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  • Strange symptoms - does this sound right to anyone?

    Hi All,
    This is kind of long but I could really use some input.
    I'm 40 yo female w/T curve in high 40's and L curve in mid 50's. No surgery as of yet. Last fall I had several strange, non-specific symptoms as follows: Difficulty clearing food from my esophagus, feelings of tightness in my chest - especially around eating, sharp chest pains (esophageal), burping after meals. Had a whole battery of blood, cardiac and GI tests and all came back normal. Those symptoms slowly resolved themselves. Then I soon developed slight dizziness plus tingling and weakness in all 4 extremities that even travelled to my face and scalp at times. Neurologist ordered more tests to rule out various neurological and/or muscular disorders. Again, all normal. His diagnosis was muscle spasms which he said got worse due to anxiety (I was convinced I had MS.) and prescribed xanax to relax the muscle spasms and calm me down. As soon as the symptoms went away. I stopped the xanax and was symptom free for 2 mos. This past week I've had a sudden onset of the same GI stuff (burping, sour stomache) and also a slight reappearance of the weakness as well. I also had a few days of severe malaise which has passed but the GI stuff remains. Of course the spasms seem worse in my neck and mid-back too.

    Does this make sense to anyone? Has anyone heard of these symptoms being related to scoliosis and /or mus. spasms?

    I can understand the tingling but the GI stuff occuring at the same time is such an mystery. I don't want to have anymore tests right now. I've had so many and I get the impression the docs all kind of think I'm a bit wacky.

    Any feedback would be great. Thanks, Nora

  • #2
    swallowing problems

    I am interested in the similarity of part of your your problems to one I have experienced for about eight years. I developed an infrequent problem with swallowing. Sometimes I just could not
    swallow , expecially if the food was at
    all dry. For instance I tried to eat some dry tuna from the can and I could not swallow it. Other times I woild be at the dinner table and suddenly I couldn't swallow, the food would be stuck somewhere in my esophogus (sp) My
    curves are 75 and 80. I had not wondered about a curve connection until
    now that you have mentioned it. I have not experienced the burping problem .
    Kathleen

    Comment


    • #3
      Kathleen,
      I'm curious to see if anyone else has had swallowing problems, too. I can't imagine with a large thoracic curve how the esophagus *wouldn't* be affected in some way. Thinks are packed fairly snug in there. I'm curious to know if muscle spasms could affect swallowing. I know that massage helps alleviate the other symptoms I was having (ie, the tingling and numbness) but I'm not sure if they are linked at all. As an aside, I think the burping is from taking in so much air in an effort to get the food down w/excessive swallows....such a ladylike discussion! Nora

      Comment


      • #4
        this isn't a ladylike discussion but it's interesting! i noticed that after my surgery i started to have the same experiences as kathleen...it's like i've forgotten how to swallow sometimes! i also have terrible heartburn that sometimes hits mid-meal; i never had problems like the swallowing or frequent indigestion before. i have assumed that these things will settle down once my innards are used to their new locations...it seems like everthing kind of moved around inside after the surgery; i know i look different on the outside. i am going for my annual checkup with my gp in a few weeks; i'll check with her and see if she thinks my fosamax has turned on me...i suppose that's a possibility...
        Sue


        Milwaukee Brace from ages 8 - 16
        T36 degrees/L56 degrees Pre-Op
        Fused T3 - S1
        Surgery done Sept. 15, 2004
        Dr. Robert G. Viere
        North Texas Spine Care @ Baylor

        Comment


        • #5
          I had that problem from Fosamax. I had to stop taking it. Actually my bone density improved after surgery (2 years) since my breathing has improved and I am able to exercise more. Your pharmacist can give you more info about side effects from Fosamax.

          Before my surgery my chest was so crunched that my stomach was laying on its side and I felt like I could not breathe after a full meal. I also had bad reflux. That is all gone now.
          Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
          Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

          Comment


          • #6
            I've got questions for both Sue and Karen.
            Sue, did you have any of these problems before surgery. My curves have not been corrected surgically (yet?). Also, how old are you and how did your surgery go?

            Karen, how large was your curve before the most recent surgery?

            Interesting how swallowing problems are creeping out of the woodwork. I'm not surprised about any potential linkage but I wouldn't guess that a T curve of 46ish would do it. Maybe so.

            I'm so grateful for the feedback. Thanks again.
            Nora

            Comment


            • #7
              hi, nora! i did not have these swallowing/digestion issues before the surgery; i've taken fosomax for at least 2 years with no problems, but i'm going to discontinue taking it and see if things improve. this surgery affects every system your body has; it wouldn't surprise me if my swallowing/digestion issues are just part of the recovery process. i couldn't feel luckier about my surgery. although my hospital stay was much longer than i'd hoped it would be, i didn't have a single set back in recovery. i noticed the second day after surgery that the pain i had experienced in my back and left leg was gone; imagine that! i am nearly weaned from my brace and i'm looking forward to starting physical therapy next month...i will be 50 soon and i feel like a million bucks compared to the past 20 years.
              Sue


              Milwaukee Brace from ages 8 - 16
              T36 degrees/L56 degrees Pre-Op
              Fused T3 - S1
              Surgery done Sept. 15, 2004
              Dr. Robert G. Viere
              North Texas Spine Care @ Baylor

              Comment


              • #8
                Digestive problems

                I've been reading posts for several months but this is my 1st post reply. I've had digestive problems that I theorized were related to my kyphosis and scoiliosis, but have not yet discussed this problem with an ortho surgeon.

                I am 59, curvatures started at age 13, never treated. Kyphosis now is 89 degrees, apex around T4 or 5; don't know degrees of scolio curves but they are upper right apex at T10 and lumbar left apex at L3.

                Began having heartburn in the middle of the night about 6 years ago.

                In summer 2002, I began experiencing horrible pains in the "bra band" region (which I guess is around T5 - T6) that were triggered when I ate something dry. The episodes kept getting worse. GP said "esophogeal (sp) spasm" and referred me to GI specialist, who did endoscopy; I had some small areas in the esophagus that were eroded by stomach acid but I took prescribed meds and changed diet somewhat, which seemed to help for a while.

                Spasms started again maybe 6 - 8 months ago. In addition, heartburn / acid reflux wakes me up 1 - 2 hours after I go to bed if I have eaten almost anything within 4 hours before I go to bed. Since I first began to investigate options re spinal deformities about 1.5 years ago, I wondered if the acid reflux was somehow related.

                Just learned several days ago that I have had a hiatal hernia since 1993; it is now described as "large." None of my doctors ever mentioned the hernia to me, nor did any of them ever mention the kyphosis and scoliosis, although all these problems are well-documented on radiologists' reports on chest x-rays that were done for unrelated reasons!!! Only reason I learned about the hernia is I am now changing my primary care MD and obtained copies of many of my med records since 1983. I was reading them to document my loss of height, and was floored to see the radiologists' comments.

                (Hiatal hernia is when top of stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, so stomach acid is able to back up really easily into the throat.)

                Finally adding 2 + 2, I suspect that the severe kyphosis (which has gotten much worse in the last few years) has squished the stomach such that the top has been pushed through the diaphragm.

                I have 1st visit with new primary care physician tomorrow. I will make appointment with one of the surgeons at UCSF (thanks, Linda Racine, for the suggestions) to evaluate my back. I now wonder if having the hernia repaired is a higher priority than the instrumentation.

                Please forgive my rambling but I hope that this addresses some of the questions about stomach problems; please look into where all of your stomach is located.

                Any comments regarding several different primary care physicians not telling me about the hernia? or even commenting on the spinal deformities?

                Many thanks for this great website
                Janet
                As of 12/25/07, age 62, 100* thoracic kyphosis, 73* L1-S1 lordosis, 37*/25* compensatory S-curve scoliosis. On 12/26/07, Dr. Boachie @ HSS NYC did 11 hours ant. & post. procedures, fused T2-L2, kyphosis now 57*, scoli 10*. Regained 2 1/4 inches in height!! Improving every day.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Just as a matter of interest, I too have some similar problems. I have Lumbar 60 deg curve and Thorassic 50+ and am currently awaiting a surgery date.

                  I get woken in the night with heartburn very regularly - sometimes to the extent that no over the counter drug will relieve it. My doctor is currently trying different drugs etc to reduce stomach acid to see if it will help (so far it hasn't). It's often relieved to some extent by propping myself up in bed, particularly if I lean the opposite way to my 'natural' rotation.

                  What caught my eye about this thread was the swallowing problem - I simply hadn't related the two, but I have problems with things like toast. They seem to go down 6" then get stuck - it can be quite painful! The heartburn and swallowing have come on over the last 2 years getting worse especially over the last 6-12 months. I am hoping that surgery is going to help with this as well as the curve and pain in my back.

                  It is a help though to know that I'm not the only person in the world with the same symptoms!
                  Double 63(T)/75(L) deg curve with big sideways shift - Surgery in UK on 8th February 2006.
                  Post op 30(T)/33(L)
                  http://warpedwoman.blogspot.com/

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Reflux, etc.

                    I am curious if anyone on this forum has been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, and if so, what, if anything, was done about it. The Mayo Clinic site mentions that frequent stomach acid in the esophagus due to hiatal hernia can have serious consequences in the long-term.
                    .........
                    Pips,

                    Has anyone actually diagnosed you with a hiatal hernia or any other condition where your stomach has been pushed out of shape?
                    ..........
                    Had 1st visit with new PCP yesterday; I will be getting new chest x-rays and an MRI as soon as I can schedule them. Should be interesting to see what has changed since the last x-rays taken in August 2003. I have to have a referral and a recent MRI in order to just make an appointment with the Orthos as UCSF.

                    This doctor felt quite strongly that I could arrest and even reverse some of the damage by building up my muscles and tendons so they can support me better. I must admit I am a little skeptical, but as I do not plan to have surgery, if at all, until a year from now, there is no harm in working with this doc to see what happens in a year's time.
                    As of 12/25/07, age 62, 100* thoracic kyphosis, 73* L1-S1 lordosis, 37*/25* compensatory S-curve scoliosis. On 12/26/07, Dr. Boachie @ HSS NYC did 11 hours ant. & post. procedures, fused T2-L2, kyphosis now 57*, scoli 10*. Regained 2 1/4 inches in height!! Improving every day.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Janet

                      I haven't been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia - initially the doctor ruled it out as I don't get any problems with heartburn fter eating. I do if I roll over in bed though which is odd. She originally thought that it was a stress reaction - too much pain in your back makes you produce more stomach acid which in turn has to go somewhere. I've been on acid supressants for a while to test the theory. The heartburn is just as frequent, but isn't quite as painful so I have to go and see here again for her next idea! I personally think it's "squashed" organs that are at the root of this.

                      Re muscles etc, I've had rolfing done and do some pilates - everything you can do to build up the muscles in your trunk will help. My curve hasn't got any better (in fact its got worse over time) but at least when I get the op I think my muscles will be stronger and more flexible and therefore more able to cope with the changes in my body after the op.

                      Good luck with everything.
                      Double 63(T)/75(L) deg curve with big sideways shift - Surgery in UK on 8th February 2006.
                      Post op 30(T)/33(L)
                      http://warpedwoman.blogspot.com/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Janet,

                        I have a hiatal hernia. I have had it for 26 years. I got it when I became pregnant with our first child. I am very short waisted and she sat very high pushing my stomach up. I have not had it fixed because the outcome it not worth it to me. Generally, it doesn't stay fixed. I have learned to eat right, to watch for what sets it off, (spicy foods, overeating, laying down or reclining to soon after eating, worrying) and deal with it that way. It is not from my scoliosis.
                        Theresa

                        April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
                        Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
                        Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
                        Fused T2 to sacrum
                        June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
                        MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours

                        FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I appreciate everyone's thoughtful replies. It seems as though digestive problems are not uncommon but that may be so even without scoliosis. All I know is that whenever I feel like food is just sitting in my esophagus, I've usually got increased tightness in my mid back in the same area. Has to be some relation....
                          Thanks again, everyone. N

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            ten years..........................................

                            I have had neck, back, throat, stomach, leg, hip &pelvis pain. I am sure I'm forgetting several.
                            A wicked sway back & bad knees. Scoliosis went undetected.
                            I am 40 & pushing for answers.
                            I am sure my doctor thinks I'm crazy.
                            Symptoms come & go at will.
                            I am having thorassic pain today, with numbness in my right hand.
                            Last week it was my neck.
                            Last month my back cramps with my period. Before that knees.
                            Spiraling in & out of severe pain.
                            I nap most days. My sleep pattern messes up.
                            I get headaches. It seems everything has been checked once. I am now going through re-doing xrays & mri's of upper back.
                            They found the bra line pain on xray finally.
                            Hope

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              farsideacres,
                              what kind of curves do you have?? sorry to hear of all your pain...are you on pain killers? are you due for surgery??
                              I never saw these posts before & since I've had bad reflux & some trouble swallowing w/ meats at dinner, It makes me think there is a scoliosis connection. I got bad heartburn last night about 2 am & I have to pop a tums! I believe it has to do with when I go on my sides. The big hip side I can't roll over on or I get the heartburn & gurggling. The no hip side I can bearly go on/uncomfortable. I just try to just sleep on my back...........Ly
                              60/60 curves 95 thorolum./80 kyphosis

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