Esophageal spasm

@cheryl46 I find sipping water helps with esophageal spasms. I always keep water by my bedside too for night time spasms.

I recently had a endoscopy, with a 48hr bravo ph monitoring test completed a few weeks ago,
the results showed a I have a sliding esophageal hiatal herina with non acid reflux, I have been taking 20mg of Famotidine 1x a day for approximately almost a year, with tums, rolaids when needed to calm the heartburn with seems to help, due to the fact that I was having heartburn pretty much everyday before I started the Famotidine.
My question is,
I've been having esophageal spasms pretty much every day throughout the day since the endoscopy, along with chest pain, heaviness in my chest, shortness of breath, which is creating alot of anxiety, which I'm sure isn't helping the spasms.
When I have the spasms, I don't feel acid coming back into my esophagus, but I do have shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, it feels like something caught in my throat.
Also on two separate occasions
I couldn't swallow or breath for what seemed like a few seconds or so, once I drank some warm water, that seem to relaxe my throat enough to swallow and catch my breath again.
My question has anyone else experienced the same non acid esophageal spasms with shortness of breath, if so is there a medication maybe you take that helps without a ton of crazy side effects that will calm the spasms down?
Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Before I had the myotomy and Nissen my gastroenterologist suggested Botox injections and calcium channel blockers to help with esophageal dysmobility. Nortryptiline is supposed to help and peppermint oil, but both cause other g.i. issues for me.

I had a nissen procedure which they wrapped too tight. Given botox in my esophagus which worked well the first time but not the second. Finding it hard to swallow without drinking after every bite. Doctors don't seem to care when they screw up an operation.

I recently had a endoscopy, with a 48hr bravo ph monitoring test completed a few weeks ago,
the results showed a I have a sliding esophageal hiatal herina with non acid reflux, I have been taking 20mg of Famotidine 1x a day for approximately almost a year, with tums, rolaids when needed to calm the heartburn with seems to help, due to the fact that I was having heartburn pretty much everyday before I started the Famotidine.
My question is,
I've been having esophageal spasms pretty much every day throughout the day since the endoscopy, along with chest pain, heaviness in my chest, shortness of breath, which is creating alot of anxiety, which I'm sure isn't helping the spasms.
When I have the spasms, I don't feel acid coming back into my esophagus, but I do have shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, it feels like something caught in my throat.
Also on two separate occasions
I couldn't swallow or breath for what seemed like a few seconds or so, once I drank some warm water, that seem to relaxe my throat enough to swallow and catch my breath again.
My question has anyone else experienced the same non acid esophageal spasms with shortness of breath, if so is there a medication maybe you take that helps without a ton of crazy side effects that will calm the spasms down?
Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I recently had a endoscopy, with a 48hr bravo ph monitoring test completed a few weeks ago,
the results showed a I have a sliding esophageal hiatal herina with non acid reflux, I have been taking 20mg of Famotidine 1x a day for approximately almost a year, with tums, rolaids when needed to calm the heartburn with seems to help, due to the fact that I was having heartburn pretty much everyday before I started the Famotidine.
My question is,
I've been having esophageal spasms pretty much every day throughout the day since the endoscopy, along with chest pain, heaviness in my chest, shortness of breath, which is creating alot of anxiety, which I'm sure isn't helping the spasms.
When I have the spasms, I don't feel acid coming back into my esophagus, but I do have shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, it feels like something caught in my throat.
Also on two separate occasions
I couldn't swallow or breath for what seemed like a few seconds or so, once I drank some warm water, that seem to relaxe my throat enough to swallow and catch my breath again.
My question has anyone else experienced the same non acid esophageal spasms with shortness of breath, if so is there a medication maybe you take that helps without a ton of crazy side effects that will calm the spasms down?
Thank you for taking the time to respond.

You needed further testing. You may have a swallowing disorder. I had the same symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with achalasia and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Hello @deespoohbear,

I see this is your first post on Connect, welcome! You seem to have some experience with swallowing disorders. I'm always interested in learning about this, as I have also had a swallowing disorder; however, mine was caused by a paralyzed vocal cord. Fortunately, I was able to have surgery on the paralyzed cord, so that it closes up with the other vocal cord, and the swallowing problem has lessened. I often find it helpful if I hold my breath when I swallow.

Please share, as you are comfortable doing so, a little about your journey with this issue. For example, how long have you had a swallowing problem? Did it take a long time to get the correct diagnosis? Have there been any treatments (like speech therapy) that were helpful?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

I have achalasia and eosinophilic esophagitis. Took 3 years to be diagnosed with the achalasia. I had increased difficulty swallowing for several years. Finally was able to see a GI specialist who ordered a manometry. I had a POEM surgery in 2022 which helped for a bit. Then I sought a second opinion at another institution and was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. It is an uphill battle every day!

Hello @deespoohbear,

I see this is your first post on Connect, welcome! You seem to have some experience with swallowing disorders. I'm always interested in learning about this, as I have also had a swallowing disorder; however, mine was caused by a paralyzed vocal cord. Fortunately, I was able to have surgery on the paralyzed cord, so that it closes up with the other vocal cord, and the swallowing problem has lessened. I often find it helpful if I hold my breath when I swallow.

Please share, as you are comfortable doing so, a little about your journey with this issue. For example, how long have you had a swallowing problem? Did it take a long time to get the correct diagnosis? Have there been any treatments (like speech therapy) that were helpful?

I look forward to hearing from you again.