I was recently diagnosed with corkscrew esophagus. What do I eat?

Hello @bee2023 and welcome to Mayo Connect. As I read your post, I was wondering how you were diagnosed with this condition. Did you have an upper endoscopy or some other type of test? You were asking about what types of food to eat and whether or not this is curable. Is this something that you asked your GI doctor?

If you could share some of your symptoms, there may be others on Connect who could share their experiences. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Theresa, thank you so much for your response.

I had an upper endoscopy which was done. My Doctor told me the usual diet to stay away from spicy foods, carbonated drinks and foods that give gases. But when I googled I was told I need to eat soft foods, but I need to know what foods that can help correct my condition and to have conversations with people in a similar situation. The symptoms I have are loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, terrible gastritis, chest pains, heaviness in the chest sometimes, body aches, sick feeling, dizziness and bitterness in my mouth. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything else I really need help

Teresa I forgot to mention that I've become lactose intolerant so I take lactose free milk. I live in Lusaka in Zambia

The extra information is helpful, @bee2023. Did the doctor indicate that the chest pains/heaviness in the chester are related to spasms of the esophagus?

How do you feel when you follow the eating plan of avoiding spicy foods, carbonated beverages, etc.? Do you eat several small meals a day or do you still try to eat larger meals?

Hi Teresa he did mention that yes. Well, I have had gastritis for years and yes it helps. Am yet to observe myself with this new condition, but I think it should help am on Pantoprazole Sodium 40 mg twice a day. I take the tablet on an empty stomach. But when I eat I feel like the food is stuck on my throat and it takes hours to go down. So I sleep 3 hours after eating

Hi @bee2023

Here are some discussion groups that you might find interesting. If you post about your symptoms and questions about eating, the members in this group will probably share their experiences with you.

Thank you so so much am very grateful. Stay blessed

My 80+ year old wife, Carole underwent an endoscopy 3 years ago, was diagnosed with a corkscrew esophagus and has struggled with it every day since. As others have shared here, chest pains that mimic a heart attack are a regular occurrence if she tries to swallow anything other than soup or yogurt. Her gastroenterologist 3 years ago prescribed Hyoscyamin before meals to make swallowing easier. We can't say it has helped very much at all. Seeking perhaps some new pill to do a better job we arranged to visit another gastroenterologist. Sadly, he lacked bedside manner, and summed up Carole's situation like this : " Here are the facts:
You will find no pill to resolve your corkscrew esophagus, and no medical surgery will correct the problem either, and beyond that, the hyoscyamine is probably causing you more harm than good. It likely contributes to constipation!" Gee thanks, Doc !
He offered no counsel as alternatives to cope with this problem. HUGE disappointment ! If anybody has discovered how to cope with this condition, we would so welcome hearing from you. Short of prayer, we know not what to do....and living with no improvement day after day alas, is fertile soil for despair to set in. What has YOUR doctor shared with you ? What pill have you had success with? Are you familiar with surgery to stretch the esophagus ? Any success stories? Any horror stories ? H E L P !!!

Teresa, any suggestions for us would be welcome. Be blessed today, dear soul !

Hi
Please check out the Cleveland Clinic re this disorder

How Is It Treated?

The good news: There are a few treatment options for this condition, the main one being surgery, said Dr. Gabbard. The surgery—which is known as a myotomy and can also be performed endoscopically—involves making an incision in the lining of the esophagus, said Dr. Gabbard. "It stops the spastic contractions [and] relaxes that bottom valve so patients can swallow," explained Dr. Gabbard.