Anyone ever have these symptoms?

[JanaNs]

OP, I have the exact same symptoms. Several years ago I started getting what my doctor called esophageal spasms. It was so painful and there would be no rhyme or reason to when I would get them but I had many sleepless nights because of them. All I could do for relief was drink...anything...just the swallowing of something liquid seemed to make it a bit better. My Dr. prescribed Prevacid (even though I never had heartburn) and another prescription for a med that would help relax my esophagus. They didn't work. Then last year the swallowing issue started. I happens EVERY meal. Sometimes even liquids get "stuck". I had the scope put down to see if there was an obstruction or a narrowing but they saw no abnormalities. So I was referred to a thorasic surgeon 3 mos. ago. He said I may have something that is quite rare called ACALASIA. You should Google that word because when I did the symptoms it described are exactly what I have. Now I am waiting to get in for these "pressure tests" which is another type of scope to see if that's really what I have. I have had some very scary moments where I thought I was going to die but he assured me that when food is stuck further down (more in your chest area) that you can still breathe although you feel panicky and like you can't breathe. I'm hoping to get to the bottom of it soon...I love to eat and have lost all desire to. I really hope you figure out what is causing yours too. I know how uncomfortable it can be.

 

[Pig Pen]

I've had this problem for years. Food gets stuck and I either drink lots of water to force it down, or it comes back up. Once I had to go to the ER and have a piece of steak removed from my esophagus (they knocked me out to do it). I had a barium swallow and they told me they didn't see any irregularities.

In the meantime I had started experiencing heartburn almost non-stop. I was taking antacids about 5 times per day. So, about 2 months ago I started taking Prilosec over the counter. I have had one bout of heartburn since then...after eating hot jalapno hummus on chips for a late night snack.

I just realized today at lunch that I ate the entire meal without any difficulty in swallowing (which is very rare). Try the Prilosec...but be aware that it may take weeks before the acid is reduced enough so that your esophogus can heal.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think you need to give this medicine a chance. DH went to the doctor with some weird pain in his chest and his doctor prescribed Nexium. We were certain the doctor was a quack, but he took it anyway. After a couple of weeks the pain went away and has never come back.

The doctor told him that meds were the first (quick, easy and cheap) diagnostic tool - if the meds work, problem solved, if they don't more testing is needed.

Good luck to you. I hope you are feeling better, soon.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am so glad this thread is here!
My dad has been having stomach issues. He says it is not burning but a Gnawing feeling in the middle of his stomach. Said after spicy foods he'll feel burning sensation.
Saw his MD, who said acid reflux (no scope, no blood work, nothing, just talked) and gave him Nexium (samples) to take for 2 weeks and then if not better, he said they'll do tests.
meanwhile I called my pharmacist (who I LOVE) and he said that since my dad was still so uncomfortable that he could take mylanta during the day to help out with the acid thats there till the Nexium slows the secretion of the acid. Also said small meals, stay away from spice, sauce, high carbs and some others.
My dad is not one to complain and he lives alone, 72, active and otherwise healthy. This is really getting to him and I was wondering if there is any advice you can share. I would so appreciate your input!

 

[a1tinkfans]

ANYONE?????
shamefully bumping and we need some help...
he is getting serious burning, said lower left side under rib area...been on Mylanta and Nexium since thursday and said he is not sleeping and feeling worse.
Dr i snot in today, and Gastro not in till Monday....was told by dr last week that he could always go to ER. What a waste in my mind...meanwhile, he is eating bland and I/we REALLY could use some guidance if you have any...

trying to research peptic ulcer????? so lost and he NEVER complains, it is just awful, he is about 45 minutes away and alone.....I thnk I will head there in a while.
ANY info would help!!

 

[damo]

I have the exact same problem. ENT put me on nexium when he looked at vocal cords and said they were being burned with stomach acid. I was dumbfounded. So I filled the Nexium and never had an "attack" again. My raspy voice is also better. I also had the sinus issues which is why I was at ENT in the first place.

My DH has something similar. When he eats he starts to cough. He is on an acid reflux drug and doesn't have any issues as long as he is on it.

 

[kimmar067]

....wow, that happens to my DH sometimes when he eats rice, although when he eats rice pasta it DOESN'T happen....he always thought hat he was possibly allergic to rice....

 

[angelat]

ANYONE?????
shamefully bumping and we need some help...
he is getting serious burning, said lower left side under rib area...been on Mylanta and Nexium since thursday and said he is not sleeping and feeling worse.
Dr i snot in today, and Gastro not in till Monday....was told by dr last week that he could always go to ER. What a waste in my mind...meanwhile, he is eating bland and I/we REALLY could use some guidance if you have any...

trying to research peptic ulcer????? so lost and he NEVER complains, it is just awful, he is about 45 minutes away and alone.....I thnk I will head there in a while.
ANY info would help!!

Well, it's Monday already, so I hope that he was able to get into a doc. If it's the lower left side where he is feeling pain, this could be pancreatitis. If this was my dad, I'd have him get it checked out sooner rather than later. If, however, its under the right ribs, that would be symptoms of a gall bladder attack. They will probably run some blood work to check liver enzymes and some other things, and if he is seen at the UC or ER they may do an ultrasound to rule out anything serious.

Let us know how things went.

 

[lemondog]

I had something very like this a number of years ago. After doing a barium swallow xray the Dr. determined that I had a condition called achalasia (not sure of the spelling). The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach narrows and the food can't empty into the stomach. It's odd because although the food is caught in the esophagus, it feels as though it's in your throat. It's worth investigating because it can be easily remedied.

My FIL had something similar. He had to go to the ER and get the food surgically removed -- TWICE! Since then he has had surgery to repair the condition. Definitely get it checked out.

 

[dalt01]

My doctor prescribed medication for GERD or acid reflux but I really don't think that is the problem.

I never feel like I have indigestion or acid reflux.

This is what happens and it's very sporadic.....won't happen for weeks and then all of a sudden every time I eat for a couple of weeks. Thought spicy food was the trigger but it happens sometimes with just plain old mashed potatoes.

When I start eating the food seems to not go completely down like it's stuck. Sometimes I get the hicups with this. With hicups and without I get a choking sensation and feel like I can't get any air. Sometimes I'm able to get a few breaths, swallow and force the food down and get it under control. Other times it progesses to the point of making me sick (gag). Sometimes it is one episode and over. Other times it will be several episodes in a row at the same meal.

Once the above symptoms have passed I don't have anything else....no reflux, no heartburn, etc.

I can't figure out what is going on.

CHEW................... seriously, i get the going down hard thingy, the first couple times i mildly paniced and that caused the breathing thing. now i just stay calm and powerslug a glass of water. problem over.

 

[metalis4ever]

I have both GERD as well as Barrett's Esophagus and what you are describing very rarely happens to me. My GERD is so bad that Water will set it off. Sometimes food will taste sour and feel as though its sitting in my throat but nothing that extreme especially since I have been on medication first Nexium and now Omprezole for the past 3 years.

Do you wake up in the middle of the night feeling as though your throat is filled with acid and you are drowning from said acid? If not you don't have GERD LOL

You could have a Thyroid issue, which I have as well, I'm a damn mess which can push against your esophagus I have noticed that when I forget to take my Thyroid pill I will be eating and I will feel as though I am choking and I begin to cough uncontrollably but no hiccups..

As others have said get an Endoscopy and seek advice from and Ears, Nose and Throat specialist. They have tons of funky and uncomfortable tests they can put you through to determine the cause of your discomfort. Definitely your best best is to make an appointment with an Ears, Nose and Throat guy as your regular Dr. is not in the position to make an assessment on something he does not specialize in, hence the patch up GERD medication...

 

[mum4jenn]

YES!!! I went through this as well and also with mashed potatoes and the food would get stuck and would not go down.I would have to make myself throw up to get any relief. I ended up having an endoscopy and the Dr determined that I indeed have GERD/acid reflux/hiatal hernia but also with a stricture. He went in and stretched the area of the esophagus that was causing my food to come back into the esophagus and I also take Nexium. This was in 2006 and the Dr said I would eventually have to have more surgery on it but as long as the Nexium works I am supposed to go that route. They ruled out all the other more serious things that could be wrong.