Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Posted by Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor @kariulrich, Dec 26, 2016

I am looking for other patients that have been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Although it is caused by compression of the celiac artery many people experience abdominal pain after eating, diarrhea, food avoidance. Usually the first doctors they see are GI doctors. It is a diagnosis that is made after everything else is ruled out. I am curious if anyone else has had surgery?

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@graceym1

I have mine on and off through out the day. Looking for dysautonomia specialist at vcu. My dr is referring me. My neurologist said it’s not her specialty. And I need to do the testing to see which one I have. Evidently there are many different types. Were you tested?

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My tilt test was normal but I had sympathetic and parasympathetic tests that were abnormal in one and then it flopped to abnormal in the other but my symptoms are the same either way so idk how accurate it is. Idk if it’s from mals squeezing the celiac plexus or if there’s something wrong w my nervous system. I’ve had so many gi tests and nerve tests. The only test I didn’t have is a small bowel manamotry

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@katiero123

My tilt test was normal but I had sympathetic and parasympathetic tests that were abnormal in one and then it flopped to abnormal in the other but my symptoms are the same either way so idk how accurate it is. Idk if it’s from mals squeezing the celiac plexus or if there’s something wrong w my nervous system. I’ve had so many gi tests and nerve tests. The only test I didn’t have is a small bowel manamotry

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Maybe. Did you have motility testing? Do you have a regular gi dr? How’s your appetite? Did you go to a special lab for dysautonomia testing?

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@katiero123

My tilt test was normal but I had sympathetic and parasympathetic tests that were abnormal in one and then it flopped to abnormal in the other but my symptoms are the same either way so idk how accurate it is. Idk if it’s from mals squeezing the celiac plexus or if there’s something wrong w my nervous system. I’ve had so many gi tests and nerve tests. The only test I didn’t have is a small bowel manamotry

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Do you take meds for heart rate or bp? I take midodrine.

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@graceym1

Maybe. Did you have motility testing? Do you have a regular gi dr? How’s your appetite? Did you go to a special lab for dysautonomia testing?

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I went to UPenn for tilt table and qsart and breathing test. (Was normal ) I had four ges , two small bowel motility and one full gut motility test. (Eat eggs and the take pics of where the eggs are ). All normal

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@graceym1

Do you take meds for heart rate or bp? I take midodrine.

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I can’t bevsyde the meds that make my heart go slower make my bp too low. What do you take ? My resting hr id always around 110 and it goes to 150 if I move around at work and after I eat

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@katiero123

I can’t bevsyde the meds that make my heart go slower make my bp too low. What do you take ? My resting hr id always around 110 and it goes to 150 if I move around at work and after I eat

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I take Midodrine. 2.5 mgs every 4 hours. Lowers my heart rate. Makes my bp higher. Not high but closer to normal. Because my bo runs low and heart rate high. I also used to take metoprolol. It lowered my heart rate. But made my bp a little too low. There’s many different kinds. I go to a cardiologist for these meds and my issues because of dysautonomia

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Thanks for the info I will have to look into those meds. I have sweats and cold sweats from the dysautonomia too

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@katiero123

Thanks for the info I will have to look into those meds. I have sweats and cold sweats from the dysautonomia too

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The sweats are the worst. That’s why people with dysautonomia don’t do well in the heat!!!!

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My sister n law had MALS surgery 1 1/2 months ago Although the pain is gone she is still unable to keep any food down, not even a little Ensure. The surgery was successful and every test has shown there are no other issues. A nurse in another dept mentioned that some patients have to see a (psychiatric/psychologist - some type of other person) to help teach their body to digest food again after this type of surgery.
Thought? I see nothing online. Has anyone had this experience?

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@robin0135
I’m sorry your sister- in- law hasn’t recovered from the surgery. You said many tests have been done and all normal.
Did they do another CT angio to check the celiac artery?
After my latest intervention the pain disappeared at once but it took time before nausea, loss of appetite and fullness feeling improved. After 2 years I still don’t have good appetite and I can’t eat the same amount of food.
I have never heard of psychological issues.
Is she losing weight? Dehydrated, weak? Does she see a gastroenterologist?
Just hoping she had another CT angio.

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