Swallowing spasm?

[Shyrlgame]

I'm thinking this is a sx from treatment.  Wondering if anyone else has experienced this:

It started with just cold drinks,  when I swallow I feel like a spasm as the liquid gets further down the esophagus, just at the lower rib cage, more on left side.  Not painful, just uncomfortable.

I know muscle spasm and aches can be a side effect of treatment, so just wondered if anyone else has experienced this.  

Thankful for any replies,
Shyrl

[zoda53]

Yes, my husband has experienced out of sequence swallowing.  He actually starts choking on food or drink due to swallowing.  He was also blind for one year and since 2007 he now has vision in just the upper half of his eyes.  The treatment caused low vision, joint pain, tremors, lesions on his brain (like MS), memory and short term memory loss, autoimmune disorder, lupus and psoriasis, anxiety etc.

[Dee1956]

You are so welcome, I hope that you can find some relief ASAP :)

[Shyrlgame]

You know Dee, when I Google it, it comes up as a side effect for Ribavirin.  However it is not listed in the package I get.  Interesting, but I guess it warrants a mention to my doc.

Thanks for your investigating, much appreciated!

[Dee1956]

I'm sorry you are going through this, I hope that it improves.
Dee

[Shyrlgame]

Yes Dee I had bad spasm across my shoulder blades first couple weeks.  Couldn't lift my arm or take a full deep breath.  It felt like my lungs were pressing on the muscle when I inhaled.  My doc said yes prob was.

Lol after that the anemia started.  

I actually have some colour back, and some energy, so over all, I feel pretty good. . . . I can handle this.

[Shyrlgame]

Thanks for the input.  Weird, but I will let my doc know next apt, if it persists.  

It took me a few days to connect to pain/spasm, I just thought hmm, what's that?  Then I was drinking an iced coconut water, a couple days ago. . . And I noticed it with every sip.  Now I notice it a lot. . . It'd be a drag if got worse, yeah I hope it goes away.

I know I think everything is SX now, lol.

Cold water is really nice in this heat, but I suppose I can give it up for a couple days and see if that helps.  I'l try the calcium, magnesium and zinc, and switch to room temp water, with lemon.  I' m definately drinking enough fluids, but I think I'm going to miss the cold stuff.

Oh well,
Thanks guys,

[mzkity]

Hi Shyrl! I think I have what your talking about. It's like your swallowing a lump of something. But mine started before treatment. I've never asked a doctor, but I'm thinking mine is related to acid reflex maybe. I also called my sister about this because we have talked about it before. She has trouble swallowing certain foods because of it. It seems to help if I eat real slow. Maybe it isn't the same but is uncomfortable! Try timing it after you've taken your ribavirin. I'm a believer anything can be related to treatment.   Good luck!     Kitty

[Dee1956]

I am searching for others with similar problems, you click on the magnifying glass at the top of the page and can search for anything you need information on.
One person was having problems because they did not drink enough water so could not swallow.  another had a hiatal hernia. another had GERD.
With the exception of the person who was dehydrated they all had to go to the doctor.  An ENT or a GI.  I am sorry I can't find anything else.  For the severe muscle spasms I took calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc.  It helped a little.  Another person drank quinine to try to help their spasms
Good luck

[Dee1956]

Shyrl, I am so sorry.  I had a lot of gagging during the Incivek portion of the tx.  I had to take promethazine to help with that.
Have you spoken to your doctor?
I also had awful charlie horse type cramps all over my body.
I am hoping someone will be able to help.
D

[LN55]

I've not had a spasm like that but I've had a variety of twitches and minor muscle spasms during tx. Probably muscular. These drugs never stop amazing me with weird physical effects. A few weeks ago a scar on my right arm started aching. Actually felt like it does when healing. A scar? From stitches I received 22 years ago? Only ached for a few hours...strange. Hope the spasm side clears up for you.