Help with Reflux...whats causing this!!

I've been seeing a specalist for a while now, told me I have GERD, did a barium swallow, and a endoscope, the scope procedure showed inflammation in the esophagus. I've been taking prevacid for months now, although that helps alot, it still feels like food and liquids get like hung up in the esophagus on the way down. The barium swallow showed that I had a shatskis ring and a hital hernia, but when he did the scope, the Dr. told me that I had none of those, and that it must have been an esophagal spasm that caused false results like that. The Dr. told me that im too young to be having spasms, Im 22 btw, but I really feel that I have that problem as well, because when I swallow It feels like everything isn't working in sync. But on to the new problem, I ran out of prevacid so I figured i'd go until my next appointment, well i started getting acid reflux so I called the doctor and got more. But on sunday, I started having intense pain when swallowing anything, saliva, drinks and food. Feels like someone lights whatever I swallow on fire and then clamps the middle of my chest with a vice grip and whatever i swallow gets hung up there.

I never experienced anything this painful, its been almost a week, feels a litle better, but this is rediculous I dont even want to eat food or drink. Seriously though what could cause this? I have an appointment tomorrow, but i figured i'll try and get some input. Thanks in advance

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi hurley7789,

Painful swallowing is called odynophagia. It could be due to infections, ulcers or spasms.
The following tests can help in the diagnosis -

1. Esophageal manometry
2. Upper GI endoscopy.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.