Hi I was diagnosed with Jack Hammer Esophagus which is extremely rare disorder but it’s hard to get diagnosed unless you are referred to the right specialist. I’m from Indianapolis, Indiana and I was referred to the IU Hospital Motility Clinic for evaluation of my terrible symptoms I was having. Nausea, Vomiting, Choking, Chest Pains, Felt a lump in my throat all the time when I swallowed, Heartburn, LPR Laropharengeal Reflex Disorder,Shortness of Breath. After several choking episodes, going back and forth to the ER for chest pains thinking I was having a heart attack, they sent me to several different doctors and specialists before they found it! Started with an ENT , Swallow Study, then Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Gastroenterologist then a Motility specialist and I had 2 extensive tests first was a test where they put a probe at the back of your throat that goes up your nose and then back up your throat and the give you a monitor that you wear for 24 hours to collect data every time you had to cough, belch, vomit,heartburn, chest pains to say this was an easy test it was NOT ! The probe made me gag all night long! It was horrible to say the least and I found out it was waking me up in my sleep as well! So when I went back to specialist they downloaded all my data from the monitor and they were absolutely shocked because my Acid Reflux was so bad but also my PH level was abnormal it was extremely low they said that they had a hunch what I might have but it was extremely rare it’s something that you are born with! So they said we are going to send you for one more test to confirm the diagnosis of what we believe you have! The procedure was called a Esophageal Manometry test and it measures the pressure you have in your lower esophagus and stomach. But this time I had to have copper tubes that were much bigger than the first test I had and they make you take like 20 sips of Gatorade and then they slowly insert each tube up each nostril and go all the way down to your stomach and LES Lower Esophageal Sphincter. First try was unsuccessful because I threw up as soon as I started to drink the liquid and the tubes we’re getting stuck on something! It was a nightmare trying to get past this blockage I had that was making throw up every time but the 2nd try was successful and they were able to see in the inferred screen what was making me so sick and choking all the time! They said oh here’s your issue and the problem right here! I was so relieved that they had finally found it and it actually had a name! Jack Hammer Esophagus it’s a very rare condition where the LES Lower Esophageal Sphincter wasn’t functioning right so that caused all my food to propel quickly back up into my throat and upper esophagus causing me to choke as soon as I ate or drank! They said that my pressure in my esophagus was so powerful that I also had bad Acid Reflux Disease as well. I said well ok what can we do about it? I was told oh there’s only one fix that is surgery to reconstruct your lower esophageal sphincter and also have a surgery called a Nissen Dysplundification on my upper esophagus to get rid of the Acid Reflux Disease that medications did not help at all! So I ended up having 2 different rare disorders at the same time and 2 surgeries to fix it ! The surgery for my lower esophagus is called a Hyler Myoectomy I probably butchered that spelling! I was in surgery for 6 hours and ended up staying 10 days in the hospital to fully recover but the prep for the surgery was the worst because I could only do liquids for 4 weeks and then afterwards nothing but liquids for 4-6 weeks it was a long process but it was so much worth it! I’m almost 2 years out from my surgery and I feel great ! No nausea, vomiting, chest pains, Acid Reflux, GERD, no more shortness of breath, no more choking! I can now eat anything I want without any issues or problems! This surgery saved my life! My doctor who did my surgeries was amazing! The Nissen Dysplundification surgery consisted of the surgeon shortening my esophagus and bringing my stomach up higher and wrapped it around my esophagus to prevent acid reflux from ever happening again! It’s the only sure thing for severe acid reflux disease but it works! Now there are some disadvantages with the Nissen though! You can’t throw up or vomit anymore but if you have to belch or if you have to vomit it can make you have diarrhea and belching can cause belly pain but after the gas has been expelled then you will feel fine! Also another downfall is that chocolate will be your enemy meaning you won’t be able to digest it well and it causes diarrhea as well as break down of your Nissen from the acid content in chocolate so that totally sucks if you can handle that then the surgery will be worth it! I suffered for 3 years before I got diagnosed! Like I said with it being extremely rare disorder it was hard pinpoint the problem. I would start with a motility specialist first and go from there ! So sorry you’re going through all this! If you want my surgeons information I can give it to you as well! Good luck and stay positive and hang in there and be your own advocate!