My symptoms are troubling.

In the past few months I have been having trouble swallowing...where the food appears to be getting stuck half way down my esophogus.  I also have a sensation of bloating or stomach tightness and a slight pain on my right side below my rib cage.

I am in very good health, going to see my doctor tomarrow, but am worried and concerned with the "worse case senario"...

Any thoughts or help????

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are a variety of reasons why people have problems swallowing.  They can include a mass (i.e. cancer), an esophageal stricture, a motility disorder, GERD, or an esophageal web.

The next test to consider would be a barium swallow/upper GI series and/or upper endoscopy.  These tests would be the most comprehensive to evaluate this symptom.  The treatment would depend on what is found.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

you didn't mention your age or sex, smoking, etc. But the best answer is what you are already doing: seeing your doctor. One could list several causes, from simple to serious. It could be a muscular disorder, a stricture from acid reflux, a "nervous" disorder, a tumor, etc, etc. The way you will find out is to have it looked into, as you are planning to do.

[imconcerned]

Sorry about not being more explicit....I am 44 yrs old, non-smoker, 200 lbs, 6'0", casual drinker or wine with meals.

[bgorniak]

It's funny that neither of these doctors addressed your comment about having pain on the right side of your rib...

I have wondered for years if the pain I frequently experienced in my right rib was related to the fact that I was bulimic.  For awhile I assumed it was from physically leaning over the toilet to purge (sorry if this offends anyone), thinking I had actually bruised or fractured a rib with the toilet bowl rim pressing against me while I knelt over it.

I have been recovering from my ED after 13 years since about last April.  For the most part I do not engage in the purging anymore, and have not had the pain in my side for a long time.  However, on the occassions when I DO "slip" and purge a few times, the pain returns almost instantly.

I am wondering now if there is any relationship between the esophagus and this pain?  I know for a fact that I have caused harm to myself with this ED.  I suffered from constant acid reflux and from occassional accute spasming of my esophagus.  The doctor I saw at the time said it was most likely ulcerated.  It felt like someone had stabbed me with a burning knife right below my sternum, carrying through to my back, and the only relief I could get at those times was to make myself vomit and then sit with a heating pad on my back to ease the spasms in my esophagus.  Immediately following such episodes, the pain in my right rib would intensify for a few days.

What could be going on here?  For me it isn't a huge problem anymore because I am doing so well in my recovery, but I'm more than curious...

Any thoughts on this?

Barbara

[tessa0825]

I don't have any idea about your right sided pain but I can't imagine the strain of vommiting wouldn't, over time, cause all sorts of pains..As for your esophagus, what has your dr. suggested you have done about "probably having ulcers in there"?...You could have caused alot of damage in your esophagus from all the vomitting and the subsequent reflux...I would ask for an EGD and have it properly evaluated....Tessa

[bgorniak]

I know for a fact that I have damaged myself, but at this time I am self-medicating.  I don't need to have extensive testing done for something I already know exists.  Taking the OTC Prilosec has done wonders for my acid reflux and I am in recovery from my bulimia to an extent that the purging is so infrequent that I no longer consider it a threat to my health, which was my goal.

I was just wondering if there could be a relation to the esophagus and the right rib-area...it wouldn't seem likely, anatomically, but the coincidence of the co-existing symptoms just seemed to spark my curiosity...

~B~

[tessa0825]

Just remember that OTC PPIs were never intended as a substitute for medical evaluation....Long term acid reflux can cause all kinds of damage that you would have no way of knowing about without proper tests and evaluation...Im not a big advocate of OTC Prilosec...I think it causes people to self treat and self diagnose. Long term reflux and esophageal damage can even be responsible for the very unkind adenocarcinoma of the esophagus....Best of luck, I hope you continue to do well...