Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

[Guest guest]

Yes! I had a Hellers and Dors 3 years ago. My GI wasted over a year

because he didn't know what was wrong with me and wouldn't send me to a

colleague in his office. I finally went to Cedars Sinai in LA. due to the delay,

my E became mega. I was sure that I had an air swallowing problem, but the

Cedars Dr. understood it was Achalasia. It has continued since the surgery. I

think it is air getting trapped in the mis-shapen Esophagus. Food traps

the air and I have a hard time clearing it. I have no real solution, but to

force the air out, but the food sometimes wants to come up too. Liquids can

be a much bigger problem than solid food.

...Notan...any thoughts for us?

in Santa Barbara

In a message dated 10/3/2011 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

matbjj@... writes:

Hi All,

It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to

have this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I

would have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone

else have this feeling?

Thanks,

Minh

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Yes... I get that too...n I burp all the time... Seems to help take that feeling

away!

California

Sent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

Notan,  as we all know, is our resident expert in researching most matters.

 

In terms of anecdotal evidence, yes I have also experienced the matter of air

getting trapped in the esophagus.  Clearly, it is the case that we have a mix

of food, liquid and air in the esophagus, and when we eat, there is a mixture of

the three. With the various stages of achalasia we experience, the way our food

and drink travel thru the esophagus will vary.

 

It appears that over time, we learn how to deal with the mixture of the three

(food, liquid, air), by being able to force air up or down, as well as food and

liquid. To me, in the present, it is like second nature to know how to force air

up or down (regurgitate), but more importantly to learn how to prevent this

situation in the first place.

 

It bothers me though, that when I say something about myself, it may or may not

apply to another person. All I can suggest is to " over-protect " yourself when

eating. Even if you don't think it is necessary, have a clearing drink before

starting a meal, and allow a minute or so before beginning the meal. Eat slower

than you think you have to. Drink more than you think you need to, and have

those drinks or sips more often than how you normally need to.

At the end of the meal, whether you think you need to or not, have a clearing

drink. If you are able to drink carbonation, I would recommend it. If your

esophagus cannot tolerate it, then avoid it.

 

Interestingly, over the years I have read on this board, that some achalasians

have been specifically told by their doctors unconditionally to avoid all

carbonated drinks. Other achalasians (like myself), were encouraged to do so.

 

In any event, the problem with the " air " cannot be isolated as a single issue in

the esophaugus. It is part of the whole problem for us suffering from

achalasia. 

Minh, I'm sorry that I don't have a precise answer for you. I think it comes

from experience in learing how to best deal with our problem.

 

 

 

From: julieok@... <julieok@...>

Subject: Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 3:23 AM

 

Yes! I had a Hellers and Dors 3 years ago. My GI wasted over a year

because he didn't know what was wrong with me and wouldn't send me to a

colleague in his office. I finally went to Cedars Sinai in LA. due to the delay,

my E became mega. I was sure that I had an air swallowing problem, but the

Cedars Dr. understood it was Achalasia. It has continued since the surgery. I

think it is air getting trapped in the mis-shapen Esophagus. Food traps

the air and I have a hard time clearing it. I have no real solution, but to

force the air out, but the food sometimes wants to come up too. Liquids can

be a much bigger problem than solid food.

...Notan...any thoughts for us?

in Santa Barbara

In a message dated 10/3/2011 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

matbjj@... writes:

Hi All,

It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to

have this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I

would have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone

else have this feeling?

Thanks,

Minh

[Guest guest]

's clear response pretty much well summarises my experience too. Solids,

liquids, air go in and have to come out either upward or downward, preferably

the latter. Each of us probably develops their own physiological techniques for

handling this. From reading forum posts my A is nowhere near as severe as

others. Nevertheless, for those with still a 'milder' form of A, my experience

is that it helps taking in additional air whilst sipping a drink. Kind of

slurping it down. Not too elegant when in public, but normally effective. This

helps me by building xtra pressure inside the E which, together with some hard

swallowing actions as best I can, seems to 'pop' open the sphincter at the

bottom of the E.

Pete(in UK)

>

>

> From: julieok@... <julieok@...>

> Subject: Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

> achalasia

> Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 3:23 AM

>

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> Yes! I had a Hellers and Dors 3 years ago. My GI wasted over a year

> because he didn't know what was wrong with me and wouldn't send me to a

> colleague in his office. I finally went to Cedars Sinai in LA. due to the

delay,

> my E became mega. I was sure that I had an air swallowing problem, but the

> Cedars Dr. understood it was Achalasia. It has continued since the surgery. I

> think it is air getting trapped in the mis-shapen Esophagus. Food traps

> the air and I have a hard time clearing it. I have no real solution, but to

> force the air out, but the food sometimes wants to come up too. Liquids can

> be a much bigger problem than solid food.

>

> ...Notan...any thoughts for us?

>

> in Santa Barbara

>

> In a message dated 10/3/2011 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

> matbjj@... writes:

>

> Hi All,

>

> It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to

> have this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I

> would have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone

> else have this feeling?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Minh

>

>

[Guest guest]

The only constructive advise I was given was to drink soft drink to help push

the food through. I wouldn't be able to eat anything if I didn't learn this.

from Australia

> >

> >

> > From: julieok@ <julieok@>

> > Subject: Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

> > achalasia

> > Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 3:23 AM

> >

> >

> >

> >  

> >

> >

> >

> > Yes! I had a Hellers and Dors 3 years ago. My GI wasted over a year

> > because he didn't know what was wrong with me and wouldn't send me to a

> > colleague in his office. I finally went to Cedars Sinai in LA. due to the

delay,

> > my E became mega. I was sure that I had an air swallowing problem, but the

> > Cedars Dr. understood it was Achalasia. It has continued since the surgery.

I

> > think it is air getting trapped in the mis-shapen Esophagus. Food traps

> > the air and I have a hard time clearing it. I have no real solution, but to

> > force the air out, but the food sometimes wants to come up too. Liquids can

> > be a much bigger problem than solid food.

> >

> > ...Notan...any thoughts for us?

> >

> > in Santa Barbara

> >

> > In a message dated 10/3/2011 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

> > matbjj@ writes:

> >

> > Hi All,

> >

> > It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to

> > have this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I

> > would have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone

> > else have this feeling?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Minh

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

thanks for this info. I think this is what my daughter is experiencing like mild

chest pain. I am so happy getting lots of info from all of you. This helps us a

lot. God bless all of you folks.

 

________________________________

From: RICHARD FRIEDMAN <cynmark24@...>

achalasia

Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 11:29 AM

Subject: Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

 

Notan,  as we all know, is our resident expert in researching most matters.

 

In terms of anecdotal evidence, yes I have also experienced the matter of air

getting trapped in the esophagus.  Clearly, it is the case that we have a mix

of food, liquid and air in the esophagus, and when we eat, there is a mixture of

the three. With the various stages of achalasia we experience, the way our food

and drink travel thru the esophagus will vary.

 

It appears that over time, we learn how to deal with the mixture of the three

(food, liquid, air), by being able to force air up or down, as well as food and

liquid. To me, in the present, it is like second nature to know how to force air

up or down (regurgitate), but more importantly to learn how to prevent this

situation in the first place.

 

It bothers me though, that when I say something about myself, it may or may not

apply to another person. All I can suggest is to " over-protect " yourself when

eating. Even if you don't think it is necessary, have a clearing drink before

starting a meal, and allow a minute or so before beginning the meal. Eat slower

than you think you have to. Drink more than you think you need to, and have

those drinks or sips more often than how you normally need to.

At the end of the meal, whether you think you need to or not, have a clearing

drink. If you are able to drink carbonation, I would recommend it. If your

esophagus cannot tolerate it, then avoid it.

 

Interestingly, over the years I have read on this board, that some achalasians

have been specifically told by their doctors unconditionally to avoid all

carbonated drinks. Other achalasians (like myself), were encouraged to do so.

 

In any event, the problem with the " air " cannot be isolated as a single issue in

the esophaugus. It is part of the whole problem for us suffering from

achalasia. 

Minh, I'm sorry that I don't have a precise answer for you. I think it comes

from experience in learing how to best deal with our problem.

 

 

 

From: julieok@... <julieok@...>

Subject: Re: Air Trapped in esophagus

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 3:23 AM

 

Yes! I had a Hellers and Dors 3 years ago. My GI wasted over a year

because he didn't know what was wrong with me and wouldn't send me to a

colleague in his office. I finally went to Cedars Sinai in LA. due to the delay,

my E became mega. I was sure that I had an air swallowing problem, but the

Cedars Dr. understood it was Achalasia. It has continued since the surgery. I

think it is air getting trapped in the mis-shapen Esophagus. Food traps

the air and I have a hard time clearing it. I have no real solution, but to

force the air out, but the food sometimes wants to come up too. Liquids can

be a much bigger problem than solid food.

...Notan...any thoughts for us?

in Santa Barbara

In a message dated 10/3/2011 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

matbjj@... writes:

Hi All,

It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to

have this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I

would have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone

else have this feeling?

Thanks,

Minh

[Guest guest]

Mat wrote:

>

> ... I've continued to have this feeling of air trapped in my

> esophagus especially after a drink. I would have to sort of force the

> air out by trying to belch. ...

>

Two things come to mind that may, or may not, relate to your situation.

Some people with achalasia have problems with the Upper Esophageal

Sphincter (UES) and the belch reflex. It may be that it takes more gas

pressure or stimulation to fully get a belch.

Sometimes a spasm, which you may otherwise not feel, can trap the gas

from getting to the UES. I think this is related to some of the

" squeaky " and " drain " sounds that some people get from their esophagi.

The spasms squeeze trapped air making the funny noises and releasing a

little of it slowly.

notan

[Guest guest]

I have similar feelings (3 months post HM) but never get to painful level like

before. Drinking water sometimes helps. I haven't figured it out yet. 's

description was helpful-- thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

I can only speak for myself but I find it very difficult to know what is going

on inside my esophagus. What feels like one thing is often another.

Having a large esophagus makes it hard for air to get trapped. You should be

able to get food down your esophagus by taking small bites, chewing the food

well, and then washing solids down with liquids. I know when food has entered my

stomach when I burp. No burp and I know the food is still in my esophagus and I

have to wash it down with more liquids.

Your feeling of having air trapped in your esophagus might be the sensation of

having air trapped in your stomach and needing to burp. Have you been able to

burp since your surgery? Sometimes a tight wrap will make burping difficult.

Mat T <matbjj@...> wrote:

> Hi All,

> It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to have

this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink.  I would

have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch.  Does anyone else have

this feeling?

>  

> Thanks,

>  

> Minh

[Guest guest]

I think it is particularly hard for us to figure out what is going on inside our

bodies because of the nerve damage. It would help a lot if our chests were

transparent.

My thinking was that if you can readily burp when enough gas builds up, then the

air is not trapped. It is only trapped if you can't burp. It's normal for some

air to get into the esophagus and for it to be released as a burp with some

people getting more air into their esophagus than others and some diets being

more prone to releasing gas after swallowing. I can't cite any research but it

would take a large bolus of food to block a mega esophagus and prevent gas from

being released as a burp.

I seems to have a swallow-burp reflex going now . Even with a dry swallow I

burp.

>

> > Hi All,

> > It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to have

this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink. I would

have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch. Does anyone else have this

feeling?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Minh

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Minh,

I get this too. However for me, it can happen when I have not eaten anything

at all. I have tried to find a connection to stress levels and I think I have.

Whenever I am under a ton of stress, the air fills up. i can eat and drink and

everything goes down but the air sticks around and makes me aware that

" something " is in my E. Then when my life calms down and I relax, the air

feeling goes away.

I was nervous that maybe it was a silent acid reflux thing. But then I read

Notan's comment about it being from spasms. I believe that i don't get spasms

anymore but maybe I am just not feeling them the way i used to because all my

nerves have degenerated. This would make sense because spams occur during

stressful situations. So maybe I am still having spasms, just not feeling them!

Who knows, all I can say is that I am experiencing this too and I can't seem to

belch it up. I just " deal " cause its really not so bad....

Cara

>

> Hi All,

>  

> It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to have

this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink.  I would

have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch.  Does anyone else have

this feeling?

>  

> Thanks,

>  

> Minh

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yep me too Minh. I have air trapped all the time. I try to burp carefully...if

I force it too much I get food or liquid coming up too. I find if I bend over,

doesn't take much bending (like an upside down L) I will burp big time. I'm

careful not to bend over, or lean over when I'm around people because I'm afraid

of the sounds that will follow! So embarrassing! I do have a lot of spasms

and find if the air stays trapped I can feel it bouncing around....like air

bubbles riding the spasms. Once the air gets released the spasms don't feel as

bad.

Don't know what this all means either. Maybe Nolan will add his wisdom.

>

> Hi All,

>  

> It's been 10 months since my Heller/w Dor at UCLA and I've continued to have

this feeling of air trapped in my esophagus especially after a drink.  I would

have to sort of force the air out by trying to belch.  Does anyone else have

this feeling?

>  

> Thanks,

>  

> Minh

>

>