is it digestion

revcently when I eat I feel that I have swallowed a large rock which stays in my chest and when I have a hot drink can really feel it going down, I am afraid to drink tonic water or lemonade as it seems that I am constantly wanting to burp, I have never had this before and also am awakened sometimes during the night with the awful feeling of having swallowed a rock, this is quite painful but surely cannot be down to indegestion, I also chew my food well so just cant think what is causing this, please can you help, I am otherwise quite healthy, thank you

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
The symptoms you have could be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease or diffuse esophageal spasm.
Esophageal manometry and 24 hours pH monitoring may be done for evaluation.