ineffective esophageal motility disorder and electric shock sensation

Posted by Cam @tryingtofindanswers, Jul 29, 2018

I've been dealing with swallowing issues for over a year and a half now. They began after a course of beta blockers. After two manometry tests, 3 barium swallows and two endoscopies, i've been diagnosed with ineffective esophageal motility disorder and a sliding hiatal hernia. I also have pretty bad acid reflux. I have trouble eating anything that isn't liquid now. The only solids I can eat are saltine crackers, graham crackers and shortbread cookies, basically anything that's a meltable solid. As part of this issue, i get what feels like random electric shock sensations over my chest. They are quick and usually are a result of how I'm sitting or something I've eaten that's more solid. My heart has been ruled out, so these sensations are coming from the esophagus, i assume. Has anyone experienced this sensation as part of esophageal motility issues or hiatal hernia? Also, just doing another random check-in to see if anyone has ever been successfully treated for esophageal motility disorders. I sure do miss the luxury of solid food. Curious as to what doctors at mayo are good to see about esophageal motility disorders that are not achalasia. Thanks!

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hammock117 | @hammock117 | Aug 21, 2024

In reply to @popeye123 "Thank you. I will look into a GI with experience." + (show)

GI in a medical school environment. Some are just fastest $$ from 15 min endoscope and colonoscopy. Not for anyone on this site.

lenka73 | @lenka73 | Feb 3 4:58am

Hi
I'm sorry about your issues with motility.
Unfortunately I have experienced similar. I was on a bp med which had caused issues with my eosaphagus and gut. I did alot of research and found out the villi in small intestine becomes 'flat' so can't digest food properly. I like your version better that at your gastroentorologist told you that smooth muscles was flattened or smoothed too much.
I haven't had much support and was severely ill couldn't eat or digest so I ate baby food sachets, yoghurt and hummus. This was just to keep alive as I lost so much weight due to stress and inability to eat. No one believes me about having a toxity from the bp med and thinks it anxiety despite no history of this in my past l.
I had to find my own solution and researched Amolodipine which I found has caused the issues we have discussed. So I stopped taking them it has reduced pain and inability to eat. Now I think 1 year on it has damaged my intestine/ stomach.
Endoscopy, mri , digestive study eyc show no issues.
I'm glad nothing untoward was found but this makes it harder for gp etc to believe I still have pain, some digestive issues.
Currently taking amitriptyline, it is an antidepressant but it was given to me as it helps with dulling the gut pain.
So frustrating and scary so many blood tests, scans etc etc but no evidence apart from me telling them.....