Trouble swallowing as the only long-term symptom of MS?

[bmw1]

Hi, my question is this... is it possible that 6 years of swallowing trouble could be the only symptom of MS?

The reason I ask is that I have suffered from dysphagia for 6 years. It all started in 2003 when I got a piece of celery 'stuck' in my throat that even water wouldn't dislodge. It did eventually 'go down' with more food, but it was weird and scary. Since then, I've had two upper endoscopies, a trans-nasal laryngoscopy and a barium swallow. All were unremarkable except that the endoscopy revealed a small hiatal hernia of no consequence, and the barium swallow revealed reflux, and slow transport through the pharyngeal phase of swallowing (with some pooling in my pyriform sinuses requiring repeat swallows; i.e. 'dysphagia'.) That Barium swallow was 6 years ago and my GI doctor did not have much to say about it then or now, except to put me on PPIs for the reflux. (He did say recently that it could be 'muscular', but went no further than that... of course, that opened up a whole world of neurological pathologies in my mind. ;)

I know that MS can present with a vast array of visual, motor, sensory and other symptoms, but I have no other symptoms than 6 years of dysphagia. Some times it's not so bad, other times I can regurgitate some food if I try. I clear my throat a lot after eating too. No particular consistency of food or liquid seems any better or worse.

I am due for another barium swallow by my GI next week, but I am wondering at this point whether I should give up on the GI and the ENT doctors and see a neurologist. I feel like I am having to coordinate my own differential diagnosis at this point. Dysphagia can seem to have dozens of underlying causes, and I hope I can discover mine.

(BTW, I am a 48 year old male with no family history of anything)

[Tammy826]

I have swallowing problems but its not all the time. Mine happens all at once & I can't even drink anything, its like y throat slams shut all at once.

[Eyesnlegs]

I don't think I have spotted you around here before so hi and welcome if your new and if not then my memory is playing its usual tricks.

I am afraid I cannot answer your question as I have not had any swallowing problems although I do have quite a few gastric issues but I am bumping this up so that others can see it and perhaps help.

I may be wrong but my understanding is that MS can present with one episode and then hide for many months / years. I have not heard of anyone having one on going issue for so long. but this is where those who have experienced this jump in and shoot me down - lol.

I hope that it is something much more simple than MS though.

Pat