Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 , I know exactly what you mean! I'm had such harrowing episodes that I went to a cardiologist one morning thinking I'd had a cardiac arrest. Consuming mass quantities of fizzy drinks during a spasm help it subside It may be the action of the NaCO3 delivering caffeine, natures great vasodilator, to the affected muscle. Are most of your spasms five minute episodes ? The duration of a spasm for me can be 15 to 45 minutes...of excruciating pain. The myotomy did result in a decreased frequency of spasms (from one a month to 4 a year or so) Nifedine is ? M. > > At 8:45AM I felt a little queasy & wondered why. > At 8:46 I realized it was a spasm coming on & took a nifedine. > By 8:47 it dissolved under my tongue > By 8:48 the chest pain was so severe I felt my chest was being ripped > apart with such intense pain, and I was ready to collapse. It reminded > me of the balloon dilatations I used to have with no anesthesia. > By 8:49 I got up and chugged down a can of Diet Coke. > By 8:50 the pains were all gone. > Now at 8:51 I am writing this. > > Without the nifedipine and/or Diet Coke I don't know what I would have > done. > > We all must find what works for us and always keep it on or near our > person. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi , In response to your post, I'll try to answer your comments and questions. Nifedipine is a generic medication otherwise known as Procardia, a calcium beta blocker used primarily for cardiac patients to relax the smooth muscles of the heart. As a " side benefit " it also relaxes the smooth muscles of the esophagus, including the LES (which could help food go down) When placed under the tongue it acts quickly to do so. While I place it under the tongue, let it soften, then easily crack it open between my teeth, some people here report doing it by cracking it open first, then squirting it under the tongue. That was my " first line of defense, " but today the pains got so intense, and so quickly that I went for the Diet Coke. Now its interesting that you bring up the caffeine. My drink is purposely purchased without the caffeine, especially since I drink such large quantities of it. So, though caffeine might help stop the spasms, in my case it is something else doing it. We have all read that there are others who use water (at different temperatures) to decrease the pain. It is so important to discover what works for you, so that you don't have to suffer this. , you ask how long most of my episodes are. Without having something to relieve me, it could be hours. Before I knew what could help me, I used to just climb the walls and cringe in pain. With " medication " acted upon quickly, it usually goes away just as quickly. Sometimes, like today, when it went from " zero to 60 " in no time flat, if I wait around to medicate myself, it could take 15 minutes to half an hour to stop. While I'm willing to experiment with cola syrup (in my January posts); I'm not willing to be a guinea pig and see how long my spasms would last if I did nothing (which we all understand). The question on my wife's mind (and I'm sure she is not alone on this) is, how would I know if I was actually having a heart attack that it was not the esophageal spasms? I would tell her that if the Diet Coke and nifedipine didn't start working in 10 minutes, then call me an ambulance! ( " OK, you're an ambulance " ) ;-) > > > > At 8:45AM I felt a little queasy & wondered why. > > At 8:46 I realized it was a spasm coming on & took a nifedine. > > By 8:47 it dissolved under my tongue > > By 8:48 the chest pain was so severe I felt my chest was being > ripped > > apart with such intense pain, and I was ready to collapse. It > reminded > > me of the balloon dilatations I used to have with no anesthesia. > > By 8:49 I got up and chugged down a can of Diet Coke. > > By 8:50 the pains were all gone. > > Now at 8:51 I am writing this. > > > > Without the nifedipine and/or Diet Coke I don't know what I would > have > > done. > > > > We all must find what works for us and always keep it on or near > our > > person. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 -Hi , my local doctor is doing tests on me to recheck my heart. I am going to suggest the procardia to my specialist when I see him. Do you ever get those low grade aching chest pain that naggs you all day? If you do would you take the procardia for that? I had these pains day in day out for most of Dec and Jan. When I have them I have this constant reminder I can get the bad ones easily by using my arms. lifting or bending, rolling over in bed, singing whatever it may be. They have settled more at the moment, but they control everything you do or should I say can't do. Almost anything then brings on the really bad ones. The other way I could liken it is like when you have a really bad migraine and it hangs around for days making you feel bad and threatening to come back. Does anyone else have it this way? -- In achalasia , " RICHARD " <cynmark24@...> wrote: > > Hi , > > In response to your post, I'll try to answer your comments and > questions. Nifedipine is a generic medication otherwise known as > Procardia, a calcium beta blocker used primarily for cardiac patients > to relax the smooth muscles of the heart. As a " side benefit " it > also relaxes the smooth muscles of the esophagus, including the LES > (which could help food go down) When placed under the tongue it acts > quickly to do so. While I place it under the tongue, let it soften, > then easily crack it open between my teeth, some people here report > doing it by cracking it open first, then squirting it under the > tongue. > > That was my " first line of defense, " but today the pains got so > intense, and so quickly that I went for the Diet Coke. Now its > interesting that you bring up the caffeine. My drink is purposely > purchased without the caffeine, especially since I drink such large > quantities of it. So, though caffeine might help stop the spasms, in > my case it is something else doing it. We have all read that there > are others who use water (at different temperatures) to decrease the > pain. > > It is so important to discover what works for you, so that you don't > have to suffer this. > > , you ask how long most of my episodes are. Without having > something to relieve me, it could be hours. Before I knew what could > help me, I used to just climb the walls and cringe in pain. > With " medication " acted upon quickly, it usually goes away just as > quickly. Sometimes, like today, when it went from " zero to 60 " in no > time flat, if I wait around to medicate myself, it could take 15 > minutes to half an hour to stop. > > While I'm willing to experiment with cola syrup (in my January > posts); I'm not willing to be a guinea pig and see how long my spasms > would last if I did nothing (which we all understand). > > The question on my wife's mind (and I'm sure she is not alone on this) > is, how would I know if I was actually having a heart attack that it > was not the esophageal spasms? I would tell her that if the Diet > Coke and nifedipine didn't start working in 10 minutes, then call me > an ambulance! ( " OK, you're an ambulance " ) ;-) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At 8:45AM I felt a little queasy & wondered why. > > > At 8:46 I realized it was a spasm coming on & took a nifedine. > > > By 8:47 it dissolved under my tongue > > > By 8:48 the chest pain was so severe I felt my chest was being > > ripped > > > apart with such intense pain, and I was ready to collapse. It > > reminded > > > me of the balloon dilatations I used to have with no anesthesia. > > > By 8:49 I got up and chugged down a can of Diet Coke. > > > By 8:50 the pains were all gone. > > > Now at 8:51 I am writing this. > > > > > > Without the nifedipine and/or Diet Coke I don't know what I would > > have > > > done. > > > > > > We all must find what works for us and always keep it on or near > > our > > > person. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 Hi : Yes ... I am having different chest pain too. I have noticed that lying down (as flat as we dare) aggrevates it. By morning, I have slipped down to an almost flat position and i feel like I have a wide lead pipe in my chest all the way to the back, with adjoing pain throughout the entire rib cage. It lessens during the day, but is definately always there. On the positive side ... I have only had one true spasm since Feb 14, and for that I am estatic! ... but I wonder if this is replacing the spasms? I will question the doctor on March 14 and see about his opinion. I really appreciate your supportive comments. Thanks Next time you talk with Dr. Bessel tell him hello for me. How is your daughter doing? Kathie in Pittsburgh -- In achalasia , " ykosworks " <ykosworks@...> wrote: > > -Hi , > my local doctor is doing tests on me to recheck my heart. I am going to suggest the procardia to my specialist when I see him. Do you ever get those low grade aching chest pain that naggs you all day? If you do would you take the procardia for that? I had these pains day in day out for most of Dec and Jan. When I have them I have this constant reminder I can get the bad ones easily by using my arms. lifting or bending, rolling over in bed, singing whatever it may be. They have settled more at the moment, but they control everything you do or should I say can't do. Almost anything then brings on the really bad ones. > Does anyone else have it this way? > > -- In achalasia , " RICHARD " <cynmark24@> wrote: > > Hi , > > In response to your post, I'll try to answer your comments and > > questions. Nifedipine is a generic medication otherwise known as > > Procardia, a calcium beta blocker used primarily for cardiac > patients to relax the smooth muscles of the heart. As a " side benefit " it also relaxes the smooth muscles of the esophagus, including the LES (which could help food go down) When placed under the tongue it acts quickly to do so. While I place it under the tongue, let it soften, then easily crack it open between my teeth, some people here report doing it by cracking it open first, then squirting it under the tongue. > > That was my " first line of defense, " but today the pains got so intense, and so quickly that I went for the Diet Coke. Now its interesting that you bring up the caffeine. My drink is purposely purchased without the caffeine, especially since I drink such large quantities of it. So, though caffeine might help stop the spasms, in my case it is something else doing it. We have all read that there are others who use water (at different temperatures) to decrease the pain. It is so important to discover what works for you, so that you don't have to suffer this. , you ask how long most of my episodes are. Without having something to relieve me, it could be hours. Before I knew what could help me, I used to just climb the walls and cringe in pain. With " medication " acted upon quickly, it usually goes away just as quickly. Sometimes, like today, when it went from " zero to 60 " in notime flat, if I wait around to medicate myself, it could take 15 minutes to half an hour to stop. While I'm willing to experiment with cola syrup (in my January posts); I'm not willing to be a guinea pig and see how long my spasms would last if I did nothing (which we all understand). The question on my wife's mind (and I'm sure she is not alone on this) is, how would I know if I was actually having a heart attack that it was not the esophageal spasms? I would tell her that if the Diet Coke and nifedipine didn't start working in 10 minutes, then call me an ambulance! ( " OK, you're an ambulance " ) ;-) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2006 Report Share Posted February 24, 2006 -Ni Kathie, I have the same pain as you. It is not necessarily from lying flat. I usuallky can sleep any way I want now. This morning though, it did hurt lying flat or just lying so I got online to take my mind off it. I will say hello to Dr Bessell for you. I will see him on 11th April. I emailed him on how I have been going so he said to go see him. Tamara is doing much better. She still gets pains and her doctor thinks there is nothing there gynocologicaly. So I have made an appointment for her with the gastro doctor I first saw the same day I see Dr Bessell. We both may end up with and endoscopy. Back to the spasms, I do get the really bad ones too. Two weeks ago I had a real doozy. I couldn't move and was really sick and sweating. I ended up with a needle for the nausea. Once my stomach settled I could cope with the spasm much more. -- In achalasia , " zekenoahme " <kgasior2@...> wrote: > > Hi : > Yes ... I am having different chest pain too. I have noticed that > lying down (as flat as we dare) aggrevates it. By morning, I have > slipped down to an almost flat position and i feel like I have a wide > lead pipe in my chest all the way to the back, with adjoing pain > throughout the entire rib cage. > It lessens during the day, but is definately always there. > On the positive side ... I have only had one true spasm since Feb 14, > and for that I am estatic! ... but I wonder if this is replacing the > spasms? > I will question the doctor on March 14 and see about his opinion. > I really appreciate your supportive comments. Thanks > Next time you talk with Dr. Bessel tell him hello for me. > How is your daughter doing? > Kathie in Pittsburgh > -- In achalasia , " ykosworks " <ykosworks@> wrote: > > > > -Hi , > > my local doctor is doing tests on me to recheck my heart. I am > going to suggest the procardia to my specialist when I see him. Do > you ever get those low grade aching chest pain that naggs you all > day? If you do would you take the procardia for that? I had these > pains day in day out for most of Dec and Jan. When I have them I > have this constant reminder I can get the bad ones easily by using my > arms. lifting or bending, rolling over in bed, singing whatever it > may be. They have settled more at the moment, but they control > everything you do or should I say can't do. Almost anything then > brings on the really bad ones. > > Does anyone else have it this way? > > > > -- In achalasia , " RICHARD " <cynmark24@> wrote: > > > Hi , > > > In response to your post, I'll try to answer your comments and > > > questions. Nifedipine is a generic medication otherwise known as > > > Procardia, a calcium beta blocker used primarily for cardiac > > patients to relax the smooth muscles of the heart. As a " side > benefit " it also relaxes the smooth muscles of the esophagus, > including the LES (which could help food go down) When placed under > the tongue it acts quickly to do so. While I place it under the > tongue, let it soften, then easily crack it open between my teeth, > some people here report doing it by cracking it open first, then > squirting it under the tongue. > > > That was my " first line of defense, " but today the pains got so > intense, and so quickly that I went for the Diet Coke. Now its > interesting that you bring up the caffeine. My drink is purposely > purchased without the caffeine, especially since I drink such large > quantities of it. So, though caffeine might help stop the spasms, in > my case it is something else doing it. We have all read that there > are others who use water (at different temperatures) to decrease the > pain. It is so important to discover what works for you, so that you > don't have to suffer this. > , you ask how long most of my episodes are. Without having > something to relieve me, it could be hours. Before I knew what > could help me, I used to just climb the walls and cringe in pain. > With " medication " acted upon quickly, it usually goes away just as > quickly. Sometimes, like today, when it went from " zero to 60 " in > notime flat, if I wait around to medicate myself, it could take 15 > minutes to half an hour to stop. While I'm willing to experiment with > cola syrup (in my January posts); I'm not willing to be a guinea pig > and see how long my spasms would last if I did nothing (which we all > understand). The question on my wife's mind (and I'm sure she is not > alone on this) is, how would I know if I was actually having a heart > attack that it was not the esophageal spasms? I would tell her that > if the Diet Coke and nifedipine didn't start working in 10 minutes, > then call me an ambulance! ( " OK, you're an ambulance " ) ;-) > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Wrote: >Without the nifedipine and/or Diet Coke I don't know what I would have done. >We all must find what works for us and always keep it on or near our >person. Isn't it funny that when it comes to spasms, different things work for different people? For example, I have to drink ICE water. Warm or TAP water makes me nauseated... Some people are opposite and can't drink cold water... Pre-2nd Heller, I could never handle Carbonated beverages... Carbonated beverages work well for some... Motrin, Calcium, and other meds work for some, but not for others... I wonder why that is.... Anyone have any thoughts? Sharlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 <<Yvone wrote.. >I had these pains day in day out for most of Dec and Jan. When I have them I have this >constant reminder I can get the bad ones easily by using my arms. >lifting or bending, rolling over in bed, singing whatever it may be. They have settled more >at the moment, but they control everything you do or should I say can't do. Almost >>anything then brings on the really bad ones....... >Does anyone else have it this way? > Those are HORRIBLE. I had them a couple of times a week for years before I finally had my 2nd Heller done. Felt really bad most of the time. It was life altering. My life consisted of going to work, but didn't have much of a life outside of that because I felt bad most of the time. After trying several different things, my doctor finally hit on meds to control the spasms. 1) 10 mg of Procardia 3 times per day. This seemed to make the all day long ones go away. 2) NuLev - In the rare event that I did get a spasm while on the Procardia I took a NuLev. Between NuLev and Procardia, it kept the spasms under control. Just a note... I used to try to explain to my doctor that I had two types of spasms... The first kind came on really fast and intense and would eventually go away. They left me feeling week and shaky, but after a few hours I was good to go. The second kind were the all day long spasms. They were intense off and on, but in general just felt really bad all day. When I was having these I would frequently miss work, and swallowing would be more difficult. The 10mg of Procardia seemed to help these kind, and the NuLev worked well for the others. Sharlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 - Thanks Sharlene, It sounds the same. These effect everything I do some weeks. I also wonder when I have a few good days what I did different.I am going to discuss the medication with my doctor again. It seems many have tried this combination with positive effect. I need to try it. I can't handle this all the time. I wish my husband were home. I feel like I can cope with them better when he is close. As you said, life doesn't really exist outside the family commitments you must do and work. Everything I do I measure it in how much energy do I need. Thankyou for your input, it really helps. -- In achalasia , " Sharlene Rochen " <srochen@...> wrote: > > <<Yvone wrote.. > > >I had these pains day in day out for most of Dec and Jan. When I have them > I have this > >constant reminder I can get the bad ones easily by using my arms. > >lifting or bending, rolling over in bed, singing whatever it may be. They > have settled more >at the moment, but they control everything you do or > should I say can't do. Almost > >>anything then brings on the really bad ones....... > > >Does anyone else have it this way? > > > > Those are HORRIBLE. I had them a couple of times a week for years before I > finally had my 2nd Heller done. Felt really bad most of the time. It was > life altering. My life consisted of going to work, but didn't have much of > a life outside of that because I felt bad most of the time. > > After trying several different things, my doctor finally hit on meds to > control the spasms. > 1) 10 mg of Procardia 3 times per day. This seemed to make the all day > long ones go away. > 2) NuLev - In the rare event that I did get a spasm while on the Procardia > I took a NuLev. Between NuLev and Procardia, it kept the spasms under > control. > > Just a note... I used to try to explain to my doctor that I had two types > of spasms... The first kind came on really fast and intense and would > eventually go away. They left me feeling week and shaky, but after a few > hours I was good to go. > > The second kind were the all day long spasms. They were intense off and on, > but in general just felt really bad all day. When I was having these I > would frequently miss work, and swallowing would be more difficult. The > 10mg of Procardia seemed to help these kind, and the NuLev worked well for > the others. > > Sharlene > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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