Esophageal Spasms

[privatedancer7 1]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone been diadnosed with esophagus spasms.? I was recently diagnosed with it. I have had the band for 6 weeks and have lost 25 pounds. Ths spasms make it difficult for anything to go down. I have experienced this twice and was hospitalized twice.

Priavate Dancer

Banded March 21, 2008

[Tweety/Pat 1]

Yes, I have. I went yesterday for an esophageal manometry. My dr. has been very cautious. My gastro put me on Previcid and it helped alot. Maybe you should call your gastro for help. They are not fun, feels like a heart attack. Just chew your food alot more and dont rush thru your meals. Stay calm no matter what you do. I also found warm liquid such as tea, or warm Water with lemon will stop them.

[Gralda 1]

Can you tell me the symptoms? I was just banded on Tuesday and have some pain behind my breatbone, seems to come and go and doesn't seem to just happen when I ingest something. The pain is sharp.

[privatedancer7 1]

Thank you. I am having a manometry tomorrow-I am not sure how to spell it. Thanks for the advice. I really want to keep the band.

Private Dancer 7

[privatedancer7 1]

I don't have a lot of pain . I just feel like I can not get a drop of anything down-even Water. Good Luck to you!!!

Private Dancer 7

[yaya78006 1]

I too had the "first bite syndrome" spasams.

I had them bad when I started eating even mushies after 6 weeks.

My Dr. kept pointing the finger at me saying I was eating too big of bites, not chewing enough or eating too fast.

I told him that I was taking a extra small bite and couldn't eat too fast because I could only eat one bite!!!!!!!

I ended up eating an awful lot of cold foods.

When you take a bite make it small, chew it well. Take the bite and you will know if it resists. Then if it catches, set the food aside for like 5 mins, then try again. sometimes it takes a few tries.

Also, have a nice cup of warm Water with lemon or tea before you eat.

that can help settle the spasams.

whatever you do......don't put liquid on food that ever feels stuck.

That is soooooo much fun!

screaming pain followed by vomiting.

You will also sometime endure the pain of when the hole gets plugged up with food. that is the worst.

That is why you chew thoroughly then eat really slow.

no liquids on top.

Edited May 13, 2008 by yaya78006

[yaya78006 1]

You guys are just experiencing the irritation stage.

Some people do not have that stage.

It took me a loooooooong time to get over my stomach not liking the band and protesting.

Now I am having a hard time not eating too much.

Atkins drinks are a nice way to get the Protein and have a cooling effect on that "swelling"

It will get better. Mine took months and months.

[privatedancer7 1]

Thank you so much. I will try your recommendations.

[privatedancer7 1]

It's nice to know that it is just a phase. My doctor said that he has not seen spasms like this in lap band patients. I almost think that he wants to take it out if the spasms continue. By the way, he has an excellent reputation.

[yaya78006 1]

I had them for so long.

Maybe have him lessen the fill if they continue so bad you can't eat anything.