pain from pill stuck in throat

Last nite just before going to sleep I took a capsule with 25 drops of grapefruit seed extract. I have been taking the gse for about 2-3 weeks as it helps with chrinic constipation. When I popped the pill in my mouth I thought perhaps the capsule was cracked and/or broken but then just forgot about it. about 20 min later I started to feel very uncomfortable. Over the next hour things got progressively worse. I couldn't lie down cause the burning pain was so intense. I tried eating a bagel to absorb the gse which is very acidic but it didn't help. I tried wster but it seemed to increase the burning feeling. I ate a piece of apple thinking to send the pill and it's contents down to my stomach. Nothing worked. The pain just got worse. By 6 am I was trying to stay calm but exhausted and freaked out. At this point I tried forcing myself to vomit. Scary sounds came out but eventually I threw up. This helped relieve some pressure. I forced myself one more time about 30 min later & finally fell asleep. It is now the next afternoon and I feel this awful pressure in my throat. I tried eating plain rice but it felt like the pressure was increasing. Drinking water also increases the pressure. My question- will this pass? How long? Should I be going to emergency? I need advice please. I typed this on my phone so if I missed a typo please forgive.

Hi tonee,

Welcome to Healing Well!  Sorry to hear you're suffering.  It sounds like you irritated your esophagus with the capsule, then irritated it more in your attempt to clear things via vomiting.  Stomach acid coming up into your esophagus caused more damage to the already irritated tissue.

Please call your PCP's office and get an appointment or at least get some advice.  If this persists, it's a good idea to see a GI specialist, as he/she can see what's going on and provide you with help clearing things up.  There is a prescription drug--Carafate suspension--that coats the esophagus (and stomach) and helps protect it and can make it more comfortable.  You might want to ask about that.

In the meantime, be sure to eat only liquid or creamy foods, as anything (even rice) that has texture, can scratch and irritate things further.  I've had esophagitis (which is what you likely have) many times, and I found egg custard to be very comforting and nutritious during my recovery.  It's common to lose weight as your esophagus heals for obvious reasons.

Stay away from spices, acidic foods/beverages, and alcohol until things heal.

Good luck!

Denise