Esophageal Dysmotility and cancer

[mswmommy63]

Hi,  I have had trouble swallowing pills from time to time for about 5 months.  They get stuck in my throat and dissolve and the acid comes back up.  I also have been regurgitating my food before it gets to my stomach.  I had a barium swallow and the radiologist said that I had "Esophogeal Dysmotility."  Basically, my esophagus is not working correctly and things get stuck in a couple of places.  My father died of esophageal cancer so I am a bit spooked.  The radiologist said that he did not see any blockages, and I assume that there will be at least an endoscopy to check further.  I just wonder if anyone knows how often swallowing problems are not related to esophageal cancer?  I am 42 years old and have had malignant schwanomma as well.  I just would like to hear from people who have had this issue and what was attributed as the cause.  Thanks for any help or encouragement that you can give.

[boninclyde]

I had a barium swallow 2 months ago. The pill got stuck in my esphogus just before entering the stomach. I went for a upper endoscopy and they found nothing. So sometimes this can happen. My husband said your brain makes those nerves in your throat, espogus, spincher and stomach work and if your swallowing something you don't want to (baruim stuff and pill) then it will stop at the spincher. He said your body has to be ready to except things. I worried myself sick for no reason. Maybe this helped.

[myproblem]

Esophageal dysmotility can also be associated with scarring or fibrosis. I have it too, and in my case it is from fibrosis caused by Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.

[mswmommy63]

How did they treat your dysmotility?  Thanks.

[Lisaphil99]

Hi, I am 28 years old & my mom died 4 years ago when she was 50 from esophageal cancer.  So,  like you worry alot that this will happen to me.  Sometimes I think I worry too much & that may cause some of my sysptoms because I convience myself that there is something wrong with me.  I have gone to a specailist & had several endoscopy's done & Barium swallows, & a ph test.  The barium swallow did not detect anything except that my espogus is slow to move down my food. I do have acid reflex & am on medicine the rest of my life.  There is a sugery that you can get done that will stop the acid from ever coming up into your espogus.  I am contemplating that. My 2 aunts have had it done. My husband read in the paper a study that OSU did stating that black rasberries will prevent esophgus cancer.  I don't know how true that is but, I 'll try anything.  I also sleep w/ my bed raised 6 inches off the floor.  Acid reflux is definlty linked to cancer. Hope this helps you.

[Jesusmysavior]

I too have had trouble swallowing not only pills but food.  Have you had a manometry test done?  I have one scheduled.  It is the only test that tells specifically your esophageal contractions and how well your esophagus is moving food and med down.