Esophagal spasms

UsedToBeHusky

Does anyone have this problem? Basically, what happens is that the esophagus clinches around food if it is too big. The sensation causes a tightening in the chest and mucus fills the esophagus to help ease the food down. But the clinched muscles cause the mucus to back up. The sensation is a cross between choking and drowning. The sensation causes panic and anxiety which cause the muscles in the esophagus to clinch even more.

My mother used to do this, and I thought she was crazy. Now I do it, and it is awful. And I hate it. And I get mad at myself every. single. time. for not chewing my food better.

Just curious if anyone out there has experienced this, and if anyone has some suggestions or solutions that might help. Drinking liquids generally makes that drowning sensation worse.

LAT1963

Prevention--swallow smaller mouth-fuls. Budget more time for eating so you don't have to wolf food down. Sip or swig a beverage between every bite or two in case food is sticking due to a slightly dry esophagus.

Do you have acid reflux? You might want to get checked out by a doc to rule out any actual problems with your esophagus (eg: Barrett's esophagus) that need medical monitoring. Are you taking any medications that might dry your mucous membranes so the food sticks (after which stimulus you secrete excess)? Consider also whether it's likely at your age & cholesterol/blood pressure/etc to have had a micro-stroke affecting the coordination of your esophagus (possible but not too likely), and speak to a counselor of some kind about stress management (a more likely contributor to the problem).

If you have diabetes this can also be a sign of a low-level of diabetic neuropathy affecting your esophagus--keeping blood sugar controlled reduces the risk of the problem getting worse, but won't reverse what already exists.

The most likely triggers are a combination of stress, dry mucous membranes, and big gulps of food. Address these first, but do see a doc to rule out the less likely but more serious possible causes.

UsedToBeHusky

I have PCOS but my blood sugar levels are normal. I take 2000 mg of Metformin daily. But I was having this problem before I began taking it.

I really think it's stress. I'm just not taking enough time to eat my food.

elenathegreat

My husband was experiencing this for awhile before he consulted a DOM. She felt that it was associated with his chronic heartburn and acid reflux, started him on a treatment that involved several factors including HCl capsules which improved his condition greatly. He rarely has severe episodes of esophageal spasm now.

SezxyStef

I have had a similar sensation but it's not just when I am eating food...

mine is caused by a birthmark...I know sounds funny...it's a raised area in my throat. My gram and my mom both have it...

sometimes when I just swallow...saliva I choke...and I can't catch my breath due to coughing, eyes water etc.

I used to get stressed over it too but that seemed ot make it worse...now I try to relax when it happens and ride it out.

I can't give any solutions other than try to relax and ride it out....I know easier said than done...

ps it freaks my husband out everytime it happens because he thinks I am actually choking...

UsedToBeHusky

I have had a similar sensation but it's not just when I am eating food...

mine is caused by a birthmark...I know sounds funny...it's a raised area in my throat. My gram and my mom both have it...

sometimes when I just swallow...saliva I choke...and I can't catch my breath due to coughing, eyes water etc.

I used to get stressed over it too but that seemed ot make it worse...now I try to relax when it happens and ride it out.

I can't give any solutions other than try to relax and ride it out....I know easier said than done...

ps it freaks my husband out everytime it happens because he thinks I am actually choking...

Yeah, my kids freak out too. I usually have to stand up and walk around, but that doesn't seem to help much either.

MissHolidayGolightly

I've had that, it's horrible. I thought I was having a heart attack at one point the pressure was so bad. My acid reflux had been so common to me that I didn't notice it anymore until my esophagus started spasming in the middle of the night. I guess college diet, alcohol, and stress did a number on me.

I suggest seeing your doctor to treat your acid reflux. You'll want to be on a perscription like Nexium to reduce the acid and heal the lining. Try to avoid deep fried, highly acidic, and/or spicy foods as well as alcohol and caffeine. If you can, try and reduce your stress levels, too. Exercise helps with this :-) Add: also, don't eat right before bed or lying down. This aggravates the upper digestion tract.

Don't leave it untreated because you can do some serious damage to yourself.

UsedToBeHusky

I don't have acid reflux.

MissHolidayGolightly

OK well still suggest seeing the doc.

3laine75

I had this with both pregnancies - truly horrible. I remember ruining a meal out because I was so fed up with it I was crying with anger. I have no advice, just sympathy.

dubird

I don't have acid reflux.

Actually, it's entirely possible, even if you don't notice the symptoms. It's part of why my mom kept getting bronchitis every year and was causing her issues with breathing. The fumes can travel up through your lungs without you noticing it. I know that when I've been taking my zantac consistently, my asthma doesn't bother me as much, even though I can't feel anything resembling heartburn. I'd say check with your doctor and see.

UsedToBeHusky

I don't have acid reflux.

Actually, it's entirely possible, even if you don't notice the symptoms. It's part of why my mom kept getting bronchitis every year and was causing her issues with breathing. The fumes can travel up through your lungs without you noticing it. I know that when I've been taking my zantac consistently, my asthma doesn't bother me as much, even though I can't feel anything resembling heartburn. I'd say check with your doctor and see.

I don't have breathing problems either. I rarely get sick.

I have anxiety. I am fairly certain that is the only culprit for my problem. I really just wanted to know if someone had found a way that makes the attack easier or pass faster.

MissHolidayGolightly

Anxiety and stress cause my problems too - they're not mutually exclusive. Have you discussed your anxiety with your doctor? Treating it directly would probably help. Trying to control it yourself doesn't always work.

UsedToBeHusky

Anxiety and stress cause my problems too - they're not mutually exclusive. Have you discussed your anxiety with your doctor? Treating it directly would probably help. Trying to control it yourself doesn't always work.

But I don't really have anxiety attacks outside of this. I'm usually rushing to eat because I have to be somewhere or because my cats are trying to climb in my plate or I'm driving in my car (I've learned to stop eating and driving though) and that is when this comes on. Once it starts, I panic because of the sensation. I get scared and I want it to be over desperately so I get more anxious.

Other than that, I don't have anxiety attacks. My mother had depression and anxiety. But I don't necessarily feel that the anxiety or stress that I experience is unordinary.