Help! Anxiety/swallowing issues

Hello there,
I am reporting my original post from the GERD forum here in the anxiety with hopes for some feedback :)I recently started reading some forums here on feeling well and it was nice to see the support members give to each other. I am a 27 year old usually healthy female. Over the last few months I've developed some dysphagia issues. I was put on Pepcid which didn't do much, then protonix, and now recently have been prescribed Prilosec 2 times a day. I had an upper GI done on 12/8 and everything can back normal. Still, I have continued to have trouble swallowing food. While I eat I am having to yawn or gasp,then after this I end up with a bloated stomach. I always feel like I'm chocking or can't swallow my food. At almost every meal I have to spit out my food when I get these feelings. I have had an ENT asses me as well as a barium swallow study. The ENT gave me prednisone and antibiotics for what was a sinus infection as well as a polyp in my sinus cavity. The barium study came back normal. The only issue I had was that when I was drinking the barium I tended to chew on this stuff and the radiologist didn't know if it was a nervous reaction or problems with mastication. My PCP and ENT believe there a high component of anxiety. I am so discouraged to the point where I don't like to eat, and I used to very much enjoy food. This has been going on since October and only seems to be getting worse. Everyone around me thinks it can be anxiety or stress, but I get scared and think it may be something more serious. I spend my days worrying about this, and thinking that maybe something's missing or it may be too late when they do find something wrong. my doctor offered anti anxiety meds but I prefer to see a therapist or so some yoga or mediation before resorting to this. My ENT is setting me up for a modified barium exam with a speech therapist in the coming weeks.If anyone has suggestions or has had similar experiences all is welcome! I just want some hope that I am healthy but it scares me that this issue continues. I have good days where I can eat normally but also days where I can eat very little. I'm losing a lot of weight. And I just need hope :) thanks!

Tina

Hi Tina. I'm going through this now. I am afraid eat, throat feels like food gets stuck

My ears hurt, nose and dr says anxiety, post nasal drip. I'm new to this...please keep me posted. Panic attacks I have many. The people on here seem kind, caring and supportive.


Suzanne

Hi Jennings. Thank you for being kind enough to tell me about yourself. I got very sick from bronchitis and then became dehydrated and lost all ability to eat, swallow drink. I get mucas in throat and it gets stuck and won't come up. Dr said I have tiny nose, nasal passages plus gerd ibs ....never ending. I think I'm afraid of choking, drowing in my own fluids....my mom died from lung cancer and watching her was horrible.

Tried many meds....no luck so far.
Klonopin 1mg 2x daily
Effexor xr 20 mg.....got horrible heart palpatations
Lexapro 15 mg rash, hives.

Hi Funny lady,
Thanks for your input I appreciate it. I have called to make an appointment with a therapist and hoping to talk to someone and that it will help. Sorry you have suffered through this as well, it is no fun! I'm a big foodie, and now eating is one of the things u least enjoy. But I am glad that your symptoms seemed to resolve! Hoping to reduce any anxiety and that this will get better soon! Thank you!!



Hi sunshine!
I am sorry you are feeling all of that :( when I saw my ENT he said my polyp was dripping mucus, no good! And I had that post nasal drop feeling all the time as well as sinus issues. Have you seen an ENT doctor? I have had anxiety attacks in the past and the feeling is horrible. I wish you luck!!

Hi Jennings,

It makes sense! Having anxiety about anxiety :/ the worse part is I start feeling short of breath and have to take big breaths during a meal and I completely lose my appetite. Idk if this is anxiety related or the fact that I can't breathe and eat at the same time.

Hi all. I appreciate the kind feed back. I have been to ent several times. Had scans Done. Today is worst then yesterday and want to rush to er. My throat burns, tongue, pain in ears. I am trying different gi meds for acid reflux, hernia and ibs. Had scope done in April while in hospital...small polyp, hernia, gerd but they did say my throat was raw. I have mucas that comes up throat but I can't cough it up. Taking expectorant, saline for nose, bp meds, anxiety meds. I have been on potassium supplements, vit d due to loss of both due to dehydration in April. I was on so much medication for bronchitis without pulmanologist seeing me I almost died. Prednisone...8 x in 7 months. I'm so afraid of it happening again. I have therapist who helps but other dr is so rushed when I see her that all she does is prescribe new antidepres to try but never listens. My gp is trying new medications and we are trying to find new dr. Had colonos done Oct one small poly but ibs, nervous stomach. He doesn't want to do another scope...am I just making all this up.