Oesophagus Spasms, Dysphagia, Help!

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, I've suffered before (about 4 years ago) with TMS symptoms (face pain) which I got under control to a level I was happy with using this approach, fast forward to last year and I started having pelvic symptoms which I got the all clear for after a colonoscopy and scans. Fast forward to a few months after the colonoscopy and I've started to get new symptoms; Intense oesophageal spasms and dysphagia (in the lower oesophagus, I don't really have too many issues initiating a swallow).

I'm currently waiting on results and more tests to look into the cause of my spasms, and I'm currently on a soft food diet as food gets stuck in my chest at my LOS. I've heard of different oesophageal motility issues that can cause this, as well as more severe nerve/ muscle issues like achalasia. This is a horrible waiting game where I have one foot in the 'hoping it's TMS related' group as I believe I can work through this, and one foot in the 'preparing myself for a life long physical condition' group.

I have not really seen anyone with these conditions in the TMS community, particularly problems swallowing food. I know that the spasms can be TMS, but it's the swallowing aspect which is consistent and making me believe I do have nerve and muscle damage. Sadly my original face pain from four years ago has come back, although it doesn't scare me, I know it's not permanent and it's just showing me I need to give myself some TLC. It's just a lot to deal with all at once.

Is there anyone out there who has gone through similar? Can anyone point me in the direction of any books or articles that cover this? Or even better, personal stories.

Thank you

 

Hi, @applebook

Welcome! Glad you’re here. We have a saying here about symptoms: TMS can cause ANYTHING! It’s so hard to believe that, but it’s true. But no matter what the symptoms are, they are all healed the exact same way. And that’s what you can learn on this forum—how to get better. It takes some effort. But it can be done. And lots of people have done it.

TMS is actually a form of anxiety, and so it’s also helpful to learn about how to soothe your nervous system. We recommend a book highly around here. It’s called Hope and Help for Your Nerves, by Claire Weekes. The book is a lifesaver. On pages 52-54 she talks about how your exact same symptoms with your throat are caused by a hypersensitive nervous systems. That’s a nervous system that has been stuck in high anxiety for too long. It’s totally worth reading. And even rereading this book. I’ve read it over and over for a year and it had helped me a lot.

There is a search engine at the top right corner of this page. Here’s what shows up for a search on swallowing. https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/search/9111081/?q=Swallowing&o=date&c[node]=26

Maybe you’ll find something in there to help you.

We always recommend that newcomers read a book by John Sarno. The MindBody Prescription is a good one. His principles apply to all TMS manifestations, including yours.

Wishing you all the best on your TMS healing journey! Stick around here on the forum. It helps a lot!