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Q: can't swallow

asked by: klzzie on July 15th, 2009

New User

hi
back in january of this year i started having problems swallowing foods..it started out once in awhile and then on certain foods..
i didnt think anything of it, until 7 months later which is a month ago now...suddenly i couldnt swallow food at all. then at night my own saliva( which is half the day now) to fall asleep i have to drool all out. I can swallow liquids with no problem.

I have no pain no sickness nothing. I basically just keep chewing and chewing it just dosnt want to go down. i have lost 10 pounds. i got dehydrated and went to the hospital they did a CT scan and everything cam back normal except some narrowing below my tongue. i went to a GI she said it was too high for her to scope said i could always come back anyways. she told me to go to an ENT he looked and set me up for a barium swallow which isnt for two weeks so i have to suffer it out. Again i have no symptoms, i just cant simply swallow food and my spit. i am told it could be mental but life has gotten pretty good. i dont know what to do but i have been depressed. i am only 21 years old. was a smoker but stopped when everyting started. i just want help and answers and noone seems to know anything.
somebody let me know if you have been here or what i can do.
thanks

Replies(1)

mootard

replied on August 5th, 2009

New User

I've had this problem on and off for almost 10 years. I've tried therapy and drugs and nothing has helped. It has gone away for long periods but then returns for no reason that I can figure out. I think it has a lot to do with anxiety and stress and panic. But it doesn't help to know that. It just makes it more frustrating that it's all in my head. I've had every physical test done with no results. I do have a hiatal hernia and GERD though.
BTW: what happens to me is that every time I go to swallow, it's like my throat is not ready, my tongue pushes the food to the back of my throat by I can't swallow at that time. Sometimes I have to cough it out and then try again.

The only advice I can give is to eat slow, chew a lot, continue chewing right up to the swallow, drink lots of water while eating (sometimes this is the only way I can eat - wash it down with water). If you have no problems swallowing liquids, like me, this is the best way ive found to eat. Eventually you get used to it and forget that you have trouble swallowing.

Hang in there.

M

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