Problems swallowing food

Hi, I am going to the hospital on tuesday because of a problem I am having with my throat, whenever I swallow food it feels like it gets stuck in my throat and I can't breathe, its not going down the wrong way, it kind of feels like my throat is shrinking and the food takes ages to go down, this makes me retch and feel really sick, I choke a lot too. I have started having really bad back pain after eating, the tightness spreads across my chest and round my back, around my shoulder blades, it lasts for a couple of hours. I have the same problem with drinking, even with water,and when I drink it it normally comes right back up. I was wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar, and how on earth do I explain to my new flatmates at uni that if I leave the table suddenly its because I need to throw up, I don't want to freak anyone out, when I am eating with my friends they panic that I am going to pass out or something. Also I have been told I will have an xray where I swallow some liquid and they see where it goes, and I will also have a camera down my throat. Has anyone ever had these procedures before? Thanks a lot, sorry, this is far too long! anixx

Reply 1

bunnycatkid

OP

Hi again, I would really appreciate any comments on the above, I am getting really scared about going to uni because I don't want to start being sick in front of strangers. Has anyone had similar problems like I described above?
Thankyou

Reply 2

generalebriety

16

I haven't had the problem, no. Still, I'm sure they'd understand, as long as you didn't throw up all over them. If it comes down to it you may well just have to eat smaller pieces of food, or soup, or have a stent put in... not nice, but probably easier than throwing up all over the place. Until you get diagnosed, this is probably the best advice anyone can give you... your doctors will have dealt with this type of thing before, throat closure is a fairly common symptom of a lot of illnesses and afflictions.

Reply 3

Smile04

1

Sounds like it could be a swollen thyroid. Go and see your doctor

Reply 4

Berto90

11

Another doubtful possibility:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achalasia

Though that isn't usually characterized by it feeling stuck in the throat, so that's not probable. See your GP.

Reply 5

generalebriety

16

Smile04

Sounds like it could be a swollen thyroid. Go and see your doctor

Hi, I am going to the hospital on tuesday

Ahem.

Reply 6

generalebriety

16

Berto90

Another doubtful possibility:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achalasia

Though that isn't usually characterized by it feeling stuck in the throat, so that's not probable. See your GP.

Argh, what the hell is with people today. The OP is going to the hospital on Tuesday. They outlined the examination process in great detail. :confused:

Reply 7

Smile04

1

generalebriety

Ahem.

I thought I read that bit somewhere! But couldnt see it so I said that anyway

Reply 8

Berto90

11

generalebriety

Argh, what the hell is with people today. The OP is going to the hospital on Tuesday. They outlined the examination process in great detail. :confused:

And yet, the article is still useful as it mentions an X-ray with a barium swallow and an Endoscopy which the OP describes.

To the OP: I have had both previously. The barium is nothing to worry about at all, and while an Endoscopy is not pleasant, they may give you an anaesthetic for it.

Reply 9

generalebriety

16

Berto90

And yet, the article is still useful as it mentions an X-ray with a barium swallow and an Endoscopy which the OP describes.

I did mean the bit I put in bold. That's why I put it in bold.

Reply 10

Berto90

11

generalebriety

I did mean the bit I put in bold. That's why I put it in bold.

The last three words were more for the purpose of acknowledging that mine is not a professional opinion, which is required.

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

thanks for the article Berto90, I have been to the doctors loads and they all think I am suffering from anxiety or something which I know I am not! Also I am worried about the barium because as I am finding it really hard to swallow stuff I am not sure how that will turn out! although I would rather throw up on a doctor than my flatmates :wink:

Thanks a lot you guys, your comments were both useful and entertaining! And just for the record I am only going to the hospital because my mum isn't letting me go to uni until she knows what is wrong, so its kind of a big deal that I get sorted before friday! Eek

Reply 12

bunnycatkid

OP

for some reason I just posted that as anonymous, didnt mean to!

Problems swallowing food

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