > > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> > > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> > > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just

have

> > > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have

spasms

> > > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > > removed because it may not improve anything.

> > >

> > > S

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> > >

> > > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> > > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> > > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> > >

> > > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> > > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> > > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur

at

> > > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> > > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area

from

> > > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> > > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> > >

> > > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the

A

> > > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> > > Lynne

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up

to

> > > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> > > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> > >

> > > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all

of

> > > our individual support group members. The community center offers members

a

> > > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > > information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

> > >

> > > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear that - I think we've all been there. It's scary thinking that

" this time " they may not ever end...but eventually they do. I'm glad you got

through it - seems like it takes more out of you every time.

Kim

________________________________

From: " adoptivemommy@... " <adoptivemommy@...>

" achalasia " <achalasia >

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 11:00 PM

Subject: Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

 

I had my worst spasms yet today. Ended up paying a visit to the ER after I hit

the 4 hr mark. I get the pain right along my sternum. They hydrated me,

medicated me for my nausea and gave me pain meds after I had been given lots of

nitro spray. I used to think not being able to eat was the crappy part, but

these spasms are way worse. :/

Jenn

On Mar 21, 2012, at 21:15, " ravenstorm2008@... " <ravenstorm2008@...>

wrote:

> I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

> the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

> to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

> when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> removed because it may not improve anything.

>

> S

>

>

>

>

> -- Where do you feel your spasms?

>

> I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

>

> My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

> other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

> a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> removed while they are doing the myotomy.

>

> Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

> and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> Lynne

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

> offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> providing the latest news and disease information and support.

>

> The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

> our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

> safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

>

> Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

And not knowing when they are going to hit! Often come in the supermarket and I

can't get out of there quick enough.

Was worried I was going to get one at my SIL's mother's funeral last

week...luckily I didn't!

> > >

> > > > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still

have

> > > > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than

from

> > > > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms

can

> > > > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just

have

> > > > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have

spasms

> > > > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > > > removed because it may not improve anything.

> > > >

> > > > S

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> > > >

> > > > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy

with

> > > > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > > > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University

of

> > > > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> > > >

> > > > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front

ribcage

> > > > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the

pain.

> > > > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur

at

> > > > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > > > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did

not

> > > > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area

from

> > > > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a

scan.

> > > > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > > > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> > > >

> > > > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if

the A

> > > > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain.

Thanks!

> > > > Lynne

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ------------------------------------

> > > >

> > > > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up

to

> > > > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > > > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated

to

> > > > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> > > >

> > > > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for

all of

> > > > our individual support group members. The community center offers

members a

> > > > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > > > information and support with others beyond their own private

communities.

> > > >

> > > > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty little (or big)

secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

Yeah, under the sternum, radiating into the back. Chest pain can be very

localized or diffuse.

I can't believe an ER actually treated jenn's spasms and pain. I've been in the

ER and heard, " [acalasia's] just a swallowing disorder. " the staff gave me an

article on strictures. That was helpful. NOT!

If you don't go in there with a 3 feet stack of records, they won't understand.

(I guess like when my dying Dad was rushed to the same ER with a clogged

permacath and had to wait FIVE hours after some kids without medical insurance

had their pediatric care...)

Actually i read some good advice on ER visits. Prepare an ER action item list of

the treatments you've had, symptoms, pain management, responses or outcomes to

it, and people who can verify.

Most ERs really don't care about achalasia.

Steve

>

> > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

> > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

> > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

> > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > removed because it may not improve anything.

> >

> > S

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> >

> > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> >

> > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

> > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

> > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> >

> > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

> > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> > Lynne

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

> > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> >

> > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

> > our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

> > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

> >

> > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

I've been lucky on recent ER visits that they have given pain meds. But the

first ones did nothing - treated me like I was a drug addict just trying to get

a fix. Finally a doc contacted my GI and I'm on record with needing the relief.

But they still always want to go through the routine of ruling out cardiac pain

- which I refuse to pay for.  I've thought about asking for a letter from the

GI documenting the condition and need for pain meds. Wonder if that would speed

things up?

Kim

________________________________

From: nailheader <stevenakamichi@...>

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 2:44 AM

Subject: Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

 

I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty little (or big)

secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

Yeah, under the sternum, radiating into the back. Chest pain can be very

localized or diffuse.

I can't believe an ER actually treated jenn's spasms and pain. I've been in the

ER and heard, " [acalasia's] just a swallowing disorder. " the staff gave me an

article on strictures. That was helpful. NOT!

If you don't go in there with a 3 feet stack of records, they won't understand.

(I guess like when my dying Dad was rushed to the same ER with a clogged

permacath and had to wait FIVE hours after some kids without medical insurance

had their pediatric care...)

Actually i read some good advice on ER visits. Prepare an ER action item list of

the treatments you've had, symptoms, pain management, responses or outcomes to

it, and people who can verify.

Most ERs really don't care about achalasia.

Steve

>

> > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still have

> > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just have

> > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have spasms

> > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > removed because it may not improve anything.

> >

> > S

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> >

> > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> >

> > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur at

> > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area from

> > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> >

> > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the A

> > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> > Lynne

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up to

> > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> >

> > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all of

> > our individual support group members. The community center offers members a

> > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

> >

> > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

I think it helped that I had petechia all over my face from committing. I was

shaking and quite upset. I have been there about every 7-10 days in the last

month so the stack of charts there helps them see what is happening. The last

few times I have been in they told me they see the ER as a bridge between me and

surgery and they can help with symptom relief when needed. Every time I go

though I am paranoid to get a doc that isn't as understanding....

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 22, 2012, at 3:44, " nailheader " <stevenakamichi@...> wrote:

> I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty little (or

big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

>

> Yeah, under the sternum, radiating into the back. Chest pain can be very

localized or diffuse.

>

> I can't believe an ER actually treated jenn's spasms and pain. I've been in

the ER and heard, " [acalasia's] just a swallowing disorder. " the staff gave me

an article on strictures. That was helpful. NOT!

>

> If you don't go in there with a 3 feet stack of records, they won't

understand. (I guess like when my dying Dad was rushed to the same ER with a

clogged permacath and had to wait FIVE hours after some kids without medical

insurance had their pediatric care...)

>

> Actually i read some good advice on ER visits. Prepare an ER action item list

of the treatments you've had, symptoms, pain management, responses or outcomes

to it, and people who can verify.

>

> Most ERs really don't care about achalasia.

>

> Steve

>

>

> >

> > > I had the same pain which led to my gallbladder being removed. I still

have

> > > the pain under my ribcage. It is more likely to be from a spasm than from

> > > your gallbladder especially if drinking water makes it stop. My spasms can

> > > be stopped if I drink water immediately. If I wait too long then I just

have

> > > to wait it out. I think most doctors don't understand how we can have

spasms

> > > when there is no motility in the E. Don't rush to have your gallbladder

> > > removed because it may not improve anything.

> > >

> > > S

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > -- Where do you feel your spasms?

> > >

> > > I met with the surgeon and will be scheduled for a lap heller myotomy with

> > > dor fundoplication soon. He has done many myotomies and has trained the

> > > surgeons in his practice. I am having it done at one of the University of

> > > Pittsburgh hospitals and feel confident that I have made a good choice.

> > >

> > > My question is that I have suffered with pain under my right front ribcage

> > > for the past 10 years. No one could figure out what was causing the pain.

> > > It wakes me up from a deep sleep usually in the early a.m. but can occur

at

> > > other times. I can usually get rid of it by drinking water. I had an u/s

> > > back then that confirmed a gallstone but it was so small that they did not

> > > consider surgery. The surgeon said I should not feel pain in that area

from

> > > a spasm. He thinks it is gall bladder related and wants me to have a scan.

> > > If it shows the stone or more he is recommending to have my gall bladder

> > > removed while they are doing the myotomy.

> > >

> > > Just wondering if anyone else has pain in this area from spasms or if the

A

> > > and pain are unrelated and it is my gall bladder causing the pain. Thanks!

> > > Lynne

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > > HealthShare International Support Network and CheckOrphan have teamed up

to

> > > offer a private, nonprofit, global community serving patients, family

> > > members, friends, educators and medical professionals. We are dedicated to

> > > providing the latest news and disease information and support.

> > >

> > > The CheckOrphan-HealthShare community center is the meeting place for all

of

> > > our individual support group members. The community center offers members

a

> > > safe and private environment to come together, make friends, share

> > > information and support with others beyond their own private communities.

> > >

> > > Join us at http://myhealthshare.org

[Guest guest]

Steve wrote:

>

> I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

>

Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number of

ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

common problem.

notan

[Guest guest]

As I get closer to my surgery date it seems that my spasms are increasing

as well. I have had a long talk with my surgeon and he suggested that if I

have a spasm attack that lasts longer than a few minutes that I should head

to the ER for assistance. His thought is that the spasms are caused by

food particles that get stuck and the E is trying to move them along but

because the opening that they need to fit through is too restricted the

muscles just keep tightening in hopes that they can force the particle

along. While this thought kind of makes sense, I started trying chugging

liquids when I have a spasm and while it can be difficult because the

liquid at times becomes projectiles as I violently regurgitate it back up

it does seem to have some effect on moving stuff around and normally helps

reduce the intensity of the spasms.

I will say though that starting yesterday, I have been having small but

noticeable spasms that I have not been real successful at abating. They

almost seem like muscle twitches or spasms right under my lower ribs. Some

of the spasms are quite intense and subside with a deep breathing technique

that helps me to relax but it does not always work.

Back to why my surgeon suggested going to the ER when I have spasms. He

suggested it so that once I get to the ER I could have them do an endoscopy

removal of whatever food maybe lodged in the lower E and maybe the cause of

the spasms. Has anyone here been to the ER while having spasms and had the

experience of them doing an endoscopy to remove lodged food particles out

of the lower E??? Has anyone had their GI or surgeon suggest this scenario

before for spasms???

Thanks! ~ Geoffrey

On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 8:39 PM, notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> Steve wrote:

> >

> > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

> >

>

> Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number of

> ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> common problem.

>

> notan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think the ER's would have their hands full if we all went in every time we had

a spasm!

> > >

> > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

> > >

> >

> > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number of

> > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > common problem.

> >

> > notan

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

While my specific experience with ER's should not be accepted as gospel,

Geoffrey, I would be very hesitatant to test out your surgeon's spasm " theory "

in that venue. The kinds of pains we experience, as you well know, to an ER

physician, experienced with heart attacks, but likely never having heard of

achalasia, would lead them to pursue a course of action not consistent with what

you want done.  Secondly, gastroenterologists in the ER are not usually

available at your beck and call. By the time someone slips an endoscope in

there, chances are that you will no longer be having the spasm.

Nobody has yet established a definite reason why spasms occur. Perhaps there

could be many different reasons. Anecdotally, the two most reliable causes,

though we don't know why, is " stress " and " going for long hours without eating

or drinking. "   There could be others that I don't recall at this time.

 

For arguments sake (aka " sake of discussion) that your surgeon is correct, about

food sitting in the esophagus causing nerve cells to " ignite " to move the food

along, would I rather sit for hours in an ER, first telling them it is not a

cardiac event, followed by an endoscope being shoved down my throat for food

that may or may not be there, or just have several glasses of my favorite drink

to push the food down and stop the spasm?

 

Geoffrey, of course you're correct to speak to your doctors, and to share that

information with the rest of us, and I thank you for that. Personally speaking,

I would rather take that information you gave us and devise my own course of

action to then stop the spasms before running to an ER and telling them to scope

me.

 

To answer your specific questions, it has been too many years since I had my

barium removal ER visit supervised by my doctor when a quart of barium has to be

removed from my esophagus to save my life.  More recently, my son got a piece

of meat stuck in the base of his esophagus. The chunk would not come up or go

down. My son was in an extreme amount of pain. He was dizzy, had nausea, and

trouble breathing. They did nothing for 14 hours to get the food out. I was with

him, and for all my decades with achalasia, and pleading with them to get a

gastroenterologist to get an endoscope to push the food down, or grab it back

up, they refused to call the doctor because it was NOT considered life

threatening to the ER doctor! My son had to suffer all night until the ER doctor

showed up, then in a matter of minutes scoped him and took him out of his

misery. This ER was in one of New York City's largest and most respected

hospitals.  I learned (already knew) that

when you go to an ER, you give up your freedom of choice. You, as the patient,

did not go to medical school, and you must follow their protocols. While it is

one thing to meet your doctor there, if such is not the case I would never go

there to relieve an esophageal spasm until I had exhausted all other

possibilities.

 

________________________________

From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

achalasia

Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 8:29 AM

Subject: Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

 

I think the ER's would have their hands full if we all went in every time we had

a spasm!

> > >

> > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

> > >

> >

> > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number of

> > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > common problem.

> >

> > notan

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Great reply and insight !

I totally agree with you in dealing with home remedy for the spasm before

heading to the ER. I have been to the ER before while experiencing intense

pain and they seemed to take their sweet time deciding on a pain treatment

plan. So I am very hesitant to head to the ER in order to get treated for

a spasm unless it was a life or death situation.

~ Geoffrey

On Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 10:37 AM, RICHARD FRIEDMAN <cynmark24@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> While my specific experience with ER's should not be accepted as gospel,

> Geoffrey, I would be very hesitatant to test out your surgeon's spasm

> " theory " in that venue. The kinds of pains we experience, as you well know,

> to an ER physician, experienced with heart attacks, but likely never having

> heard of achalasia, would lead them to pursue a course of action not

> consistent with what you want done. Secondly, gastroenterologists in the

> ER are not usually available at your beck and call. By the time someone

> slips an endoscope in there, chances are that you will no longer be having

> the spasm.

> Nobody has yet established a definite reason why spasms occur. Perhaps

> there could be many different reasons. Anecdotally, the two most reliable

> causes, though we don't know why, is " stress " and " going for long hours

> without eating or drinking. " There could be others that I don't recall at

> this time.

>

> For arguments sake (aka " sake of discussion) that your surgeon is correct,

> about food sitting in the esophagus causing nerve cells to " ignite " to move

> the food along, would I rather sit for hours in an ER, first telling them

> it is not a cardiac event, followed by an endoscope being shoved down my

> throat for food that may or may not be there, or just have several glasses

> of my favorite drink to push the food down and stop the spasm?

>

> Geoffrey, of course you're correct to speak to your doctors, and to share

> that information with the rest of us, and I thank you for that. Personally

> speaking, I would rather take that information you gave us and devise my

> own course of action to then stop the spasms before running to an ER and

> telling them to scope me.

>

> To answer your specific questions, it has been too many years since I had

> my barium removal ER visit supervised by my doctor when a quart of barium

> has to be removed from my esophagus to save my life. More recently, my son

> got a piece of meat stuck in the base of his esophagus. The chunk would not

> come up or go down. My son was in an extreme amount of pain. He was dizzy,

> had nausea, and trouble breathing. They did nothing for 14 hours to get the

> food out. I was with him, and for all my decades with achalasia, and

> pleading with them to get a gastroenterologist to get an endoscope to push

> the food down, or grab it back up, they refused to call the doctor because

> it was NOT considered life threatening to the ER doctor! My son had to

> suffer all night until the ER doctor showed up, then in a matter of minutes

> scoped him and took him out of his misery. This ER was in one of New York

> City's largest and most respected hospitals. I learned (already knew) that

> when you go to an ER, you give up your freedom of choice. You, as the

> patient, did not go to medical school, and you must follow their protocols.

> While it is one thing to meet your doctor there, if such is not the case I

> would never go there to relieve an esophageal spasm until I had exhausted

> all other possibilities.

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

> achalasia

> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 8:29 AM

> Subject: Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

>

>

>

> I think the ER's would have their hands full if we all went in every time

> we had a spasm!

>

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to

> address.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number

> of

> > > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > > common problem.

> > >

> > > notan

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi

I have posted earlier that I get spasms only when food is stuck in the e.

I stand up against a counter, put my hands on the top of the head, breath

heavily for a few minutes, this expands the lungs and forces the food

down.Walking up a hill also helps greatly, expanding the lungs.!

Then I take a can of real COKE ( or diet)swallow it with a big chug, many times.

It works for me at every meal, if necessary. The CO2 in the Coke opens the LES,

if you finish the Coke the spasm should disappear. It is important to get a can

that has a lot of CO2.

Opening the LES using CO2 has been reported.

When I was real bad several years ago, I would walk to Mcs and drink the

CO2 off the fountain drinks, for several minutes. After a short time I could

finish the drink. Later I went back to coffee after I figured out how to manage

the A.

Ray CA OC

> > >

> > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to address.

> > >

> >

> > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number of

> > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > common problem.

> >

> > notan

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Does anyone have spasms that are triggered by stress and not by food? I had

a cardio work up, with CAT scan, ultrasound and stress test, and checked

out just fine. The chest pain trigger is a moment of uncontrolled stress

that seems unrelated any food or drink. There are no other symptoms other

than the pain.

On Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 3:29 PM, mer <ray_me_99@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Hi

>

> I have posted earlier that I get spasms only when food is stuck in the e.

>

> I stand up against a counter, put my hands on the top of the head, breath

> heavily for a few minutes, this expands the lungs and forces the food

> down.Walking up a hill also helps greatly, expanding the lungs.!

>

> Then I take a can of real COKE ( or diet)swallow it with a big chug, many

> times. It works for me at every meal, if necessary. The CO2 in the Coke

> opens the LES, if you finish the Coke the spasm should disappear. It is

> important to get a can that has a lot of CO2.

>

> Opening the LES using CO2 has been reported.

>

> When I was real bad several years ago, I would walk to Mcs and drink

> the CO2 off the fountain drinks, for several minutes. After a short time I

> could finish the drink. Later I went back to coffee after I figured out how

> to manage the A.

>

> Ray CA OC

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to

> address.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number

> of

> > > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > > common problem.

> > >

> > > notan

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi

Found an old article that has helped me regarding hot water swallows.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9649001

I now use hot coffee every morning at Mcs, put the top on it and try to

chug it down with the head back. Mcs serves hot coffee!

It may be stress related, but you could try this or a can of Coke.

After most meals in the evening I have a hot heating pad on the chest, then the

food goes down, may take an hour. Then before bed I clean out the e drinking 16

oz water, usually cold or could be hot if avalible ,and use a spit up glass to

bring up the junk!

Ray CA OC

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to

> > address.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > > > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number

> > of

> > > > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > > > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > > > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > > > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > > > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > > > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > > > common problem.

> > > >

> > > > notan

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Ray wrote:

>

>

> Found an old article that has helped me regarding hot water swallows.

>

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9649001

>

A good find, thanks for posting it.

notan

[Guest guest]

I couldnt drink anything carbonated I would choke so bad I thought I would

die.  chocolate milk worked for me

________________________________

From: mer <ray_me_99@...>

achalasia

Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 3:29 PM

Subject: Re: Where do you feel your spasms?

 

Hi

I have posted earlier that I get spasms only when food is stuck in the e.

I stand up against a counter, put my hands on the top of the head, breath

heavily for a few minutes, this expands the lungs and forces the food

down.Walking up a hill also helps greatly, expanding the lungs.!

Then I take a can of real COKE ( or diet)swallow it with a big chug, many times.

It works for me at every meal, if necessary. The CO2 in the Coke opens the LES,

if you finish the Coke the spasm should disappear. It is important to get a can

that has a lot of CO2.

Opening the LES using CO2 has been reported.

When I was real bad several years ago, I would walk to Mcs and drink the

CO2 off the fountain drinks, for several minutes. After a short time I could

finish the drink. Later I went back to coffee after I figured out how to manage

the A.

Ray CA OC

[Guest guest]

I appreciate all of your responses. I am pretty convinced that the pain I am

having is spasms. Or, it could be a combination of the two with the gallbladder

waking me up at night and the spasms coming randomly. I do feel like the pain

is somewhat different. Yesterday I stubbed my toe and automatically had a

spasm. I was in double pain and trying to run for water!

Am I reading right that spasms seem to increase after myotomy? Uggghh.

Also if you have spasms that a myotomy might not be as effective? I am praying

that is not the case.

I so wish we could all get sorted out and move on with life! Lynne

[Guest guest]

Lynne,

My spasms used to wake me up at roughly the same time every night, and are

always worse after a dilatation or after my HM. But peppermint oil capsules

really help during the day, and magnesium supplements. Between the 2 of them

I've only had a couple if minor spasms over the past month.

Might be worth a try?

Good luck

>

> I appreciate all of your responses. I am pretty convinced that the pain I am

having is spasms. Or, it could be a combination of the two with the gallbladder

waking me up at night and the spasms coming randomly. I do feel like the pain

is somewhat different. Yesterday I stubbed my toe and automatically had a

spasm. I was in double pain and trying to run for water!

>

> Am I reading right that spasms seem to increase after myotomy? Uggghh.

>

> Also if you have spasms that a myotomy might not be as effective? I am

praying that is not the case.

>

> I so wish we could all get sorted out and move on with life! Lynne

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I have spasms that definitely triggered by stress!!!

 

> **

>

>

> Hi

>

> I have posted earlier that I get spasms only when food is stuck in the e.

>

> I stand up against a counter, put my hands on the top of the head, breath

> heavily for a few minutes, this expands the lungs and forces the food

> down.Walking up a hill also helps greatly, expanding the lungs.!

>

> Then I take a can of real COKE ( or diet)swallow it with a big chug, many

> times. It works for me at every meal, if necessary. The CO2 in the Coke

> opens the LES, if you finish the Coke the spasm should disappear. It is

> important to get a can that has a lot of CO2.

>

> Opening the LES using CO2 has been reported.

>

> When I was real bad several years ago, I would walk to Mcs and drink

> the CO2 off the fountain drinks, for several minutes. After a short time I

> could finish the drink. Later I went back to coffee after I figured out how

> to manage the A.

>

> Ray CA OC

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I'm glad others are finally admitting chest pain. It's the dirty

> > > > little (or big) secret in achalasia most GIs would prefer not to

> address.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Spasm pain, NCCP pain, neuropathy pain and unknown pains have been

> > > common topics in the support group for many years. There are a number

> of

> > > ER horror stories in the old messages. No secrete here. There are some

> > > here that have consider esophagectomy just for the pain relief and at

> > > least one chose that option. Some doctors are surprised to find out how

> > > much talk about pain there is in this group. Some do read the messages

> > > here even if they don't reply. Some of the literature on achalasia does

> > > a good job on the subject but other literature implies it is not a

> > > common problem.

> > >

> > > notan

> > >

> > >

> > >