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Esophagus issues
Hello I'm not sure this is where I should ask or not but I need help understanding what all this is telling me and if anyone knows possible treatments or outcomes. I'll give a little bit of history. I've only had what I know as swallowing issues for the last 4-5 months at most. Sometimes I can't even get things to go down into my throat at all, other times I can but whatever it is just gets stuck and that's consistent. I've had chronic heartburn since 2006 ish and been taking Prilosec and or 300mg of Zantac daily since. Which neither of these mess seem to help. But they help better than anything else I've tried. I also have a condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which is a collagen disorder, and I have type 3 (hyper mobile) with mild over lapping of type 4 (vascular). I also have POTs and other autonomic dysfunction. With that being said, I was sent to GI for a consult and so far have had the pudding esophageal motility test, and the Barium swallow X-ray. They have both come back abnormal. The esophageal motility test says:
Esophageal Motility
IMPRESSION: Esophageal transit is normal for water but delayed at mid esophagus for thin and thick semisolid boluses.
FINDINGS: Esophageal transit scintigraphy performed per protocol. Graphic processed scintigraphic display reviewed in addition to the dynamic imaging.
WATER BOLUS: The water bolus passes normally into the stomach within 10 seconds.
BOLUS 1, THIN SEMISOLID: There is hang-up of the thin semisolid bolus in the mid esophagus and at the junction of the mid and lower third, with the tracer in the mid esophagus clearing after 25 seconds and the residual activity in the distal third of the esophagus clearing x 45 s.
BOLUS 2, THICK SEMISOLID: The thick semisolid bolus shows considerable retention in the mid esophagus which predominantly clears after the second dry swallow at 40 seconds.
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The Barium swallow X-ray says:
Esophagus
Moderate esophageal dysmotility is present with interrupted primary peristaltic wave, intermittent ineffective secondary peristaltic waves which are nonpropulsive. Subsequent peristaltic waves then stripped the barium bolus normally.
There is a small hiatal hernia present with free spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux noted with esophageal distention to the thoracic inlet. There is however no ulceration, stricture, or mass present. Barium pill was administered, which passed freely through the GE junction into the stomach.
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My Drs impressions says esophageal motility disorder with cervical and esophageal components.
My question is what is this all telling me. I keep looking things up but then get super confused and mixed up. I still have to go back for a upper endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, neuro speech assessment, and a video X-ray barium swallow. I can't find anything on the speech assessment. And I'm not understanding why I have to repeat the barium test? Since medicine isn't working what are some of the treatments or fixes to any of this. Can my esophagus just die? What happens if it stops working all together?
Sorry for the long message. I don't live near Mayo and have to travel to get there so I don't get a lot of time with the drs to ask these questions. They are just more concerned getting the tests done before they make sense of it to me it seems, and I am super lost and confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated
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Has anyone had the Stretta procedure and have comments to share. I am considering it due to my troublesome LPR. Would appreciate any input. Thanks!
Frank M.
Best of luck in your findings. I have the same issues with my esophagus and they say it's non MOTILITY disorder ok now how do I fix the problem. I have lost over 75 lbs in the last Three years and still loosing weight as we speak taken every drug that mankind had made and still can not hold my food down. I haven't eaten a good meal In years at times I want to give up on life. But as I said earlier good luck and if you do find that miracle doctor please let me know. Stay encouraged.
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2 ReactionsSo sorry to hear that you are as miserable as I was a few years ago…
Bloated stomach, like 8 months pregnant, an hour after every meal. No matter how tiny it was. Gastro doc did no tests except barium swallow which was ok, and told me to follow the FODMAP diet, no other info. 😱
Reached a point where swallowing sounds like your horrible issues.
I went to a local health supplement store, (not chain-but probably a chain might be able to help you,) and told them my problems after I couldn’t eat and I’d lost about 10 pounds in about 3 weeks. I was dizzy and didn’t feel really that safe driving. They recommended a
“porcine enzyme” (pig) to help with digestion. Surprised. I was desperate and took them. Amazingly, it worked!
If I remember, capsules and powder, capsules could be opened and mixed with water, etc.
Scheduled visit with Gastro and brought them with me to show him what helped. Anyway, he looked at them and said there were better things than this(?)Then he walked out…
Stunned, that was the motivation to move on.
Got an appt with new Gastro and had 4 tests within 2 weeks. And an upper endoscopy
1 week after that.
I had SIBO, (diet and expensive medication to fix;) bellybutton hernia, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, and my esophagus was tight and he stretched it when did the endoscopy. Not painful after.
I also have severe scoliosis, don’t notice it, thank the Lord, and that can also be pressing on my esophagus. I’ve had the stretching a couple times, and sort of an instant fix for swallowing.
I take famotidine, 20mg, down from 40.
It’s hard work to get things in order, and it took a couple years to really get the concept of “small meals”, after 3 meals a day, my whole life. Learned that a meal can really be just a tasty snack.
Of course, you may not have any of these things, but the porcine enzyme and the stretching helped me reach a point where I could work on the rest…
Maybe a new doctor?
Good luck!
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3 ReactionsChecking around to get best foods for my mom to eat. She has esophagus issues, hernia in chest and reflux. Will be returning to gastroenterologist soon. I try to encourage her to make good food choices, but she doesn’t really listen. I’d like to provide her the foods or beverages that will help, not hurt. She hasn’t lost any weight.
By the way, is popcorn a good option? I wouldn’t think it was a good choice, but she likes it.
I was vomiting blood from my gerd at one point. They finally put me on Dexilant. Best medicine ever! I was able to drop down to EOD. I also notice that when my mast cell activation sydrome is flaired up it sets off my bronchial spasms which causes more phlem coughing and heartburn/ gerd. Then the gerd causes more broncial spasm more phlem ect .... you get the picture... ask if you can get dexilant samples, thats what my gastro gave me. Not sure about contraindications but my doc hasnt said anything about it otherwise. Ill be praying for you;)