severe pain much worse than heartburn

May 6, 2010

I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything was

great until about a year ago.

I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly fat.

I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't because it

is much worse than heartburn.

It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it and

stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of bread and

drinking which usually stops the pain.

The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around to

my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I have

one.

I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

Many thanks in advance!!!

Jim

May 6, 2010

I had a Heller in 2007. Even before the surgery, I would get severe chest pain

in the middle of my chest, which would radiate up to my neck and to my back. It

feels like a heart attack! The only thing I can do to stop it is take Maalox

chewables and a little water. sometimes it takes 2 of them. (tums doesn't work,

only Maalox).

Assume it's related to the achalasia..very disturbing. Not sure if I actually

HAD a heart attack I would react correctly --I'd be taking Maalox!

Good luck.

>

> I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything was

great until about a year ago.

> I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly

fat.

> I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't because

it is much worse than heartburn.

> It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it and

stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of bread and

drinking which usually stops the pain.

> The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around

to my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

> Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

> I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I have

one.

> I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

> Many thanks in advance!!!

> Jim

>

May 6, 2010

Jim, the pain your describe certainly could be related to achalasia, I had

them for years, but if you haven't I would be sure and check with your Dr.

preferably a cardiologist.

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of jaharsch

Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:28 PM

achalasia

Subject: severe pain much worse than heartburn

I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything

was great until about a year ago.

I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly

fat.

I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't

because it is much worse than heartburn.

It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it

and stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of

bread and drinking which usually stops the pain.

The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around

to my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I

have one.

I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

Many thanks in advance!!!

Jim

May 7, 2010

I agree

Sandy

>

> Jim, the pain your describe certainly could be related to achalasia, I had

> them for years, but if you haven't I would be sure and check with your Dr.

> preferably a cardiologist.

>

> From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

> Of jaharsch

> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:28 PM

> achalasia

> Subject: severe pain much worse than heartburn

>

> I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything

> was great until about a year ago.

> I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly

> fat.

> I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't

> because it is much worse than heartburn.

> It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it

> and stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of

> bread and drinking which usually stops the pain.

> The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around

> to my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

> Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

> I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

> seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I

> have one.

> I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

> Many thanks in advance!!!

> Jim

>

May 7, 2010

I have experienced the exact same thing, and it is REALLY painful. The first

time I had one was before I found out I had Achalasia, and I thought I was

having a heart attack. I am 24 so that was scary! It radiated into my back

neck, and fingers. It was so bad my husband had to take me to the ER. About 6

months later, and amoung other symptoms I found out about the achalasia. Come

to find out though, they are esophageal spasms. I get them now about 2 times a

week. Ugh!!!!! The doctor prescribed me Nitroglycerin to help relax the LES

muscle. I only take those if it is prolonged for more that a few hours because

they cause me a migraine headache. What I have found that usually works for me

is heat on my chest, usually a hot water bottle, or a hot shower or bath to

relax. Also I will drink something hot like herbal tea or just plain hot water.

Then I try to lay flat in the bed to try and keep from stressing that muscle. If

all else fails sometimes a coke, or a carbonated fountain drink will help. The

main goal is to do what you can to relax your body, and that muscle. I know how

difficult these spams are, Ive never felt anything like them. Just go get

checked out by a doctor and cover all your bases, you dont want it to be

anything more serious. But maybe these tips will help, I just had to find what

worked for me, and with diligence, and some patience it seems to work. You just

got to get through them. good luck

>

> Jim, the pain your describe certainly could be related to achalasia, I had

> them for years, but if you haven't I would be sure and check with your Dr.

> preferably a cardiologist.

>

> From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

> Of jaharsch

> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:28 PM

> achalasia

> Subject: severe pain much worse than heartburn

>

> I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything

> was great until about a year ago.

> I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly

> fat.

> I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't

> because it is much worse than heartburn.

> It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it

> and stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of

> bread and drinking which usually stops the pain.

> The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around

> to my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

> Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

> I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

> seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I

> have one.

> I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

> Many thanks in advance!!!

> Jim

>

May 30, 2010

This is an old topic but I'm going to comment anyway

I have/had this exact pain. It is what I called heartburn. When hubby got

heartburn he would go " Oh dear! I'm getting heartburn again. At the next

commercial I'll look around for some Tums. "

When I got heartburn it was more like: " OMG OMG out of way!! " And I would run as

fast as I could to the fridge to down milk directly from the carton. I didn't

care who I ran over on the way there. I didn't stop to explain to anyone what

the problem was. PPIs didn't help and eventually neither did Tums.

Then I was diagnosed with achalasia and had surgery. Now I have this heartburn

about twice a month. It is milder but still painful. Milk still works fastest to

relieve the pain but it reoccurs afterward. So my surgeon has me take 20 mg of

famotidine too and that usually stops it. Sometimes I wonder if all the people

who think they have heartburn really have heartburn. Maureen in Mukilteo

>

> I had the Heller Myotomy at the Cleveland Clinic back in 2006. Everything was

great until about a year ago.

> I did put weight back on and am about 40 pounds overweight much of it belly

fat.

> I initially thought the pain was heartburn but I realize now it isn't because

it is much worse than heartburn.

> It seems like a spasm. I can feel it coming on and I will try to stall it and

stop it if I can by drinking cold water, eating ice cream, a piece of bread and

drinking which usually stops the pain.

> The pain is excruciating building up in the middle of my chest, going around

to my back and it seems to make it difficult to swallow too.

> Can anyone give me some input on this? Is this an achalsia relate symptom?

> I have read at times on this group site of people talking about spasms. This

seems like a spasm. It is very painful and takes a lot out of me whenever I have

one.

> I would appreciate any input on this. I get these at least once a week.

> Many thanks in advance!!!

> Jim

May 30, 2010

My heartburn/spasms are exactly the way you have described them! You just cannot

wait around, which is really annoying in meetings or when you're driving- i've

often had to focus on keeping really calm and steady my breathing until i can

find somewhere to get a drink ( i now carry water with me EVERYWHERE just in

case).

In the middle of the night has had its hilarious moments as well. I've

jumpedÂ up for water and had a postural drop and BANG, hit the deck!

Just more of the wonderful adventures with A.

________________________________

From: keanenutrition <maureenkeane@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sun, 30 May, 2010 2:26:54 PM

Subject: Re: severe pain much worse than heartburn

Â