Esophageal dysmotility
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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Try pop rocks if you feel you are choking.
Thanks. I have never heard that
When my mom had difficulty swallowing I prepared scrambled eggs, lean bacon and buttered toast and put it all in a blender . Half the toast worked better as less absorption and more moist .
I hope I am in the right place. I have dismotility had a manometer test done it came up lack of perastaltis in my esophagus this makes it hard to swallow at times. I have to sit up straight with a pillow behind my back. What helps me is sitting upright in a chair and not laying down for about an hour. I'm only allowed soft diet and liquids. I'm missing salads lol but I'm concerned I'm not getting enough vitamins. Any suggestions on how to get some in my diet?
Survivor of esophageal cancer / esophagectomy etc: 2020
Recently completed chemo & radiation after cancer found in my throats very very close to larynx. Needless to say my poor throat (interior) is burned and pretty sore. Makes it a nightmare to swallow.
I drink either Ensure or cheaper equivalent: Equate (Walmart brand). Although it could taste a bit better it's do'able. Look at all the "good stuff" in an 8 oz bottle. I drink at least 2 / day.
Good luck!!!
Lori
Sounds like dysphagia, I have it, also have esophageal cancer. You should get scans, cat, MRI pet and look into a g tube feeding tube in your stomach so you can get nutrition without irritation of your esophagus. G tube surgery is fast, removable and they are easy to use. I have one. I gravity feed formula, shakes, water... But take this situation seriously. Blessings to you.
I have esophageal dismotility with no peristaltic movement. My diet consist of soft food no fresh fruit or veggies and no bread. I have to drink with my meal and eat small bites and chew thoroughly. If I eat to fast and don't drink with my meal I feel like I'm choking. Several times I ended up in emergency and one of those times I almost died.
I completely understand, I have dysphagia and esophagus cancer. A removeable G tube feeding tube in my stomach fixed the issue. Contact a gastroenterologist and discuss it. You'll do only liquids with it but no mo choking. Have had mine since last early October and my weight is 135 and healthy
I've been doing high calorie, high protein, high hydration liquids with my G tube without much issue. If you clog it, take it out, flush and reinsert
I was put on a liquid diet after an Esophageal Dilation and I totally understand the frustration of trying to find things to eat. I found potatoes and sweet potatoes to be a good option. I just made sure they were whipped up to a light consistency with no lumps.
I added plenty of milk to regular potatoes and can also make them into a creamy soup.
With the sweet potatoes, I added a little butter and brown
sugar (of course) and made sure to "smooth out in my mouth" when eating to strain out any stringy fibers of the potato.