I was recently diagnosed with corkscrew esophagus. What do I eat?

This is very informative . I feel for you and thank you !

Thank you ever so much, Dr. Gabbard....we would love to connect with patients who have successfully made it through a myotomy....it sounds so scary especially for a senior citizen like my dear wife of 50 years, so we need to connect with anybody and everybody who can share their experience...surely there must be thousands of people who were/are faced with this health problem. Respectfully, Professor Bruce Page

I was diagnosed with presbyesophagus or hypomotility esophageal dysphagia. I take 20 mg of Amitriptyline that has helped. My internal med doctor prescribed Motegrity but I haven't really needed it.

Bee....please see my appeal below regarding my wife's corkscrew esophagus. She has been trying to cope with it now for over 3 years, and it's a terrible struggle. Please keep me posted as to your progress and what you learn. We're desperate to connect with others who are dealing with this so we can be better informed. One suggestion I have is to check out the Cleveland Clinic and a procedure called myotomy, which may be an answer for you. Blessings, dear lady, Bruce

Hi Bruce. I’ve just been diagnosed with corkscrew esophagus and am searching the internet for others with the same condition. I’m in the UK. Has your wife been able to get any kind of effective treatment? Best, Shirley

I’ll have to google that . I don’t know what that is ?
What does your GI Dr. suggest for this ?
The surgery people are talking about ?
I hate eating too w/ my 7 diagnosed chronic digestive disorders. I am hungry but no desire to actually eat ,
More vomiting lately too . I’m 11 years in . This is no way to live life .

I’ll be following this story .
God Bless

i am 29 and was recently diagnosed with this disease. it explains so much. my food gets backed up often. i had no idea this was the sensation i was dealing with. i have gone to the er before complained to my dr that it feels like my food has been stuck in my throat for hours but i was told that no no no this isnt the case, i am simply *feeling* like something is stuck in my throat. well no, i breathe around my medication daily. it has no desire to go down the ole pipe. i have no idea how to cope with this disease. i haven't found a diet that works or anything that works other than protein drinks and smoothies and its effecting every part of my life. i have no help or suggestions from my doctors and im getting fed up. but not really because it feels like i cant. eat. anything! no seroiusly what do i do if i dont want to end up on a feeding tube for the rest of my life?

A few suggestions.

First, don’t panic. I have been living (well!) with achalasia and corkscrew esophagus since my late teens. I had surgery at 22 (esophageal myotomy and Nissen fundoplication) which helped but isn’t a cure… and that was 1992. Procedures have improved greatly since then.

Find a good doctor. There is certainly help for this. If your doctor is not helping you, please find another.

I can swallow pills and tablets, but not pull apart capsules. You can also purchase “pill swallowing gels” that coats pills helping them go down.

I can eat anything, but if I’m not careful and chew thoroughly, I get into trouble. Slow down, chew VERY well, and always drink liquid when you eat.

Good luck! You can live well with this. It is certainly a challenge, but find the people that can help you.

Hi @kassisgrass, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You found a good place to plug in and find others dealing with the symptoms you describe having. A wonderful step in the right direction!

I have experienced what you describe and it was particularly scary not understanding it or when it hit me unexpectedly. @margo42 has already replied with wise and proven recommendations based on her experience with achalasia and corkscrew esophagus. I hope this helps comfort you a bit. You will no doubt learn more reading through comments since this original discussion was posted. I encourage you to take some time and learn what others have been doing.

You mention being recently diagnosed and not getting help from your doctors. If you don’t mind sharing a bit more, what was specifically diagnosed and how was it done? What doctors have been a part of this process with you?