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For about 8 weeks now I've been experiencing the feeling of my throat closing up and pain in my chest. So far, it only occurs after I eat and it last anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. At first I thought it was only occuring with dairy but i've tested tht theory and it's occuring with everything I eat. Hot, cold, soft, hard, dairy, no dairy, the whole nine.

I don't eat fast so I know that's not the cause either. I saw my GP today and asked her about it and she wants me to have a swallow test at a radiologist. She mentioned something it could be & I know I've read it somewhere but can't find it now. She has an accent so I asked her to repeat it but still didn't understand.

Anyway, could this possibly be an MS symptom?

LoveActually wrote:
Anyway, could this possibly be an MS symptom?

Sorry you're dealing with this LA. The doctor may have mentioned esophageal spasms (see the Mayo info here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/esopha ... ms/DS00763 )

I get occasional spasms like that with certain foods, etc. Recently it got so bad for a month or so that I actually did research, identified it was something to do with my esophagus, even kept me awake at night, started looking up esophageal cancer...

And then duh! I remembered (and checked my charts) and saw that I had started taking fish oil capsules for that amount of time. I didn't notice the spasms immediately after I swallowed a cap, I didn't have the usual lower GI digestive problems with them...it hadn't hit me that there was a connection, but I HAD added the new symptom to my chart.

Stopped taking the capsules and suddenly the spasms were gone! I've had even worse reactions to things like flaxseed oil -- most any supplement that's supposed to be "good" for MS. I seem to be allergic to some omega 3s anyway.

There are other causes of that type of chest spasm, but it's worth a glance at those pages at Mayo. None of my dozens of symptoms are exclusive to MS, and 90% of the time I can identify another reason for them...usually from meds or supplements.

Wishing you relief!

LoveActually wrote: I saw my GP today and asked her about it and she wants me to have a swallow test at a radiologist.

P.S. Swallow test - sounds like a great idea for you to do.

Thank you Susan!

That sucks. I know.
I was eating quite a lot of pizza and beer when I first got my chest pain. It felt like at elephant sitting on my chest. The first time it happened they took my gallbladder out. That was nine years ago.The second time (5 years ago) they told me to stop eating pizza and beer. Both times I went to the ER.
Now just a couple of days ago, I ate 2 pieces of pizza and had 1 beer. Bam! I got it again. So with me it's triggered by pizza and beer. I was diagnosed with some kind of esophasomethingorother triggered by pizza and beer and stress.

No one told me that it was MS related--just pizza and beer related. Damn! Pizza and beer are my favorite too.
The only thing that helps me is saltless saltine crackers.

does it feel like you have air stuck?
I have something that sounds like you describe. It's quite uncomfortable, lasts for a few days, then doesn't act up again for awhile. i don't seem to link it to foods etc. But, I seem to get relief by standing as straight as I can, and drinking something carbonated, and getting a bunch of air out.
It stikes alot at night and wakes me. It was recommended I get a swallow test as well. but I didn't really see the point...I do have some choking problems some times, but the swallow test would have to be done right then and there. Even still what will they do about it. i chew more carefully etc. I'm on max dose of baclofen to stop spasms. It just seems like another test that will find a result, then OK what do we do about it?

msmything wrote: It just seems like another test that will find a result, then OK what do we do about it?

Well, there are actually a few serious conditions (like esophageal cancer) that do need to be treated. And I've also read plenty of suggestions in the past for easing the ones caused by neurological problems, etc.

If I hadn't figured out what caused mine, I would welcome a swallow test to rule out life-threatening conditions.

Here's good info about "swallowing problems" in general and a quote. There's a GREAT pic on that link also.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/swallowing-problems/

Individuals with dysphagia should seek a thorough examination because swallowing problems may indicate cancer of the head, neck or esophagus.

I changed my diet a week ago and it's still happening. Definitely can't blame it on beer and pizza but that sucks! At first I thought it was ice cream that was doing it so I would lay off for a while but I just couldn't resist. Till one day it lasted about 3 hours and I said, "screw it!" it wasn't worth it.

Then it started happening with cereal, which again has dairy so I've been staying away from that too. Then sandwiches. *sigh* I stopped taking my migraine medication to see if it's related to that. That's the only thing I can think of that I may have started around the time this started happening.

It doesn't really feel like air is stuck. It feels like my food is stuck or there's blockage. When I get it and I'm drinking a carbonated beverage, I'll burp and a second after I feel a bit of relief. Then it comes right back the next second. The pain in my chest is a heaviness and sometimes it's a sharp pain.

It hasn't freaked me out enough to get me to go to the hospital and hopefully it won't. I'm hoping the swallow test my doc ordered for me isn't the one that involves a tube. If it is, I'm not doing it.

I wonder if you've tried eating small amounts but more frequently of bland food at first. I don't think you should forego a workup but maybe just as a way to be able to be able to keep up nutrition until then. I don't eat meals any more, just graze, but make sure it is healthy food. My digestive system abruptly changed with the MS, slowing down. I'm no doctor but envision that there are muscles that push swallowed food down, peristalsis I think is the word, and like any other muscle in my body that can not work well due to MS the muscles of the esophagus are probably also affected. I think the "transit time" from swallowing to getting to the stomach is much longer, I feel full quicker, and it can hurt like I've swallowed a golf ball if I put too much down at one time.

One possible test they are suggesting is esophageal manometry and, yes, there is a tube involved.

Thanks for the suggestions Wendigo. I've greatly cut down the quantity in my meals after starting this diet. For example, instead of 2 eggs and 2 pieces of yummy butter soaked toast for breakfast, I'll have 1 egg white and a piece of fruit. Then a snack, lunch, snack, and dinner. I'll definitely try to cut down the portions more and do a bit of grazzing as you say. That may help.

My pickle went down without a problem. It's so wierd, I'm definitely paying more attention now and trying to figure out what the hell it is.

This sounds like something I went through. I did go to the doctor and got a GI barium test as well as some ultra-sound nonsense. They could not find anything. My doctor settled it was acid-reflux and put me on some OTC h2 blocker. Barely worked. I also was having mild panic attacks along with this - the anxiety was messing me up!

I decided to go with Apple Cider Vinegar and see if it worked. I took 2 tablespoons in 8 oz. water once or twice a day, before meals (after if a heavy meal). After a week or so, it cleared up. Now I use it occasionally as needed - this has not happened since and that was 3 years ago.

It is cheap...not too tasty but cheap. If you do it, get good quality stuff from the health food store, Braggs is my brand of choice.

Were you taking another crab drug prior to copaxone? Ever have your thyroid checked?

Miss_Feisty wrote:Were you taking another crab drug prior to copaxone? Ever have your thyroid checked?

Nope! Copaxone was the first one. And yes, I have had my thyroid checked. I've stopped taking Nortriptyline, I was taking it in low doses to control my headaches. I think that's the only thing I started around the time this issue popped up. It's been about 5 days and so far I think it's getting better. Maybe it was an allergic reaction and if it was, it would be my first.

Sounds like an allergic reaction, but to what? Do you consider an ELISA test? BTW, nice photo.

sou

heyas, my throat/oesophageal issues resolved markedly once i got my magnesium sitch sorted out. i don't remembering suffering pain though, even when it was so bad in my throat, i didn't expect to survive the year (2007 i think)!