I am 6 days post op, and I have been having trouble figuring out the right solution for my morning pain! It's getting to the point that I am scared to go to sleep at night!

This is what happens: it feels like a severe muscle ache at the back of my mouth/ top of my throat, plus a slight ache in my ribcage. If I do nothing, it gets progressively worse, and feels like sharp, tight muscle spasms in my throat and chest. It only happens first thing in the morning, and occasionally if I drink too quickly. laying down makes it much worse.

At first I thought it was from my BiPAP machine forcing my "breathing muscles" to work harder while i was sleeping than normal, but it happens whether I use my BiPAP or not. Then I thought maybe it was from acid, so I took extra antacids- no luck. I thought it might be anxiety- took a dose my anxiety meds before bed and upon waking, and it didn't affect the pain- just made me sleepy. The only thing that really helps is my liquid hydrocodone- I don't want to get addicted! I've been trying to take less of it, and I do great during the day, but everymorning it feels like my throat is trying to tie itself in a knot!

Has anyone else felt this? What is it, and what helped?

The best advice, call your Dr. If it doesn't feel normal, it may not be. They are the experts. I am pre-op, but have a friend on life support right now who over looked a sign. As insignificant as it appeared to her, it was a slow leak, she was a bypass patient, now she is septic with kidney failure. Not trying to scare you, but when in doubt, ask the experts. Good luck, I hope you feel better.

I did not have this, but it sounds like esophageal spasms... someone here said she sipped warm liquid to calm the spasms. Herbal tea or broth... hope it helps, if not, call your surgeon. They do go away.

Thanks so much y'all! The idea about esophageal spasms seems to fit really, really well- I'm going to ask my surgeon about it tomorrow when I see him for my one week follow- up. Y'all are awesome!