Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum - Difficulty Swallowing -- Doctors Can't Find Anything


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Datura

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Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 1

Difficulty Swallowing -- Doctors Can't Find Anything Posted: 05-19-05 13:44pm


I've been having difficulty swallowing for the past 4-5 months. I have taken two barium swallow tests and one cookie swallow. The results showed nothing. I also went to an ear, nose and throat specialist and he viewed my throat with a scope...Still nothing. My symptoms have worsened in the past week. Before, I would have difficulty mainly swallowing bread. Now it's just about everything -- even liquid. I'm beginning to worry because it's causing me to not want to eat, and subsequently pounds are dropping off (which I don't need to lose). Does anyone have an idea as to what it could be? Anyone else have a similar circumstance?

debrabandere

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Joined: 22 May 2005
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Posted: 05-22-05 11:35am


Have you had a scan ? Maybe the problem is related to the nerve controling swallowing?

cutiepie4u318

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Joined: 10 Jun 2005
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Location: home

Hellppppp Posted: 06-10-05 21:39pm


I've had the same problem....I go for a endoscopy next week....I cant swallow ne solids though....And it's getting worst....My mom thinks it's gerd, but i'm taking prevacid and it's not helping so y can't I swallow and it's not i'm too scared....

Jules67

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Joined: 31 Aug 2005
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Location: UK

Posted: 08-31-05 12:17pm


My mum has this, she cant swallow dry bread, docs said it was arthritis in the neck area, weird I know. :shock:

schel

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Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 6
Location: stonigtion

Posted: 09-09-05 13:29pm


Hi keep going to the drs if you dont feel right then you need answers n ent im sure u saw have a scope done it could be anxity but demand answers

babycat03

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Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 21
Location: michigan

Posted: 09-10-05 14:47pm


Hi I am new to this forum, but I also have trouble with my throat tightening up and all the time I have trouble swallowing been rushed to the hospital a few times cause of food stuck. They told me I have acid reflux and have dilated my throat at least 3 times, but the last 2 times I went in to get the scope the Dr. I had to change to because of insurance said that it didnt look like it needed to be dilated and didnt do it, I am still having touble swallowing and the tightness where I cant move without cutting my oxygen off. I am scared to death of this. This last time just yesterday I went and had the scope again and he once again didnt dilate it and then he said I had some strange lumps in my stomache and he took biopsy's of them and I am waiting to see what that is about. But I still cant swallow food, I have to drink pop or water to get it down, but I am not losing weight I gain weight. I dont understand cause I dont eat that much. Also, he told my husband that I should change to other Dr. And have some pressure test done? Does anyone know what that is? He didnt explain it and my husband said the Dr. Seemed in a hurry and said that I needed to find a new Dr. Cause he is retiring. So now I dont know what to think? Anyone know? Please email me : babyc at03@peoplepc.Com thanks lisa

stephensp3

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Joined: 18 Oct 2005
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No Answers, Just Have Questions... Posted: 10-18-05 20:16pm


I have been to many different docotrs with different specialties to no avail. I have been to my general doctor, in which it was thought that I have sinus infections (aparently 9 in 9 months), my allergist says that I don't have allergies, but put me on two diferent nasal sprays (nasacort and astilin)and to my ent, wich has yet to look at my throat, but I have had a cat scan on my sinuses. None of this is helping me. I notice that when I eat at work (i am a school teacher) that I cannot swallow and chew my food so much (even tomato soup!). I feel like someone is strangling me. I have been diagnosed by my allergist and my general practioner with vcd, or vocal chord dysfunction, but no treatment options were given. The tightness in my throat does get worse during times of stress (taking care of 150 sixth grade children :lol: ) and when I look in the mirror lol. Just wondering if any of you have passed out with this tightness before...I did about 5 months ago, and it scared my kids and my husband to death. I just couldn't get my breath at all. Let me know if any of you have had similar problems....

purple1

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Joined: 02 Nov 2005
Posts: 6

Trouble Swallowing Posted: 11-05-05 01:02am


I have the same thing. It feels as if there is something in my throat but there is nothing there. I had this about 5 years ago and my doctor said it could be globus hystericus, which could be brought on by stress or acid reflux. I took prevacid for awhile and eventually it went away. It's back again and I suspect it's the same thing, but i'm going to see a doc. To be sure. Good luck!

cookies11

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Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 1
Location: scotland

Feeling of Lump In Throat Posted: 02-03-06 11:35am


I dont if this will help anyone but I have something called globus and as other people have said it is acid reflux or stress related and it is gullet spasms that have caused it. I went to an ent specialist and he prescribed some kind of antacids (don't ask what they are a huge name). They were helpin for about a week and now it is back again. I don't know about anyone else this is not sore but it is all I can think about all day and I think it causes more stress!!

walter rivera

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Joined: 21 Mar 2006
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Location: New Jersey

Tightness In My Throat And Tongue Posted: 03-21-06 15:41pm


It started about a month an a half ago on a trip to texas from new jersey. While we were taking off about 5,000 feet in the air I felt my mouth dry and could not swallow. The flight attendant though I was having an allergy reaction to something so they gave me oxygen and benadryl. When I got to texas they though the samething so they gave me a pill treatment for a week but the following day the symptoms came back so I went back to the er. The doctor drew some blood and took urine especiment, put a scope down my throat and couldn't find anything so his diagnosis was viral pharyngitis. Came back that friday with the same symptoms to new jersey. The following tuesday went to my Dr. And he prescribed antibiotics. Thursday more antibiotic. Then he referred me to an otoryngology and they put a camera again with no findings. She prescribed pepcid ac. Also she refers me to the alergist and I am allergic to the regular stuff but nothing to triger this. A month and 3 weeks later im still having the symptoms. Sometime in the middle of the night I wake up gasping for air and most of the time can't swallow and my tongue feels like is twice the size with some pain on it. Anybody can give me guidance as what can I do? Thanks

puzzled swallower

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Joined: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 1

Difficulty Swallowing Posted: 11-13-06 06:40am


A few years ago - in los angeles - I ordered a turkey breast sandwich on white bread and after one or two mouthfuls thought I was going to choke. With difficulty I bought a bottle of water and washed the stuck food down - it felt like I was swallowing a whale. The food was well masticated but I thought it was because it was dry that my difficulty in swallowing arose. That was four years ago - I am now 60 years old and find that certain foods at certain times trigger the same reaction. It sure has curbed my appetite - and I know the immediate problem can be solved by hard swallowing of copious quantities of innocuous cool fluids like water or low fat milk or ice tea will wash the blockage down. It is always an extremely uncomfortable experience. It's terrifying - as the postings attest. I don't suffer the problem with anything other than foods consumed with white bread - which makes me think I may have a wheat/gluten allergy. Oddly, I don't get it with pasta (a wet food) nor protein foods. I do have acid reflux and avoid foods which predictably trigger the condition. The puzzle is that some white breads are ok. Pita, wholewheat and wholemeal breads are fine.

beagleheadfred

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Joined: 26 Aug 2007
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21 Years of Swallowing Problems Getting Worse! Posted: 08-29-07 01:39am


It came out of nowhere in summer of 1986.I was at work on my lunch sitting in my new truck with windows open,listening to music on my tape deck and happy. After I finished I felt a 'snap' that seemd to come from my throat and head at the same time,it was loud enough to startle me.A few seconds later I realized I was having trouble swallowing my pop and my throat became very tense on the left side.I was scared.I went back to work for almost an hour but it became tighter so left to go to my doctor who sent me right away to an ENT Specialist.He told me I was fine and needed my tonsills out.Being a chicken I opted for antibiotics but over 2 years I kept getting infections.I ended up bedridden for 2 weeks with a temp of 104 degrees.So I returned to ENT doc and he said tonsills MUST come out within days.They booked me in and I was terrified but it all went well.I started healing right away,I was about 25 so was pretty healthy. Days later I realized the tension and difficulty swallowing was gone!.I was elated to say the least,I was so optimistic about life!!.A week later I was at a friend's home and had a few sips of Kahlua and 'wham' the tension and swallowing prob instantly returned!.WHY""?.I was so down..It has stayed ever since and has not eased off even for a second.I live with this 24 hours a day. It gets tighter every few months.After living with this for 7 years my doctor prescribed Ativan pills,which calmed and helped me sleep.Years passed and I found I was forgetting things,so he put me on Clonazepam a similar type of medication but doesn't affect memory.Both helped me to relax somewhat,but now my problem is worse.It is so tight within my throat even when I'm totally calm that I can barely swallow.I never thought it would get to the stage where I can barely eat anything.That time is now upon me and I'm losing weight.I live in constant fear of choking on anything,even my Pariet antacid or Claritin pills which are small. It's a mystery and now causes me more anxiety than it ever has!. Note- last year I started spitting up soft white granule like bits.Went to doc to get them analyzed and he could not tell me what it was!! I don't think I can continue livng in fear much longer! Any ideas most welcome thanks for reading.

lucass

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Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1

Re: Difficulty Swallowing -- Doctors Can't Find Anything
Posted: 12-04-07 01:50am

Datura wrote:

I've been having difficulty swallowing for the past 4-5 months. I have taken two barium swallow tests and one cookie swallow. The results showed nothing. I also went to an ear, nose and throat specialist and he viewed my throat with a scope...Still nothing.

My symptoms have worsened in the past week. Before, I would have difficulty mainly swallowing bread. Now it's just about everything -- even liquid. I'm beginning to worry because it's causing me to not want to eat, and subsequently pounds are dropping off (which I don't need to lose).

Does anyone have an idea as to what it could be? Anyone else have a similar circumstance?

I have this same problem. Ive taken all of these same tests and they say they dont see anything and its ridiculous cuz something is wrong to make me not be able to swollow.
Ive always had throat problems my entire life and everytime i get sick i always get a sore throat. i havent had a flew with just a fever and throwing up for probably 15 years and im only 19. im always just having sore throats.. i dont know what to do.

HAS ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM FOUND A CURE OR WHAT IT IS???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????

itinkso

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Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 1

hypothyroidism Posted: 04-09-08 17:31pm


when a damaged or under-active thyroid swells, resulting from an attempt to produce enough t3 and t4 hormones to keep up with pituitary commands (ths), this can cause great difficulty swallowing.

Luisito

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Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Central America

Posted: 04-22-08 12:09pm


IMHO, this kind of problems are due mostly by anxiety issues. The muscles of the throat are very strong and in a stress situation these muscles can become very tightened.