I can't swallow :(

Hey all, completely new to this and quite scared if I'm being honest. I'm also from the UK, I hope that's OK? My apologies if not.

A bit of background...

I've had a feeling of food getting stuck right behind my Adam's apple for a few weeks. Oddly enough it only seemed to happen with small pieces, larger pieces seem to go down fine and it only happened a couple of times a week, a quick gulp of water cleared it right away so I never really gave it a second thought. I'm 37 and never suffered anything like this before.

Then week ago Sunday I began to notice more was getting stuck (a had a Jelly Baby stuck for about an hour - man that WAS annoying!), big, small, and every time I swallow now. Liquid, however, was still fine and I could actually swallow, yes food was getting stuck, but I could chew and swallow without thinking about it.

I was getting quite concerned at this point so I called the Docs on Thursday just gone, who told me to monitor it and if it's no better to call back the beginning of this week.

Now to my current issue.

I was drinking some water last night and my throat just closed up, I coughed and spluttered and spat it all out. I just couldn't swallow it, at all. I then started to panic, pacing the room, fighting for breath, pins and needles all over, I was very scared. Scared enough in fact to get my girlfriend to take me to A&E.

They confirmed it sounded like I'd had a panic attack, did blood tests, an ECG and a throat soft tissue x-ray and all came back normal but I'm now scared of swallowing anything, including water. Whenever I do my throat just closes like it really doesn't want to swallow and I think I'm going to choke unless I spit it out. For example I bought a protein shake today and it took me over an hour to "drink" it, it was only 200ml, that's really all I can put in my mouth and not feel like I might choke if I swallow.

I'm also still getting a very light headed feeling and feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen - smaller panic attacks I assume, but the one last night was a humdinger - scared doesn't come close, I thought I was a gonna!

I called the Drs this morning and I've got an appointment to see him tomorrow but I'll be honest I'm scared this feeling will be with me for good and I'll never be able to eat normally again.

Any advice please?

Yours quite afraid...

I constantly feel the same way. I feel like it's the more carby foods like bread, croutons, nachos, doritos, food like that, that feel like they get stuck. And as far as the throat tightness, ALWAYS! It feels like the skin on my throat is so tight its squeezing my throat and I cant swallow. Anxiety can come about at ANY time with or without our control, im 26 and have been dealing since I was 15. Its getting old and not the way I want to live, something has got to give!!!

Not eating or staying hydrated will tend to increase anxiety. Feeling like your throat is closing up or a limp in it is a common symptom of anxiety. Since you've gone to the doctor and had an xray, and have also noticed it calms down when you focus on deep breaths and relaxing I would say anxiety is the most likely culprit in your case.

Try deep breathing exercises and monitor your thoughts, steer yourself away when you get caught up in a negative "what if" thought pattern. Try to distract yourself by reading or watching a funny movie and try to have a glass of water while your mind is relaxed and distracted. You WILL get through this!!!! Keep us posted.

Hi all.:)

As you can see, you are not alone with this issue. It is a fairly common anxiety symptom that can trigger panic, thus exacerbating the original issue.

In our Resources here on our main page (1st post) you will find good self-help calming techniques which will help your mind and body to relax, easing your symptoms.

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

It is good to get checked out medically however, so do keep your appointment. If all is found to be well, then you can certainly be assured that focusing on treating the anxiety is the best way to proceed.

The breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises will be a good thing to practice everyday for relief.

Wishing you the best, as well as encouragement to keep posting here for support.

Let us know how your appointment goes Nexususus.:)

Scaredy Cat

Let us know what you find out, and what you do for your plan to proceed.

I am worried about you not eating! I hope that you can continue to try and at least get down more of those protein shakes...that will provide you with some needed nutrients.

S.C.

Okay, hang it there and let us know how you are when you can.

Thougths and prayers.:)

S.C.

Still too afraid to eat anything solid but just eat a soup without much difficulty, water also going down well.

GP can't see me till next Wednesday, so I'll soldier on!

Lost quite a few pounds in weight tho, feel really exhausted... :(

Hi scaredy cat, no I've got the meds for the acid today but the anxiety when I put any food or liquid into my mouth, even water remains. I just think I may choke if I swallow anything and often end up spitting the water out and have to take a few deep breaths before trying again.

I've not eaten solid foods since Monday, just soups and those protein shake things.

I've lost a lot of weight and have no energy at all.

I do keep sipping water tho.

No further panic attacks but definite anxiety.

Silly as it sounds it's almost like I've forgotten how to swallow and just constantly think it's going to go wrong.

When I do swallow I can actually swallow fine, its initiating the swallow that's the problem. There's is no pain as such just a feeling of dread when I put anything in my mouth.

When I do manage to swallow there's no issue. I know its all in my head but my brain isn't listening lol

Yay!

Sorry if I'm boring anyone by the way, it just makes me feel better to discuss my progress (or lack of).

:)

Thanks Kitt :)

I forgot to ask the Dr actually, does food actually get stuck or does it just feel like it is?

My main concern at the moment is that I'm nervous even putting food or liquid (even water) into my mouth, not just swallowing.

I can swallow water fine but I start breathing heavy when even thinking about drinking water, which I assume is anxiety :(

Sounds like you at least ate and drank more today than you have in awhile, and that is great!!

Try not to let the setback get you down, and concentrate on the positives...you now know what you are dealing with. You know that it is merely uncomfortable, not dangerous...and you are on your way to getting better with treatment.

Have you tried any of the relaxation exercises? They could help you to get past the mental block part of swallowing.

...and one more tip...have you tried drinking through a straw? It may help.:)

S.C.