GERD and diffuse esophageal spasm.
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Hello, I am a 23-year-old female I was recently diagnosed with GERD and diffuse esophageal spasm after having an x-ray, barium swallow, balloon stent, endoscopy, and esophageal manometry. I am now on medication for the esophageal spasms that lower my blood pressure but my blood pressure is low from genetics. Sometimes I get very dizzy and it has gotten to the point that I don’t feel comfortable driving. I have read about antidepressants helping rather than heart pressure medication, but my doctor said he doesn’t think it would help and if the heart medication is helping the spasms, I should stick with it.
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@nah It appears you are suffering from diffuse esophageal spasms but also have low blood pressure. Calcium channel blocks and nitrates (both heart medications) have been proven to effectively decrease the amplitude of diffuse esophageal spasms. These medications are generally well tolerated but may lower the blood pressure of patients. Unfortunately, it appears that you have low blood pressure and these medications are giving you symptomatic hypotension. If you feel uncomfortable driving because of dizziness, it may be necessary to explore alternative treatment options. The antidepressant you are referring to, imipramine (tricyclic antidepressants) is not indicated for treating diffuse esophageal spasms. Instead, it may be used as a last resort to treat unexplained chest pain. Your best alternative if calcium channel blockers and nitrates are intolerable is botulism injection above the lower esophageal sphincter.