Difficulty Swallowing

[ravanwood]

I have been experiencing difficulty swallowing but it has progressed to near severe. Even swallowing water can be very difficult. I believe that anxiety plays a role regarding my difficulty swallowing but it is not the sole reason. However, anxiety may be the reason it has gotten progressively worse. I had an echo and Hida scan(I think its called) that yielded no results. I do have thick mucus that is also difficult to swallow, mild allergies that I take meds for and an extremely sluggish thyroid that I also take meds for. My throat literally feels over worked and stressed all day. Thrush was ruled out and so far GERD meds are not helping. This problem prevents me from eating out with family and friends because I literally almost have to spit out my food before I can swallow it, if I can swallow at all and this is very embarrassing. Anyone else going through this or has gone through this? I really do not want to do any more "tests" with out a lead. Better yet, I would much rather fix this with natural/homeopathic remedies. Thanks!

[ravanwood]

I have never had a doctor say that it was hashimoto, but I do have to take 1 pill of levelly of 200 mcg and another at 25 mcg. My white blood cell count is usually always above the normal range and I have been tested for almost everything. The only thing I have not done was the whole swallowing a camera or upper GI I believe it's called. I am being treated for anxiety with 1 Klonopin  per day. I would prefer to be able to take 2 per day but my doctor believes that it would make me too sleepy. I have told him that I usually take one by mid to late afternoon. My only solution is just to split the pill in half but sometimes it is not enough for my anxiety. Some days I do not need it at all. Maybe I should just try taking and Advil or the like to see if that helps (if there is any inflammation). I don't have a hiatal hernia based on the ultra sound and the hida scan.

[courtney48]

Is your thyroid problem hashimoto?  If so, it is autoimmune and sometimes persons with hashi also have sjogren's which can affect the GI including swallow issues.  Just a thought.  You are treating allergies and thyroid it sounds like.  Are you also treating anxiety?  Might be something to consider.  If that is the cause, might be a simple enough fix if treated through therapy and/or medicine.  Good luck.

[trixieplayer]

I know that you have probably already considered this, but I have similar symptoms with my hiatal hernia.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Aside stress/ anxiety, possibilities that may need to be considered include GI/ URT infections, inflammations, GI motility issues/ neuro-muscular causes, micronutrient deficiencies, growths/ masses etc. I would suggest consulting a gastroenterologist for a detailed evaluation. After a specific cause is identified, it can be managed accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!