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Posted 11/28/2014 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've been MIA for awhile. I hope everyone is doing well:) I've been so busy with my kids, my 5 year old has been sick, thanksgiving etc. anyways, I have pain in my spine in the middle of my back, it also hurts in the front in the same spot. I read that it's usually because of your ribs. Well the other day I was eating and I think I didn't chew my food completely and it felt like a piece got stuck, I drank some water, I wasn't choking or anything. It just felt weird. This was about a week ago. Then today it happened again, so I drank more water and kept eating. It freaked me out so bad then I was getting those horrible thoughts that it's esophageal cancer. Stupid me went on google and read one of the symptoms is feeling like you have food stuck in your throat. I don't have a sore throat, I'm not coughing, I just feel like there's something stuck in there. It's freaking me out. I need some advice. However, the good news is I have moved on from my brain tumor. On to a new disease.
Posted 11/28/2014 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
jf,

Hey there. smooth says relax.

First, I have an eating suggestion. Make sure you're chewing thoroughly. Try not to be distracted when chewing. It will also help if you drink something warm prior to eating to relax your throat. At absolute worst, if it sticks really badly, the hospital can dilate your esophagus quite easily I believe.

Google is the devil. I did it today. I'm just like you. If I have no worries, I create some!

Let's talk esophageal cancer. Do you have reflux? If so, are you medicated for it? Is it bad?

I have Barrett's esophagus. I Googled and freaked out. It is a precancerous condition, but a very small percentage becomes cancer. It's a hot debate in the gastrointestinal doctor community if Barrett's can reverse. I finally just let it go.

I think you're good.

John
Posted 11/28/2014 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John!

No I don't have reflux as far as I know. I don't get heartburn or indigestion, only when I was pregnant. This completely set me off today!!! Thanks for the reply.

Jill
Posted 11/28/2014 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jf, welcome back!

Have you always had a problem with chewing and swallowing? I hope it's not esophageal cancer. I don't think it is BUT I don't want to say it isn't because I'm not a professional. Maybe you could try coughing and see if it comes up? Lol. If you begin to have trouble breathing or any other symptoms I would get help though. I do the same thing, where I google things and get convinced I have something. I'm glad to hear you don't think you have a brain tumor now. I actually thought that once too. Anxiety is a pain.
I have to agree with John, maybe try chewing more thoroughly? Try to take some deep breaths. I'm not sure what time it is where you are but maybe watch some tv or a nice movie with your family, or take a short walk. Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do? I really hope you start feeling better.

Moose
Posted 11/28/2014 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Jill,

Don't make me Google it. I don't wanna upset myself. 😊

As many problems as I've had, I've never associated the stuck feeling with cancer. It's even better you're not a victim of reflux.

John
Posted 11/28/2014 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Google what?! Omg what's wrong with me
Posted 11/28/2014 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Jill,

Esophageal cancer.
Posted 11/28/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Rude.

I'm already freaking out
Posted 11/28/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jill,

I didn't mean to be rude. I was going to Google it to try to make you feel better at the risk of making myself feel worse, but I already spent a lot of time trying to make you feel better, so never mind.
Posted 11/28/2014 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was kidding. I knew you weren't being rude. :) I appreciate you trying to help me.
Posted 11/28/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Jill,

Tough to tell about kidding around here. Just saying.
Posted 11/29/2014 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys.;)

Yes...intent can be mistaken in the written word for sure...but I think we all understand that all responses here are postive and meant to be helpful....even if we occasionally  misunderstand each other.;)

JF.,

Globus is a really common anxiety issue.  In fact it was my first symptom!  It can present as either swallowing difficulty, or as a feeling of something stuck or obstrucing the throat.

I have read literally dozens of accounts of this here...and you can do a search if you'd like to read more.  Hit the Search icon in the above right toolbar and input key words: trouble swallowing, lump in the throat, globus/globus hystericus, cricopharyngeal spasm. (this last one often feared by many to be a cancer symptom...is actually caused by anxiety...cancer does not cause this as an early symptom...so rest assured!)

So, as you can see...you are not alone in this symptom or the fears that it is bringing up for you!

Try some relaxation coping techniques and you should start to feel some relief soon.:)

S.C.

Posted 11/29/2014 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SC!! Hope your doing well. Thanks for the tip. I never heard of that being a symptom of anxiety. I had myself convinced my food was caught on a tumor. Me and my over active imagination.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving:)

Jill
Posted 11/29/2014 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Ah JF, I know what you mean.
I have had countless "things" which got caught and stuck by a tumor anywhere in my body LOL
Thanks to my way of thinking.

If I used such imagination on other useful subjects, I would have invented millions of things xD hahah

Well yeah another issue, I would avoid mentioning about so many symptoms in posts, can be a good deal of trigger for so many people.
I hardly kept myself from googling esophagus cancer yesterday after reading this post xD omg, but I managed not to <3
Posted 11/29/2014 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
We are all cracking me up!! I say we...because I still have the occasional wild and horrifying thought sneaking around my brain as well!!

Rr...yes...if we put all of our creative imaginations together and used our powers for good...

...we could re-create all the master works in art, literature, dance, stage, film...ect!!! ;p ;p ;p

We would be unstoppable, lol!

Peace and progress to all!

S.C.
Posted Yesterday 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
JF my friend! So glad to hear from you (despite the circumstances)!

So hmm... You went from a brain tumor to esophagus cancer? A little progress (I think)! ; )

Everyone experiences the throat annoyances - "lump in the throat", scratchy throat, throat tickle, sore throat, and on and on. Try to give it some time, this will pass!

As people who suffer from health anxiety, we are so "in-tune" with our bodies. It is perfectly normal for our bodies to experience the typical "nicks and dings" but for someone who experiences HA, these feelings are magnified times ten and it scares the "bejesus" out of us! But once we learn this, it makes coping with this disorder a little more bearable.

Keep us updated and don't be a stranger!

Hugs to you!

Cornell
Posted Yesterday 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have this problem for years. For me works very well taking a complete medical examination and see if there is anything real to worry about. I never search for symptoms online because 99% of the time I will think I have something much much worse than in reality.

I just go to the doctor and based on the results of the medical examination he will tell me if there is something I should worry about or not. Usually it is nothing to be concerned about and I get instant relief of my anxiety. Don't make unreal assumptions because you are not a doctor and going online is not the best way for searching information so you can diagnose yourself.
Posted Yesterday 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Cornell!! You always help. You should be proud of me, I've moved down from my head into the next organ, I'll probably move down to my stomache soon then legs then back up! Lol. So how are you feeling? Any better?

Daniel- thank you :) I really need to stop googling, I've been banned by everyone. But clearly the more someone says not to do it I just can't help myself. Then this happens. I loooove to diagnose myself with all kinds of terminal catastrophes!!


Jill
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