Esophageal spasm

[lisah25 3]

So, who knew that these can have the same symptoms as a heart attack, right down to responding to nitroglycerne? And that doctors and nurses and your mother will yell at you for having your husband drive you to the ER instead of calling 911?

I learned that Sunday morning. Had chest pain that woke me up about 5:30 AM. Pain, pressure, nausea, clammy feeling, back pain and jaw pain. Realized quickly that something was going on that I should get checked. Went to the ER(see above). People move very fast there at the words "chest pain". I found myself hooked up to monitors and having blood drawn very quickly. The tests were coming back showing my heart was OK, except for an irregular heartbeat I'd found out about a few months ago. They had me drink a mixture of antacid and lidocaine, to numb my gastric system to try and isolate the pain. Didn't do much, but a shot of nitro did. So, they decided I needed to do a stress test, which thank God came back clear, my heart is just fine. So, we figure it was a spasm, esp. since I knew I was a little to tight.

Not a fun thing to go through, but I'm fine now. I promised the ER people and my mom that if it happens again, I will call 911 and not just shrug it off as a spasm, they said it needs to be checked.

I'm wondering how all has had one of these, and what the changes are of a repeat?

[Elisabethsew 50]

I work in a hospital and you are correct, the signs and symptoms of an esophageal spasm mimic those of a heart attack. All patients who have these esophageal attacks are referred to a GI specialist to rule out a GI cause. I would advise you to follow-up with one as well and hope you're feeling better now.

[Kando 0]

I also had what I thought was a heart attack three weeks ago. Went to the hospital and they did a complete heart work up. All was well. It was an esophageal spasm. I too had been too tight and had just gotten an unfill the day before it happened. It was frightening. The heart doctor said that it was a side effect of the band.

I have had no repeat.

[suebaby 0]

Being too tight causes a spasm??? How long do these spasms last??

[lisah25 3]

Being too tight causes a spasm??? How long do these spasms last??

They weren't totally sure, but think that the tight band at least contributed. DH has been to tight also, never had one.

Mine lasted about 3 hours. From waking me up at 5:30 to about 8:30 when they did the nitro. I don't know how long it would have been on it's own.

[Alexandra 55]

Wow, that sounds so scary! You obviously did the right thing by going to the ER. Yowza!