Hi there!

I have been suffering with, what I believe to be esophageal stricture, for the past 3 or so years. I have a terrible time swallowing food and it almost always gets lodged in my esophagus. So bad sometimes its to the point that it wont go down OR come back up. I have to drink after every bite to wash it down (but not pop, anything remotely fizzy acts like drain-o and causes severe pain).

I had an severe 'episode' at my husbands xmas party this past weekend. My food got so stuck that I had to sneak off to a friends room and try to either throw it back up or swallow it down. After trying for nearly 20 minutes to get it down I decided to try to bring it back up instead. But all that would come up was mouthfuls of mucousy stuff (I assume it was lots of saliva from the major swallowing I do). It was impossible to get anything other than that mucousy stuff and some fine food (sorry for the graphics)by the clump in my throat.

Finally a piece of meat dislodged. And it wasnt large at all. I make sure to cut my food VERY small and chew VERY well becuase this happens so often. I was sweaty from the panic and the pain. I can breathe through these episodes but I start to get very panicky. My husband nearly took me to the ER.

I have seen a doctor about this a few times. He had the nerve to ask me how I know something is stuck! I was like "well I can feel it!" (duh!) He ordered an upper GI to check for stricture (I thought), and that came back saying I have reflux, which we already know.

He put me on Pantoloc, which has given me horrible heartburn. He said that even though they didnt check for a stricture that if there would have been one they would have seen it.

He thinks 'maybe' that the reflux causes my esophagus to contract because its so inflamed/eroded. But I know when I have reflux (mouth fills up with it) and its NEVER even near the time time that this happens. My reflux usually happens at night.

What can I do about this? See another doc? Im scared to get the same 'its in your head and its not really THAT bad' feeling that the other doc gave me.

Im just really scared that one day I wont be able to breathe all the way through this. this happens almost daily, and sometimes at every meal. Even liquids sometimes hurt going down.

Im at my wits end. Im 27, female, otherwise pretty healthy (some health probs but nothing related to this).

Help! Anyone suffer like this?????

Oh yes. I could have written this post. I am dealing with the exact same thing and have been since since Jan. 2003. Mine started with chest pain upon swallowing , though the food did go down ,there was just horrible chest pain. The Dr gave me Aciphex. It did nothing. I had a barrium swallow and the dr doing it said there was a large mass or ulceration. I was sent 40 miles away to have an endoscopy. It showed nothing . Sill I had all this pain upon swallowing. I tried every other PPI available . Finally it got so bad that food would literally hang up in my throat just like yours does. I have had that for 2 mos. I cannot eat solid food at all. It hangs up and won't go up or down. I finally have to try to throw it up and I too have lots of frothy saliva to come up . And eventually the offending food is thrown up or goes down. It scares me too as I don't know when it will cut off my breathing or just not come up or go down. I eat nothing solid now. I live on yogurt and pudding and lots of water. After the manometry I went for a routine colonoscopy and found that I have Stage 111 colon cancer . This was totally unexpected . I had that major surgery on 11/4 and am seeing the chemo Dr tomorrow . Anyway I called for the results of the manometry on my esophagus and I have something called Nutcracker Esophagus. They are supposed to be calling me back with an appointment with the Gastroentologist. Anyway your symptoms are exacly like mine and finally I am diagnosed though not treated yet for Nutcracker Esophagus.I'll keep you posted. Good luck to you . Lia

Its sure frusterating to not know what it is - but what you have sounds VERY similar. Is this a very common condition??

I also have pain on the left side of my neck, almost like a chest pain, alot. Kinda like an indigestion feeling.

Ive suffered with IBS for years as well - is it possible that its related???

Look forward to your replies!

You are the very first person I have ever heard describe this condition exactly like mine. I suppose it is not very common. I do have some news today but it is very discouraging . I don't want to scare you , but I was at the chemo dr today for my colon cancer and I asked if there was any way that I could see the Gastroentologist as my throat was getting worse and worse. They worked me in and even did an endoscopy and find that now I have esophageal cancer. Now this is after seeing drs for 11 mos. for this condition and taking all the PPI's and having all the tests. I am totally freaked out of course. If you are getting worse go back to the Gastro Dr and ask for another endoscopy. Lia

Oh I am so sorry about your bad news....:( That is horrible... How will you be treated now?

I will see if I can get in soon and get checked out.....

Yes go soon. I have a CT full body scan with contrast dye tomorrow. Then on Wed. I have an endoscopic ultrasound that is used to stage the cancer and to check on areas surrounding it. I have no idea how it will be treated. Now the colon cancer chemo is on hold until we see how bad this is. It is my worst nightmare. I never dreamed of colon or esophageal cancer and certainly not together. 2 primary cancers found in 2 mos. Unbelieveable. I 'll keep you posted if you like and you insist on another endoscopy. My first one in Feb. was fine, perfect, no problem. Now in Dec . is very cancerous , looks to be about 4 inches of tumors and the esophagus is 10 inches long. It is not good. Lia

Definately keep me updated, I will be thinking about you.

We just moved back to this area and I am hoping my old doc will take me back.

All I have had done is an Upper GI, and the doc told me that its very good at seeing any problems... :confused:

I hate going to the doctor in the first place, and lately there is so many things I need to get in for. :rolleyes:

Take care.

I hate going to the dr too and that is all I have done for a year. I have so many health problems aside from this and take so many prescription drugs and here I come up with 2 primary cancers. I cannot believe it .I know you will have to get back in with the old dr or get a new one , but take it from me , the upper GI did not do me any good. I had it in February and that was supposed to be that. It looked perfect but my symptoms never went away. I had it 24/7 but the symptoms would change and would be better on some days and then I thought with the manometry which I had in late OCT had finally pin pointed the problem. But as you can see it was misleading too. I go to the full body CT scan ordered by the Chemo Dr today and I have to drink a lot of contrast dye before hand and then have it in an IV after I get down there. I hate needles too , am phobic almost , as I have small, rolling veins and it takes them all at least 3 sticks to find a vein. I must get over that fear as that is all I see anymore , needles and more needles. This is just a nightmare and I hope yours does not take the route mine is taking. I would never have believed it . I thought I was doing to the right thing. Going to the Drs and having their tests and taking their meds and here this sneaked right past all of us. Lia