Nutcracker Esophagus/spasms

[Mekeld 0]

Anyone get a sleeve that has existing Nutcracker Esophagus? Mine is not caused by reflux but I fear the operation would cause reflux and trigger more spasms. I have spasms that last about 6 hours at a time and feel like a heart attack. Would a bypass be a better option even though my BMI is only 38?

[LindsayT 551]

Anyone get a sleeve that has existing Nutcracker Esophagus? Mine is not caused by reflux but I fear the operation would cause reflux and trigger more spasms. I have spasms that last about 6 hours at a time and feel like a heart attack. Would a bypass be a better option even though my BMI is only 38?

Honestly, only you and your doctor can answer that question. Have you raised your concerns with him/her?

[Mekeld 0]

Yes, unfortunately he had never heard of it so he said it was my choice. It is very rare so I thought I would see if anyone else had experience one way or another

[Arabesque 6,444]

I looked it up & it seems the cause is usually reflux/gerd so in my thinking that would rule out a sleeve. Personally I think your surgeon saying I don’t know what it is & you decide on your surgery is a cop out on their part. Go back to the doctor who diagnosed you & ask about the cause of yours to be sure & ask what the impact of the surgery may be if the cause isn’t gerd. And maybe ask them to send information to your surgeon. But also put it back in the surgeon. They’re supposed to be the expert on bariatric surgery & who are the best & worst candidates for each surgery.

[Dogmom68 135]

On 06/02/2023 at 01:53, Mekeld said:

Anyone get a sleeve that has existing Nutcracker Esophagus? Mine is not caused by reflux but I fear the operation would cause reflux and trigger more spasms. I have spasms that last about 6 hours at a time and feel like a heart attack. Would a bypass be a better option even though my BMI is only 38?

I would avoid gastric sleeve simply because post operative GERD is very common afterward. I had never had any type of reflux until after my sleeve. I eventually had a revision from sleeve to bypass and it helped. I wanted to ask you about esophageal spasms and nutcracker esophagus. I’m in the process of having a diagnosis determined for the pain I have when I eat anything with any kind of texture or “substance” to it. This has been going on for about 9 months (following my sleeve to bypass revision.) I also have esophageal spasms that hurt so bad I feel like I’m going to pass out. Does any of this sound familiar to you and how long did it take for you to be diagnosed? Are you taking any medications that help? Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Mekeld 0]

I’m sorry you are going through this. Yes the spasms are incredibly painful and are often mistaken for a heart attack although they last for hours. Mine is not caused by reflux and my EGDs all come back clear with no GERD but that is rare. Most nutcracker is triggered by that. It is diagnosed usually with an EGD when they measure the pressure of the restriction. As for treatment, everyone responds a little differently. They treat any acid reflux and try dietary changes, medications such as nitroglycerin sometimes help. One surgeon told me his patients take mint oil or mint tea at the onset of an attack and it really helps. There is a surgery called a POEM surgery that can help. Also, some get Botox injections in their esophagus. It works but overtime can give scar tissue which causes other problems. Discuss the best option for you with your dr. I was diagnosed after a few attacks, I went into the ER and they thought it was a heart attack but wasn’t. Then tested for gallbladder, then spleen, then for pancreatitis. After all was ruled out a Dr tested for nutcracker. I hope you get some relief soon. Hang in there