Feeling like something is stuck in my throat

Hi Jammin,
Welcome to HW. Did you go into the doctor's office with the complaint of feeling like something stuck in your throat? This is one of the symptoms of GERD however there could be other things that could be causing that symptom as well. This symptom usually triggers doctors to run tests to rule out anything else. I would definitely bring this up. What kind of medication are you on? Are you on a PPI? The medication should help the inflammation and swelling in your esophagus by shutting down your acid pumps however you may have to try another one. I was on Nexium but had to change to Prevacid because #1 Nexium did not relieve my GERD symptoms and #2 Nexium gave me horrible side effects. Prevacid was (and is) the right med for me.

Jammin,
I have had GERD for years and have had the feeling of something stuck in my throat from time to time. I took Zantac, off and on. Finally, I saw a GI dr. in May because of some other problems I was having and he ordered an upper endoscopy. I was so SCARED!!! It turned out to be no big deal, I "slept" through it and don't remember it. Anyway, the GI dr. prescribed Omeprazole (Prilosec) and to start with I took it once a day. I didn't feel like it was working (even felt like the Zantac I took OTC worked better for me) so he increased it to 2 times a day. I gave that a shot, but I still didn't feel like it was working for me. So, today I picked up a prescription for Protonix. I'm going to give this a try! The moral of the story is to get back in touch with a dr. and let him know about your symptoms. There are other PPIs out there and hopefully you will find one that works for you!

Hi I am new to this forum . I reading these postings I totally agree with Dr. Norm's opinion of the carb theory and acid reflux. I do know that acid reflux or GERD is aggravated by pastries and breads or high fat or fried and sugary foods. Breads and or flour based foods are highly acidic and high in carbs, so when your upper GI system is over acidic then BAM!!! you get over production of hydrochloric acid from your tiny proton pumps in your stomach! Also it is highly probable that your LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is relaxed and not closing all the way which can allow the gastric acid to reflux back into the esophagus. I would estimate that about 85-90% of people with GERD or acid reflux have Hiatal Hernias which can causes a myriad of symptomatic problems including: tightness in the chest or sternum area, feeling like there is a lump in the throat , burning in the back of the throat, lump in the chest under the sternum, and those are the mild symptoms. The worst symptoms can be vaso-vagal responses that can cause pvc's or pac's (premature ventricular contractions, premature arterial contractions) and other arrhythmias in the heart (which you should be seen immediately by a doctor if you experience these symptoms) that are triggered by irritation to the vagal nerve (10th cranial nerve) that runs from the scull down the side of the esophagus all the way down past the stomach and can be irritated by over acidity from the aforementioned foods. This over stimulation of the vagal nerve is a result of the erosion in the esophagus and or pressure on the nerve from a full stomach and twisting or protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm due to a hiatal hernia or a problem with LES not closing properly which over a period of time allow the natural hydrochloric acid in your stomach to erode the thin lining in the esophagus exposing the vagal nerve and other various symptoms, the list goes on!.

Hi,
Just a note on the feeling of food getting stuck in the esophagus. I agree with the advice to get it checked further by your doctor. If you want to read more on this, the phenomenon is called dysphagia and can indicate esophageal damage. One cause of dysphagia is stricture, a narrowing of the esophagus due to scarring (typically from continued reflux).

Dr Norm

Hi,

I also have had this problem on and off for a few years. I was first seen by my ENT, and he numbed my throat and put a scope down and said it was definitely acid reflux. Then I had the swallow test with barium, and was told that my reflux was really severe... yeah, I already knew that. More good news, as we get older, they told me, food tends to get stuck more easily, and that appeared to be happening with me, especially with pills. I was put on a combination of Reglan and Prevacid 2x a day for quite a while, and I got better for a good while. Now it's back with a vengeance! My primary doc put me back on the combination, but this time the Reglan is causing diarreah, which I didn't have last time. So... now I am supposed to cut back on the Reglan. In addition to the reflux, I've had pain and nausea, so they tested me last week for gallbladder disease, but I don't know the results of that yet.

Oh, by the way, my reflux started 24 years ago after the birth of my son. Tests done at the time showed the muscle between my esophagus and stomach was pretty much destroyed, and they weren't kidding that it would get worse as I got older. (I just wanted to mention that in my case the mind-body connection is probably not the cause).

*Hugs* to all,

Bear

Sillylilly thanks so much...I looked at that article ..and WOW it does sound like it ...cannot believe it ..however, the only thing i have read after now looking deeper into this is that LPR usually affects during the day where as GERD is a night time thing ?

Am I understanding that correctly ...because though I have mine on and off at different periords during the day , sometimes constant, sometimes I think its gone...but , nites are usually always worse ...
however I dont have the "lower" burning or pain that comes with gerd...also, I have had neck pain for almost as long ...now, I am really wondering that this is what it has been from all along ?? ?

HOw do I get a doctor to believe me ???

Since I have crohns you would think that a gastro would be the best one ..however, I can barely get to see him .. hes not the best doc...but the only one I can have right now ... so I pretty much am treating myself ... once he got things under control that is : )

so, I have a appt with a primary care doc next week ... I dont know how knowledgable he is either ...lets just say I have not had any success with doctors in this town ..and thanks to my insurance I am stuck here with just these docs or I pay big time !
it really stinks ...so I have learned to trust God and use the wisdom He gives me at times ...
I am so thankful for the wisdom others here on this site have as well, because many of my answers and understanding come from here ...if only the docs knew and would listen to you all as well !
You've been a great help ! Im going to try the elevating torso thing tonight ...sure would like it to help !

Hi misterie,

Just a thought on your doctor situation... Some folks have said they have better luck with an ENT than a gastro for diagnosing and treating LRP. I don't know if you could get a referral from your primary care doc, but it might be worth asking.

Good luck,
WDC

Tangerine Bear,

Clostridium difficile is a normally occurring bacteria in your intestines that shows an overgrowth when your other bacteria are destroyed by an antibiotic. You need a stool sample, and sometimes several, to get a diagnosis. You have diarrhea that is light colored and frequent - you feel lucky to get out of the house.

Hope you don't have it.

Misterie....sorry to hear that you have Crohn's also along with GI symptoms and everything else. My husband has Crohn's so I do know what you're going through. A good doc makes all the difference.

Let us know if elevating your torso works and also sleep on your left side...if there is any acid coming up, this position puts your stomach lower than your esophagus and hopefully gravity will keep it down.

Blessings,
Sillylilly

about 8 years ago I had the same feeling of food always being stuck in my throat as well as having chest pains after eating. I went through many different test and ended up having surgery called "Nissen Fundoplication" (stomach wrap). The feeling I was having was due to refux and the fact I was born with no valve at the top of my stomach. The surgeon created one during this procedure and after that I had a normal life. That is until about 2 weeks ago when once again I started having similar symptons. I have an appointment on May 9th to once again get re-evaluated and see what is happening. The surgery (if you should need it) was relatively painless. The only issue I had was getting the muscles in my abdomen to stretch out again after being cut and then reattached. If I have to have the same surgery again to repair the issue again, I won't give it a second thought. Do it! I had previously live 40+ years not realizing that it was NOT normal to have food come back into your mouth when you burped and I had no idea that when you laid down after drinking something that it wasn't supposed to trickle back into your mouth. Take heart all that suffer any similiar issues as modern medicine today can do wonderous things.

I am wondering how to live w/ the feeling of something always in the back of the throat.  I have done meds, barium,ct scan endo scope,blood work,   diagnosed w/ gerd,  meds gave me a permanent abdomin ache.  Dr.'s cannot find anything wrong.  every time I go to the Dr.s  doesn't matter which one, specialists of regular, end up feeling like they think i'm crazy. I just want to know how to feel ok.  this has been going on for a year now. i have gained 15lbs. even with diet and excercise. oh,i also have constant mucas and clear  throat all the time.  any one have suggestions?