trouble swallowing

[tld73]

I have been having problem latley with swallowing food, everything seems to be getting stuck in my chest area, and also I can't seem to initiate swallowing when the food is in the back of my throat, it's almost as if I forget how to swallow for a few seconds or so. I have been to the doctors about this and have made an appointment with my GI doctor, I'm now on protonix for severe heartburn. I already have a pancreatic problem (choledochocele) and IBS, among other health problems, so I'm not sure if this has anything to do with anything else going on, or if it's just one more thing wrong. Just wanted to see if anyone else has had the food getting stuck or the forgetting how to swallow and what it is.

Thanks:)
Tanya

[rainangel]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!  I have had this complaint off and on for several years, have been to a specialist, had several tests and probes (a light down my throat!), and no results to explain the condition.  Although it's not, for me, forgetting how to swallow, it is just not being able to!  It's like there is a blockage in my esophagus, and I can't even get water down.  I have to cough up whatever is stuck there, which sometimes is just ordinary saliva, and try to relax for a time.  I've decided, due to circumstances at the time the problem occurs, it is basically a nervous reaction of some sort to stress.  It can be embarassing at times, but I've learned to notice ahead of time when it seems to be "coming on", and try to avoid swallowing anything, or excusing myself to the restroom. If anyone comes up with an answer, please let me know! I thought it was pollops, but that was eliminated from the beginning. Deep breathing and a little meditation seems to be the best "cure", for me, at this time.

[IsoGrrrl]

I sympathize completely with the issues of dysphagia.  It began for me about 2 months ago when allergies got really bad with the pollen season. At that point, I just had to eat slowly but after about 3-4 weeks and the feeling of food sticking in the front of my throat and feeling like I forgot how to swallow- I became too anxious to eat food at all and switched myself to a soft diet - soups, smoothies, protein drinks.  I have seen my MD who referred me to a GI who performed blood work and a EGD.  Everything checked out normal.  The EGD was 2 days ago but I can't convince myself to eat yet.  

I have had alot of stress at the same time: extremely long days at work, purchasing our first home, car trouble, in laws visiting for 10 days and my husband was temprarily out of work - all in about a 30 day period.  My question is - has anyone heard of globus - an emotional reaction to stress which sounds like me as it just came on and there appears to be no physical cause.  

Any idea what I should do nect?  I am not too much into medical procedures and since the EGD was clear - I think this may be my reaction to stress as it appears to improve and then dissipate

[IsoGrrrl]

I sympathize completely with the issues of dysphagia.  It began for me about 2 months ago when allergies got really bad with the pollen season. At that point, I just had to eat slowly but after about 3-4 weeks and the feeling of food sticking in the front of my throat and feeling like I forgot how to swallow- I became too anxious to eat food at all and switched myself to a soft diet - soups, smoothies, protein drinks.  I have seen my MD who referred me to a GI who performed blood work and a EGD.  Everything checked out normal.  The EGD was 2 days ago but I can't convince myself to eat yet.  

I have had alot of stress at the same time: extremely long days at work, purchasing our first home, car trouble, in laws visiting for 10 days and my husband was temprarily out of work - all in about a 30 day period.  My question is - has anyone heard of globus - an emotional reaction to stress which sounds like me as it just came on and there appears to be no physical cause.  

Any idea what I should do nect?  I am not too much into medical procedures and since the EGD was clear - I think this may be my reaction to stress as it appears to improve and then dissipate

[JackieG]

You are both doing the right thing in seeing a gastroenterologist. You should request an endoscopy if the GI doc doesn't recommend it. Difficulty swallowing can probably arise from a number of causes, some more severe than others. In my case, it was the initial symptom of esophageal cancer. Fortunately, there are ony 14,000 new cases of esophageal cancer diagnosed in the US each year out of a population base of approximately 290,000,000, so the odds are in your favor by a wide, wide margin.

Good luck, and let us know what your GI docs discover.

Best wishes,
Chicken Soup

[DougPoison]

I just posted close to yours about similar problems.  I know it's scary as hell not being able to swallow properly.  My problems seem to have increased with an increase in Prevacid to 90mg a day!  I'm seeing a GI specialist in Ohio State Med Center, because I've been tossed around Lima, Ohio like a rag doll by these guys that are "less educated"...

I rarely have that problem where I forget to swallow, but I have had it and know exactly what you're talking about.  When it happens to me, it's like "okay, swallow now!", and it just doesn't happen like the muscles won't move or something, which then brings a panic feeling for a few seconds.  My swallowing problem is more of having to swallow hard, and there is always mucus and bubbles in my throat with the tight feeling.

God bless you, and I wish you relief in the greatest way.
Doug