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Reflux? More specific symptoms... scared
- Thread starter RobertF
- Start date
T
TEdds83
Guest
HI Robert! You make a really really great point! I am dealing with reflux too. I think Prilosec works great! BUT I am allergic to it. I can go ahead and take it but it gives me stomach cramps and diarrhea. So while I am fixing the reflux problem I am developing another problem in the southern regions. ugh! We are still trying to find something for me to take.
So here are my thoughts on the Prilosec or any other reflux med. The meRAB stop the acid pumps from over doing it. Which is good, however from the information I have been reading up on. Most people have acid reflux because their stomachs are not producing enough digestive enzymes or aciRAB. So that is contrary to what the reflux meRAB are doing. In other worRAB shouldn't we be taking digestive enzymes before meals??? Eating more food with living enzymes?? And perhaps taking the apple cidar vinegar which neutralizes things in the stomach and helps us digest??
So if we throw a Prilosec down there do we will do the digestive enzymes and
apple cidar vinegar as well? Do they work together or against each other?
Last night I took my digestive enzymes before my meal. I actually felt great all night and until noon today and then things are a little touchy again.
Any thoughts from anyone on this?? Thanks!
So here are my thoughts on the Prilosec or any other reflux med. The meRAB stop the acid pumps from over doing it. Which is good, however from the information I have been reading up on. Most people have acid reflux because their stomachs are not producing enough digestive enzymes or aciRAB. So that is contrary to what the reflux meRAB are doing. In other worRAB shouldn't we be taking digestive enzymes before meals??? Eating more food with living enzymes?? And perhaps taking the apple cidar vinegar which neutralizes things in the stomach and helps us digest??
So if we throw a Prilosec down there do we will do the digestive enzymes and
apple cidar vinegar as well? Do they work together or against each other?
Last night I took my digestive enzymes before my meal. I actually felt great all night and until noon today and then things are a little touchy again.
Any thoughts from anyone on this?? Thanks!
J
justfinewg
Guest
Hello,
I hope you are doing better. A doctor told me that reflux may irritate the esophagus enough to cause a spasm. (I have similar symptoms to yours, and was checked by a holter monitor and was fine. I know they can be scary. Mine occur more with hot drinks.) Also, there may be spasms due to esophageal sensitivity. Good luck with this! I found this online:
"Alternative Names
diffuse esophageal spasm, DES, spasm of the esophagus
Definition
Esophageal spasm is an uncoordinated contraction of the muscles of the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
What is going on in the body?
Normally, the esophagus muscles contract and relax in order, from top to bottom. This moves the food from the mouth to the stomach. In esophageal spasm, all the muscles contract in an uncoordinated pattern. This causes pain and fails to move the food along. As a result, the person may have trouble swallowing. Sometimes the condition is triggered by eating hot or cold fooRAB.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of esophageal spasm may include:
chest pain
burning or pain with swallowing
difficulty swallowing
palpitations (an abnormal sensation of the beating of the heart)
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Women are more likely than men to have esophageal spasm. The cause of the spasms is not known, though gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is felt to increase the likelihood. Someone who gets spasm after eating hot or cold food may have a hypersensitive esophagus.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
If a person's esophageal spasm is triggered by hot or cold fooRAB, he or she should avoid them. If the person has GERD, the provider will treat it with medication.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Esophageal spasm can be diagnosed by a test called manometry. In this test, which takes about 60 minutes, a special tube is inserted down the esophagus. The tube measures the muscle activity of the esophagus.
Abnormal contractions mixed with normal movement suppports the diagnosis. A person with a hypersensitive esophagus may be diagnosed by inflating a long balloon in the person's esophagus. If this causes the same symptoms, preventive methoRAB may work.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Esophageal spasm does not usually lead to more serious problems. The pain, however, can be disabling. Sometimes a person is afraid to eat and becomes malnourished or loses weight.
What are the risks to others?
Esophageal spasm is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Treatment for esophageal spasm may include:
dilation, a procedure in which instruments of increasing size are inserted through the esophagus. However, this usually only provides temporary relief.
nitrate medications, such as nitroglycerin. These medications are the same as those used for chest pain caused by heart problems.
calcium channel blockers, including nifedipine (i.d., TAdalat, Procardia) and verapamil (i.e., Calan, Covera, Ioptin, Verelan)
An individual with a hypersensitive esophagus sometimes improves with low doses of medications normally used for depression, such as imipramine (i.e., Tofranil) or trazodone (i.e., Desyrel).
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Nitrates can cause headaches and low blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers can cause nausea, constipation, and other side effects. Antidepressants can cause side effects that depend on the medication used.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
No treatment for esophageal spasm is effective for everyone. Often several approaches will be tried before one works. In many cases, the symptoms will only partially resolve.
How is the condition monitored?
The person's symptoms are usually the best guide to how well the treatment for esophageal spasm works. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Author: William M. Boggs, MD
Date Written: 04/14/00
Medical Review: Jeff Fenyves, MD
Date Written: 9/20/2006
Reviewer: Reginald Finger, MD
Date Reviewed: 10/5/2006
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request"
I hope you are doing better. A doctor told me that reflux may irritate the esophagus enough to cause a spasm. (I have similar symptoms to yours, and was checked by a holter monitor and was fine. I know they can be scary. Mine occur more with hot drinks.) Also, there may be spasms due to esophageal sensitivity. Good luck with this! I found this online:
"Alternative Names
diffuse esophageal spasm, DES, spasm of the esophagus
Definition
Esophageal spasm is an uncoordinated contraction of the muscles of the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
What is going on in the body?
Normally, the esophagus muscles contract and relax in order, from top to bottom. This moves the food from the mouth to the stomach. In esophageal spasm, all the muscles contract in an uncoordinated pattern. This causes pain and fails to move the food along. As a result, the person may have trouble swallowing. Sometimes the condition is triggered by eating hot or cold fooRAB.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of esophageal spasm may include:
chest pain
burning or pain with swallowing
difficulty swallowing
palpitations (an abnormal sensation of the beating of the heart)
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Women are more likely than men to have esophageal spasm. The cause of the spasms is not known, though gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is felt to increase the likelihood. Someone who gets spasm after eating hot or cold food may have a hypersensitive esophagus.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
If a person's esophageal spasm is triggered by hot or cold fooRAB, he or she should avoid them. If the person has GERD, the provider will treat it with medication.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Esophageal spasm can be diagnosed by a test called manometry. In this test, which takes about 60 minutes, a special tube is inserted down the esophagus. The tube measures the muscle activity of the esophagus.
Abnormal contractions mixed with normal movement suppports the diagnosis. A person with a hypersensitive esophagus may be diagnosed by inflating a long balloon in the person's esophagus. If this causes the same symptoms, preventive methoRAB may work.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Esophageal spasm does not usually lead to more serious problems. The pain, however, can be disabling. Sometimes a person is afraid to eat and becomes malnourished or loses weight.
What are the risks to others?
Esophageal spasm is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Treatment for esophageal spasm may include:
dilation, a procedure in which instruments of increasing size are inserted through the esophagus. However, this usually only provides temporary relief.
nitrate medications, such as nitroglycerin. These medications are the same as those used for chest pain caused by heart problems.
calcium channel blockers, including nifedipine (i.d., TAdalat, Procardia) and verapamil (i.e., Calan, Covera, Ioptin, Verelan)
An individual with a hypersensitive esophagus sometimes improves with low doses of medications normally used for depression, such as imipramine (i.e., Tofranil) or trazodone (i.e., Desyrel).
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Nitrates can cause headaches and low blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers can cause nausea, constipation, and other side effects. Antidepressants can cause side effects that depend on the medication used.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
No treatment for esophageal spasm is effective for everyone. Often several approaches will be tried before one works. In many cases, the symptoms will only partially resolve.
How is the condition monitored?
The person's symptoms are usually the best guide to how well the treatment for esophageal spasm works. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Author: William M. Boggs, MD
Date Written: 04/14/00
Medical Review: Jeff Fenyves, MD
Date Written: 9/20/2006
Reviewer: Reginald Finger, MD
Date Reviewed: 10/5/2006
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request"
thanks. The funny thing is, by your definition, I do not have the symtoms. I have no pain or difficulty eating. It only a brief time after eating that the quivering feeling starts. It does not hurt...just feels like, well a quivering that is usually located in a specific area from the back of my throat to my stomach....you never know where it will be.
It only usually happens after eating and I thought those 'scope/tube' tests have you fas for 6 hours before so I doubt they would notice it happening.
It only usually happens after eating and I thought those 'scope/tube' tests have you fas for 6 hours before so I doubt they would notice it happening.
J
justfinewg
Guest
I agree with you about the testing. And my symptoms are the same...no pain.
B
binkyholder
Guest
I get the quivering feel as well. I used to think it was my heart until one day I laid on the bed and really paid attention to it. Mine to are not painful, but I think it does interfere a little bit with the heart. I"ve had holter tests and all checked out good.