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Suggest Treatment For Nutcracker Esophagus With Non-classic GERD And Chest Tightness

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Posted on Mon, 17 Aug 2015
Question: I have nutcracker esophagus, with non Classic gerd sx.. Chest tightness, pain and tightness thru to back, shoulders and hot flashes in my head and ears.These get worse with stress, poor diet . I take ca channel blocker and ppi. Have had ercp w sphincterotomy 3 years ago. Sx come and go but get worse when eating poorly, ie fried foods,etc. gluten free does help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (31 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Noted your history of nutcracker esophagus, GERD, IBS, Colitis; medication history, good cardiac work-up, ERCP and sphincterotomy.
History of tightness in the chest, through to back, shoulders and hot flushes in head and ears also noted.
The most probable cause of these symptoms is related to the vagus nerve stimulation as it is the nerve of GI tract and due to reflex mechanism of the body you may get the hot flushes in the head and ears.
Pain and tightness in the chest and the back are due to the nutcracker esophagus and GERD itself.

I would advise you the following:
First of all you have to get control over the stress and anxiety as these are the main instigating or enhancing factors for all your problems. This can be done with change of life-style, avoidance of all the factors that cause this (nothing is lost by loosing the factors/work/relations that cause stress and anxiety). I hope you would understand what I mean by.
Even certain medicines can be taken for nullifying stress and anxiety under Doctor's advise.

Medications: You are already under good medication.
You can have add-on medicines as per the symptoms, the signs (the Doctor finds) and reports of the investigations. These can be in the form of anxiolytic as we discussed above, motility disorders, for IBS and for colitis.
It is always better to reduce or stop certain medicines when not needed and to re-start them as soon as needed. By this means your requirement of the medicines is reduced as well as it reduces the side effects, the dependence and so on.

Good and beverages: Here again you alone can notice the foods and the beverages which suit you and which cause any of the GI problems you have. It is you who has to observe, make a note and stop all such foods and beverages.
No packaged food, no preservatives, no junk foods.


I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications or if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (2 days later)
Thank you. You have confirmed what I know that stress in my life is causing this, I am a RN consultant and travel every week. I appreciate your time and am working in fixing thus. I do have an appt on wed with my GI doctor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
You have to control stress by whichever means possible.
I would be happy to knows your GI Doctor's opinion.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Nutcracker Esophagus With Non-classic GERD And Chest Tightness

Brief Answer: As detailed. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. Noted your history of nutcracker esophagus, GERD, IBS, Colitis; medication history, good cardiac work-up, ERCP and sphincterotomy. History of tightness in the chest, through to back, shoulders and hot flushes in head and ears also noted. The most probable cause of these symptoms is related to the vagus nerve stimulation as it is the nerve of GI tract and due to reflex mechanism of the body you may get the hot flushes in the head and ears. Pain and tightness in the chest and the back are due to the nutcracker esophagus and GERD itself. I would advise you the following: First of all you have to get control over the stress and anxiety as these are the main instigating or enhancing factors for all your problems. This can be done with change of life-style, avoidance of all the factors that cause this (nothing is lost by loosing the factors/work/relations that cause stress and anxiety). I hope you would understand what I mean by. Even certain medicines can be taken for nullifying stress and anxiety under Doctor's advise. Medications: You are already under good medication. You can have add-on medicines as per the symptoms, the signs (the Doctor finds) and reports of the investigations. These can be in the form of anxiolytic as we discussed above, motility disorders, for IBS and for colitis. It is always better to reduce or stop certain medicines when not needed and to re-start them as soon as needed. By this means your requirement of the medicines is reduced as well as it reduces the side effects, the dependence and so on. Good and beverages: Here again you alone can notice the foods and the beverages which suit you and which cause any of the GI problems you have. It is you who has to observe, make a note and stop all such foods and beverages. No packaged food, no preservatives, no junk foods. I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis, and get a proper further treatment. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications or if you feel there is a gap of communication.