Difficulty Swallowing and Other Symptoms

I am a female, age 44. Six years ago, I started feeling slight pressure in the center of my chest.  I went to my internist and he did a chest x-ray and EKG which came back normal. Ever since, I have continued to feel slight chest pressure. It comes and goes and is not tied to anything like food, time of day, etc. I have attributed it to anxiety.

Two days ago, I noticed that when I swallow food, I feel discomfort behind my breastbone, near the point where the esophagus ends. It feels like something is obstructing the passage of food. In addition, although I have never felt heartburn, I have had problems with belching and excessive abdominal gas for many years. Six months ago, I saw a physician's assistant about the abdominal gas/pain. I had a blood test done. The blood test came back negative except for elevated liver enzymes. A check for hepatitis and an abdominal ultrasound came back negative. I was told the elevated liver enzymes might be a reaction to medication (antibiotics or ibuprofen) that I'd been taking for an abscessed tooth. And, the gas might be the result of IBS.

I'm worried that there may be a connection between my symptoms. Do you see a connection?

As I've done research on difficulty swallowing, I've read articles on esophageal cancer, and now I'm really scared. What other conditions besides a tumor could be responsible for the feeling that food has to pass an obstruction when going through the esophagus? How likely is it that my problem is something other than a malignant tumor?  (I do not drink or smoke and am not overweight, but I have a poor diet.)

My internist retired last year. Today, I called several internists whom my retired doctor recommended. The soonest I could get an appointment is a month from now. Is this too long to wait to check this out? Should I try to get in to see a gastroenterologist instead of an internist? Do I have to have a referral to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist?

Thank you.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the GI referral.  Any type of blockage needs to be further evaluated.  Esophageal cancer is indeed one of the causes, as well as more benign conditions like a stricture or ring within the esophagus.  

An upper endoscopy is the test to consider.  This is a comprehensive test that would rule out many of the more serious conditions.  

This option can be discussed with your personal physician or gastroenterologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[Snowater]

Checking on a diagnosis explanation of Mild esophageal dysmotility and came accross your post. I have had same symptoms for past 3 years. Came and went off and on. Dr recently diagnosed me with Multiple Sclerosis and stste difficulty swollowing was a common syptom (symptom). Had me take Barrium swollow test and Mild Esophogeal Dysmotility with tetiary contractions was found. Dr. Hytel my Neurologist said it was common with MS Pt's.
                                                       Lloydd Snowater

[Lindsey2]

My difficulty swallowing went away after a few days.  I'm relieved, but still planning to have some testing done to see if there is anything wrong.

[Hong20]

My friend is down with helicobacter pylori. It's been months she has been seeing doctors. Nothing change. She finds it difficult to swallow her food. Unable to eat well. She does not feel hungry too. what help can be rendered to her. Her daughter age 13 is also losing appetite to eat. Please help My eemail is ***@****