[GrannyJo4]

..I deal wit M.S. and M.G. I had to have a feeding tube put in last summer (peg tube) so I would be able to get fluilds and nutrition. I slowing lost my ablility to swallow along with extreme fatigue.
I am slowing getting stronger and now I am able to eat some soft and puree foods. The water or liguid is still a problem.

After taking a can of formula about within 45 min. I started feeling my stomach tighten up, going into a sgueesing pressure pain and tight sensation and rolls up to my chest and back. Its so painful I can't more or speak loud.It lasted almost 45mins. from start to finish.

This has hapened twice to me within the past couple of weeks. The first time my Doctor sent me to ER to have my heart checked out, but they said my EKG was a little abnormal which is actually normal for me, but no sign of that pain being caused by my heart. They did give me a bottle of nitroglcern in case I got the spasm pain again. So when I did get the pain again , I tryed to relax but once it starts it just gets tighter and tighter. I asked my husband to get me one of the nitro pills and I put it in my mouth, by time it melted the spasm let go slightly and then was gone completely with in 5 mins.

The heart doctor told me that nitro works for both heart and Esophagus spasms.

My qustion is, has anyone experience this type of spasm and could it be linked with either the M.S. or M.G.?
Could it be an extreme M.S. hug?

I did have a differant type of feeding tube put in about a month ago. They took out the old bulky Peg tube and put in a small button Mic-Key feeding tube in its place. I'm also wondering if this change is trigering the spasm since I never had them before this and both times it happened after a feed.

[ANNagain]

GJ4,

I am very sorry that this is happening to you. I find it very interesting that the nitro works! Rarely do we find solutions so fast! You probably didn't think it would work either.

Good to know in case it happens to one of us. Thank you.
ANN

[4-eyes]

Any chance you could have achalasia?

[SallyC]

I had to Google it of course.....

Anchalasia is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into your stomach. Achalasia occurs when the food tube (esophagus) loses the ability to squeeze food down, and the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn't fully relax. The reason for these problems is damage to the nerves in the esophagus. There's no cure, but achalasia symptoms can usually be managed with minimally invasive (endoscopic) therapy or surgery.

I don't know if it's a side thing that happens with MS or not, but it is certainly treated as a specific Illness.

You've been through enough and I hope you feel better soon.

[KittyLady]

I have had this kind of thing happen to me quite often. The pain is almost unbearable. I too was in the ER for this type of pain, was also given nitro and it caused a massive migraine, which doc told me do to that reaction, I cant take nitro. It did nothing for the pain, but Im glad it worked for you. I do have swallowing issues, however Ive never been dx with anything specific. I use the head tilt in the down position in order to swallow without choking and this also helps me to not get that pain when I swallow. I have a horrible time swallowing liquids. I have to use a straw and the head tilt. If I forget, I will choke.

[GrannyJo4]

...I do feel a bit releived to know the nitro works, but still have a fear of the pain, when it will hit and where I will be when it does. It's a knock you down kind of pain I also got the headache afterwards but some tynenal got rid of that, Thank God.
I will check with my doctor about achalasia, I never know whats next..

[deb.1125]

Hi,
I have been dealing with esophageal spasms for about 17 years, it started with them thinking it was my gall bladder which was than removed, I was checked for reflux, which I have, and than diagnosed with the spasms which actually only happened maybe once a year until recently. Now I am in process of going through testing to be dx with MS. My doctor put me on a prescription of Hyoscyamine which is like nitro glycerine, I put under my tongue and it cuts the spasm to nearly nothing. I do not go anywhere without this prescription because the pain is debilitating and I was tired of ending up in the ER. If you suffer through these without medicine, STOP and see your doctor for prescription to help.

[new2net98]

[QUOTE]

Not much experience with this, as it has only happened a few times. Scary as hell, especially when food is involved or your own saliva.

Make sure that when it does happen, you try to sit up as straight as possible. I've found out by trial & error, that sleeping upright is the best way to make sure that you don't have a relapse while sleeping. I found a foam pillow at WalMart that is similiar to those expensive ones, that is made of memory foam. I use it all the time now. The coughing that happens after can make it alot worse.

Things that can help keep you from chocking:

ZenSoy drinks. Found in Health Food section of grocery store or in your local healthfood store. They are marketed for kids. Have a panda on the drink boxes & come with a little straw. The ones I've found are either Chocolate or Cappochino flavored. They are a little thinner than a milkshake. The soy is good for you also.

Carry bendy (sp?) straws with you. I found a bag of 30 in the dollar store. Very handy to have at work or going out for a meal.

AppleApple fruit pouches. Also marketed for kids. Come in a box of four. They are green pouches with yellow twisty caps on top. Flavors range from plain apple, apple cinnamon, apple strawberry & I believe there is an apple-berry. Very handy to take pills with.

If you can find them, individual honey packs are really good for soothing your throat, sometimes they keep that itchy, chockey feeling from starting.

Good luck & hope this helps you.

[Catch]

I'm so sorry you have experienced this. I have had spasms similar to yours, but not nearly so severe. It feels as if someone has reached in and twisted. I wish I could ease your symptoms. I take zanaflex for spasms, and it seems to help, as long as I take it every day.