HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Real or just a sensation?

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/24/2013 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I've got another thread in the anxiety section ( https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2912620 ) but I feel this question is best posted here.

I have GORD (or GERD for you across the pond!) and everytime I swallow *anything*, even jelly (jello) and soup, I feel like it's sticking in my throat. Surely soup can't stick?

My question is: Is this feeling real as in food is actually sticking in my throat, or just a sensation of this?

I'm asking as when I eat soup, for example, I'm very paranoid about the "blockage" backing up and if I know for certain it's not actually stuck and it's just a feeling, I'll be a lot more relaxed.

I hope that all made sense.

Thank you

Post Edited (Nexususus) : 11/24/2013 11:13:31 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/24/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think soup can stick unless there are chunks or it's gritty. Maybe not just a sensation. Can you get any food down, maybe with a drink to follow each bite?

Can you get a barium swallow test to see if you are having esophageal spasms?
Posted 11/25/2013 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
I can get all foods down to be fair, it just feels like I have a lump in my throat whenever I swallow. I don't think it's the actual food as the lump seems to be the same size regardless of the morsel swallowed but I'm still afraid to swallow solid food in case it is really sticking in the back of my throat.

I've had the tests done and it's acid reflux damage I have but I forgot to ask if anything is really sticking or if it just feels like it is.

I'd feel much better if I knew it's just a sensation.
Posted 11/25/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nexususus,

There is a condition that is caused by GERD that can cause swallowing problems.  It's called Benign Esophageal Stricture.  Here is an informational link to a website that should give you some good information. 

http://www.healthline.com/health/esophageal-stricture-benign

I certainly don't know if this is what's going on, but it certainly fits your description.  If you haven't already, I suggest you see your PCP or GI doctor about your problem. Good luck!  I hope you feel better soon!

Best wishes,

Denise 

Posted 11/25/2013 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've had the camera up the nose and the Dr immediately, and very confidently, said it was reflux damage.

I was given Pantoprazole and Gaviscon Advance and told I should start seeing improvements in about 10 days. There was no mention of a stricture or further complications.

I can actually swallow anything without pain, it's just the feeling of "sticking" that's bothering me. In fact larger morsels (when I dare!) go down without "sticking", which leads me to believe it's just a sensation and nothing is actually sticking. For example, drinking milk gives the exact same sensation as a small chunk of bread. A large chunk goes down without issue, but do to my anxiety it's very rare I have the courage to swallow large pieces of anything...

Maybe I'm just odd :D

Post Edited (Nexususus) : 11/25/2013 4:34:27 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/27/2013 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
I've posted this in my anxiety thread to, but maybe best here?


Just got back from Docs and kinda confused, although happy as he answered all my questions.

I'm currently on Pantoprazole 20mg twice a day, as given to me at the hospital, but doc has prescribed me 40mg for once a day as he says that'll be better. Wouldn't twice a day be more effective instead of once in the morning?

He did answer my questions about choking though, so my mind is much more at ease about that. He basically confirmed that once you swallow, even if it gets stuck, there's no way you can choke as it's already below your windpipe already and there's no way it can come back up, which was my main fear. On that note he also said that nothing is actually not getting stuck anyway, it's just the feeling it is as my food pipe is so sore and inflamed due to the acid.

Bit more relaxed now, but I doubt the anxiety will go away just yet :)

On that note, I've got a further appointment for some anxiety counselling on Monday.

Mood: reasonably content...
Posted 11/27/2013 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nexususus,

I'm glad to hear that your worries have been relieved.  That's what I figured was going on.  It will take some time on the Pantoprazole before you start noticing improvement, but PPIs are very good at healing an inflamed esophagus, so you should start feeling better after a few weeks.

It's very common to take a 40mg dose once a day.  It has been created to last a full 24 hours.  That said, some people need a second 40mg dose in order to cover that entire time.  Others supplement with Ranitidine (Zantac).  Most people do well with one, though.

It is very important that you take the PPI properly.  I discovered this great resource that tells you how it works and how to take it.  PPIs need to be taken an hour before eating, and don't work as well if not followed by a high-protein meal.

Here's the link to the PPI information:

http://www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/January07/Jan07FrankArticle.pdf

Since anxiety can definitely increase GERD/reflux symptoms, it's a great idea that you're being proactive and getting help right away!  Good job of taking care of your self!

Best wishes,

Denise

 

Posted 11/27/2013 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise, it takes a lot to get me down to be fair, gotta keep going!
Posted 11/27/2013 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Great attitude! Keep it going!
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Posted 11/28/2013 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Not a bad today all told.

Drinking water pretty much normal now, milk as normal. Seems thicker the liquid the better, so happy about that.

However (there's always one!) I'm really not convinced nothings actually getting stuck as I can feel it, well, sticking, and when I drink I can feel it going down. Happens more with small bits (like the small pieces of chicken in chicken soup today for example).

Doc says it's just a sensation, a feeling, but I'm not so sure, it really feels like if I breathe in through my mouth it'll go straight down my windpipe, and this makes me anxious whilst eating...
Posted Yesterday 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
We have the same experience. Been diagnosed with GERD for more than a month now. Sometimes that something being stuck in your throat feeling disappears. I am keeping a log on my food intake but since I am new to this, I still havent figured out what works for me.

Also, my meds may not be working for me. I was told by another member that she/he tried other PPIs until she/he found one that works. I will discuss this with my doctor asap.

As to the anxiety, sure it does makes you anxious. I had a very restless night last night because of that something being stuck in your throat feeling. I had a massage, i already meditated, nothing worked that i had to take 10mg Iterax to lull me to sleep. It was almost 2am already.

I dont know when this feeling would go away. Maybe what we can do for now is find ways on how to manage it. Like not letting this feeling ruin our life because it has started to ruin mine already. There are nights when I want to cry. Its more hard if you are living alone.
Posted 12/1/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
I have terrible anxiety but I also get that sensation constantly. I'm on prilosec 20mg once a day for gastritis but always feels like there's some thing stuck in my throat and food gets stuck. Especially croutons. I love them but i thought I was choking many different times on them so I can't really eat them anymore. I know it has ton do with a combination of anxiety wIth my throat feeling tight and indigestion. I had a camera in my nose to my esophagus and they said it was a little irritated.I take a lot of excedrin (aspirin) for Headaches drink a lot of diet pop and am very stressed. Other than that I am very Healthy don't smoke or drink and I'm at a healthy weight so hopefully its just anxiety. But you definitely are not alone this is a VERY uncomfortable feeling I wish you the best of luck!
Posted 12/2/2013 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
Lacey, i think anything that has aspirin would just aggravate the feeling.  I had a terrible headache last night and just took paracetamol for it.

Had another restless night. Friday night and saturday night were okay - no iterax or xanor but last night was different.  It was alrealy 4am that i had to reach out and took iterax 10 mg.  I cannot afford not to get some sleep as i need to be up for work monday morning.

This has been going on for more than a month now - the something being stuck in the throat feeling.  Very bothersome at night even if i have already a wedge pillow.

Its almost Christmas, so sad since this lethargic feeling is ruining my mood always :(

We can get through this!

Pie

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply