Anyone ever have these symptoms?

[live4christp1]

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.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow, you need a endoscopy to check for Barretts esophagus and a hernia.

I would say you have serious reflux damage. Get an endoscopy pronto!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I do not have those symptoms exactly but my acid reflux does not manifest itself in a way that I would have ever associated with it. It does not feel like heartburn to me at all. One of two things happens with me (the second being related to what you describe I think):
1. Terrible sinus headahces that never went away. I do not have these anymore now that the GERD is mostly under control and I am on medication for it.
2. When mine flares up worse than normal I get a horrible "lump" feeling in my throat. I can breath and swallow, but psychologically I always feel like I shouldn't be able to because the lump is so big. Sometimes you an even see and feel the lump on the outside of my neck. The first time this happened I went to the ER in a panic. After checking everything else out that it could possibly it was decided this swelling was a rewaction to all the acid from teh GERD (I do not feel any heartburn sensation nor taste acid in my mouth, etc.). My Dr. has told me to take a second Tagament immediatly when this starts to occur and call him within 24 hours. If it happens more than twice in a week he ups the strength of my meds for a month or two (oddly I seem to be prone to these outbreaks if there is a lot of pollen in the air--why that would trigger GERDS is nayone's guess but it is the only trigger we have been able to pinpoint). The swelling goes away quickly with the added meds so I think the diagnosis is likely correct (it takes days to go all the way down on its own).

 

[angelat]

I definitely agree with the PP. You need to get an endoscopy done. Is this your primary care physician giving you the meds for the GERD? If it is, I would suggest going to a Gastroenterologist. They are who would be doing the endoscopy anyway.

I’m a little shocked actually that the Dr. didn’t schedule you for the endoscopy though. GERD can cause many problems that you might not even be aware of. It can exacerbate Asthma, cause or worsen Sinusitis among other things. PLEASE have this checked out as soon as possible. It’s never a good thing when you can’t swallow food.
Let us know how everything goes.

BTW...you don't always get typical symptoms with GERD. I've suffered for years and do not always get "hearburn" as a symptom.

 

[justjudy]

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.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You need to get a real diagnosis. Get a GI Doc and get some tests. Your symptoms are pretty serious.

 

[heartsy77]

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 hiccups with this. With hiccups 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 progresses 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.

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.

 

[live4christp1]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

It is my primary doctor and I'm not liking him to much, only been seeing him for about 3 years. He doesn't seem to listen to what I'm saying at all. He's a nice enough guy just not trusting his opinion I guess.

I had a back injury a couple of years ago that sent me to the ER and the ER doctor said that he really thought I had a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease. That I needed to see my primary for follow up and have an MRI. So I made my follow up with primary, relayed the info and he just more or less blew it off prescribed me some Naproxyn (which I told him I can't take because it makes my stomach upset) and moved on.

So now I guess I need to look for a new primary physician and a GE doc.

I really hate going to the doctor.

 

[Inigo]

As someone with a gastro disease, I would recommend seeing a gastroenterologist so the problem can be diagnosed. An endoscopy is pretty easy, and it would hopefully answer the questions about what's going on.

If you were near Indy, I can recommend a great GI. I love my doc!

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

No advice but lots of sympathy. I had swallowing difficulties a few years ago. The doctors never figured out why. It was a very scary sensation to not be able to swallow.

 

[Micca]

I knew a guy with symptoms like that. He is a biz associate and sometimes we'd be at a dinner and what you described would happen to him. I don't recall what they did for him, but the symptoms were most unpleasant for my friend and for the others at the dinner table.

Good luck with the doc

 

[C.Ann]

I just had an endoscopy done in December and was pretty much floored by the results: GERD/acid reflux; chronic gastritis; and a significant hernia..

I was having all sorts of digestive/intestinal issues, but never had any heart burn, acid reflux, or anything of that nature..

What I did have - quite frequently - was hiccups right after eating.. Also, an uncomfortable sense of feeling "full" (and being short of breath) after eating only a small amount of food - the "occasional" lump in the throat sensation - and constant gurgling of my stomach and intestines that would start the minute I swallowed anything (food OR liquids)..

My doctor prescribed Prilosec, but also told me that a large part of my problem was that I was taking in too much air while I was eating/drinking and while I was sleeping (due to the fact that I'm a "mouth breather")-thus all the gurgling.. He suggested that I eat smaller meals, as well as take my time while eating or drinking - use Breathe Right Strips every night - and sleep in a room with either a fan running or a cool mist humidifier.. I followed all of his instructions to the letter and things are much better now! Still having some intestinal problems, but that's an IBS issue that is being magnified by another medication I'm taking for a different issue..

Ask for a referral to a gastro and have the endoscopy done.. I was scared to death (never had one before), but my gastro knocked me out cold and I never even realized it was over until I woke up in the recovery area of the out-patient section and my DD started talking to me.. Nothing to be frightened of - tell your gastro you want to be knocked out - and you'll find the answers to the questions you have..

Good luck!

 

[LisaNJ25]

how long have you been taking the medicine? I just started prilosec monday.

I have these feeling like I just ate and the food is stuck right below my ribs. At times it was very painful and kept me awake at night. I went for blood work this week and went for an ultrasound today so see if it was my gallbladder. Bloodwork came back good and ultrasound tech said she didnt see anything.

 

[C.Ann]

how long have you been taking the medicine? I just started prilosec monday.

I have these feeling like I just ate and the food is stuck right below my ribs. At times it was very painful and kept me awake at night. I went for blood work this week and went for an ultrasound today so see if it was my gallbladder. Bloodwork came back good and ultrasound tech said she didnt see anything.

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The initial treatment with Prilosec is 14 days - however, if you have significant problems your gastro might want you to take it indefinitely.. Also, it can be pricey over the counter, so if you have a prescription plan that would be less costly, ask him to write you the script for the "old" version - available by script only - that is basically the same thing..

 

[Christine]

GERD (asymptomatic or not) leads to irritation of the esophagus which manifests itself in a number of ways. One of the ways is esophageal spasms which is sounds like you are having.

My co-worker has GERD and also has the same symptoms as you; however, he is weights about 300 lbs and the abdominal pressure from his weight contributes to the esophageal issues. Are you overweight?

 

[disbridemimi]

Go with your gut instinct and GET A SECOND OPINION!!!!


Always trust your instince. Doctors have a way of brushing people off these days that I find troubling. (I work in healthcare)


Do you have any thyroid issues? ON any thyroid meds?

 

[LisaNJ25]

---------------

The initial treatment with Prilosec is 14 days - however, if you have significant problems your gastro might want you to take it indefinitely.. Also, it can be pricey over the counter, so if you have a prescription plan that would be less costly, ask him to write you the script for the "old" version - available by script only - that is basically the same thing..

ahh I meant to say Nexium..that is what I am taking.. is that the one you are referring to as the old one? I know my Dr said to let her know in 20 days if its working so she could contact my ins company. I wonder if they dont like to cover it since you can get prilosec otc

 

[C.Ann]

ahh I meant to say Nexium..that is what I am taking.. is that the one you are referring to as the old one? I know my Dr said to let her know in 20 days if its working so she could contact my ins company. I wonder if they dont like to cover it since you can get prilosec otc

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Wait.. Let me get my prescription bottle..

Back.. It's "omeprazole" - 20 mgs. - 1 capsule every morning..
Prescribed for: "Acid-related stomach and espphagus problems; acid reflux; GERD; ulcers; erosive esophagitis, or Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome."

Cost me (with my script plan) $10 for a 30-day supply..

 

[SundancePass]

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.


I can't figure out what is going on.

I have the EXACT same thing happening, but it's almost every day unless I chew everything really really well. And if there is too much food inside that hasn't gotten into my stomach sometimes, I vomit. Really gross. But as it's not really uncomfortable (no burning or anything like that, just a bunch of pain when the lump of stuff finally enters my stomach usually with lots of water pushing it it) I didn't think much about it.

Think I might should get to a GI Doc soon from what others have said. It NEVER occurred to me that it could be serious!

 

[disney kid at heart]

Wow, you need a endoscopy to check for Barretts esophagus and a hernia.

I would say you have serious reflux damage. Get an endoscopy pronto!!!!

I agree. You need a EGD. It could be a hiatal hernia or Barretts (which I have) but you do need to have one. Let us know how it goes.