Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Posted by Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor @kariulrich, Dec 26, 2016

I am looking for other patients that have been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Although it is caused by compression of the celiac artery many people experience abdominal pain after eating, diarrhea, food avoidance. Usually the first doctors they see are GI doctors. It is a diagnosis that is made after everything else is ruled out. I am curious if anyone else has had surgery?

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@graceym1

I have mine on and off through out the day. Looking for dysautonomia specialist at vcu. My dr is referring me. My neurologist said it’s not her specialty. And I need to do the testing to see which one I have. Evidently there are many different types. Were you tested?

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My tilt test was normal but I had sympathetic and parasympathetic tests that were abnormal in one and then it flopped to abnormal in the other but my symptoms are the same either way so idk how accurate it is. Idk if it’s from mals squeezing the celiac plexus or if there’s something wrong w my nervous system. I’ve had so many gi tests and nerve tests. The only test I didn’t have is a small bowel manamotry

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@katiero123

I have fatigue and get dizzy when I stand up and after I eat.

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I have mine on and off through out the day. Looking for dysautonomia specialist at vcu. My dr is referring me. My neurologist said it’s not her specialty. And I need to do the testing to see which one I have. Evidently there are many different types. Were you tested?

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@graceym1

I did not have surgery yet. The celiac plexus block didn’t help. So my dr uses that as a gauge for open surgery. I go back again in six months to see if the block works. I think most of my chest pain is from dysautonomia. Are you fatigued all the time? Do you get dizzy spells?

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I have fatigue and get dizzy when I stand up and after I eat.

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@katiero123

I do have dysautonomia. Did you get mals surgery ? I don’t remember if you told me.

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I did not have surgery yet. The celiac plexus block didn’t help. So my dr uses that as a gauge for open surgery. I go back again in six months to see if the block works. I think most of my chest pain is from dysautonomia. Are you fatigued all the time? Do you get dizzy spells?

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@graceym1

Yes that’s typical for Mals. However you can have pain in chest as well. Have you been diagnosed with dysautonomia? My surgeon said the majority of her Mals patients have this as well. It affects your bp heart rate etc.

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I do have dysautonomia. Did you get mals surgery ? I don’t remember if you told me.

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@katiero123

I had an esophagus test that shows the motility is ineffective but I don’t have chest pain or pain with swallowing. Sometimes I cough on food though. It’s easier for me swallow solid than liquids.
The pain is upper mid abdomen which I think is mals but not sure. All other gi tests normal.

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Yes that’s typical for Mals. However you can have pain in chest as well. Have you been diagnosed with dysautonomia? My surgeon said the majority of her Mals patients have this as well. It affects your bp heart rate etc.

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Does anyone have experience with Dr. Skelly ?

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@graceym1

Have you gotten testing done from a gi doctor? I’ve had many. The very last one was a monometry test. They found that the muscles in my esophagus are ineffective. Not working properly. Lots of pain and on soft diet. Have had several trials of meds to relax the muscles. None successful yet. I also have dysautonomia with the Mals. Gotta take life one hour at a time. Advocate for myself and be grateful for the good days. I would try my gi doctor. Good luck!hope you feel better real soon and get some answers.

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I had an esophagus test that shows the motility is ineffective but I don’t have chest pain or pain with swallowing. Sometimes I cough on food though. It’s easier for me swallow solid than liquids.
The pain is upper mid abdomen which I think is mals but not sure. All other gi tests normal.

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@katiero123

Yes it helped for a day and then didn’t. My lower pains I used to get from ibs. Now after I eat I get gnawing and bad pain in my upper mid abdomen. The only positive test is mals.

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Have you gotten testing done from a gi doctor? I’ve had many. The very last one was a monometry test. They found that the muscles in my esophagus are ineffective. Not working properly. Lots of pain and on soft diet. Have had several trials of meds to relax the muscles. None successful yet. I also have dysautonomia with the Mals. Gotta take life one hour at a time. Advocate for myself and be grateful for the good days. I would try my gi doctor. Good luck!hope you feel better real soon and get some answers.

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@graceym1

I have lower abdominal pain after eating. Feels like I’m going to burst. Also burning in chest! Hate it. Have you had celiac plexus block yet?

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Yes it helped for a day and then didn’t. My lower pains I used to get from ibs. Now after I eat I get gnawing and bad pain in my upper mid abdomen. The only positive test is mals.

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