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.
---
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.
---
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
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
@jimhd very good information. Thank you. I do sip with a straw but may need to rethink that a bit. Do you get pain in your upper chest and back? My PCP tried to refer me to a speech therapist but insurance denied the referral. Maybe I will try on my own.
@bla1958
Sorry you are going through this too. Yes, the testing horrible. I was diagnosed with esophageal motility after all my testing. What seems to help is 10 mg of Buspirone I take 1 tablet in the morning and after and then 2 tablets at night. I still have bad days where I build up so much saliva that I have to keep spitting it up or gag myself to bring it up.
It’s a hit and miss so not even sure the medicine helps. I’ve heard Botox is another option as well. I may go back to my ear and throat doctor versus my (Gastro Doctor) and see if he has anything else. I can possibly help me speech. Therapist with another option too may look into that as well, I just can’t see spending the rest of my life like this is horrible.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsThank-you for your response. I can say… I knew something was wrong, but no one ever tested me before.
I also have that gagging on saliva…
I also have sinus issues and I am constantly gagging on something.
The swallowing is difficult, the feeling of being breathless is very real.
When I read about the remedies, and treatments, I just get exhausted with the thought of it all…
I feel like my vocal cords are always strained. At least I know I am not crazy. It doesn’t change it, it explains it. ❤️🩹
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions