I really need some advice. - Digestive Disorders Message Board

GHJR · 07-16-2004, 08:38 AM

A while back, ( roughly a month ) I had a choking incident.This left me rather shaken up because I almost choked to death,but I figured it was a freak occurence.Well,two weeks ago I had yet another incident,with a hot dog getting lodged in my throat.I became rather alarmed at this second incident in so many weeks,so i did some research.The more I read up on acid reflux and hernias,the more worried I became I might have one or the other.Here are my symptoms : A difficulty swallowing foods, ( especially meats,and it's almost impossible for me to eat spicy foods without feeling I am choking. )a horrendous indigestion I cant shake,and regurgitation to the point I barely eat anymore.I have tried changing my diet,and although it has helped,I still feel a times I might choke to death eating.Later I was advised to start taking zantac,and I have.It helps,but I still feel like the pill is lodged in my throat after I take it.EVERYTHING feels like this.This feeling is extremely unnerving to say the least.What I'd like to know is do I have acid reflux,could I have a Hernia ? How would I know exactly ? The reason I put this on the back burner is because I have such a problem with my back I really didnt think it was any more than the fact I must have hurt my throat ( during my first choking incident ) and, of course,it needed to heal.So what would your opinions be on this matter ? Did I simply not give my throat time to heal or could something else be wrong ? I really apreciate your input.Sleep,because of my severe back problem, is hard enough to come by without dealing with this too....

Katie G · 07-16-2004, 09:59 AM

Hi there - you need to see a GI doctor and have endoscopy done to actually look at the esophagus. An upper GI might also be in order to check for hernia, achalasia (narrowing of the esophagus), and possibly esophageal manometry to evaluate the synchronization of esophageal contractions and motility of the esophagus.

Katie G

Kyssa · 07-16-2004, 12:36 PM

Hi GHJR....I agree with KatieG, you definitely need to have this checked out. That said, my Dad has had a hiatal hernia for decades, while I have been dealing with GERD for about 10 years. With GERD (reflux), I do not have that choking feeling, but my Dad was diagnosed with hiatal hernia after almost choking to death a few times, literally. My Mom had to bend him over a dining room chair and pound on his back to get him breathing and swallowing again. I don't want to alarm you, because as scary as that is, it's controllabe and treatable once diagnosed. He never had surgery, just watches his diet and refrains from spicy foods or other foods which bother him, although it took him a while to figure out which foods did that to him. I think in both GERD and hiatal hernia, it's "hit or miss" for a while while figuring out what works and what doesn't (or what hurts and what doesn't), since every patient is different. Defnitely get it checked out. Good luck!

Lia813 · 07-16-2004, 04:57 PM

Hi GHJR. I deal with the same thing and have for 7 mos. I too am dealing with back problems that cause leg and foot trouble and tried to ignore this at first due to the back stuff. But I couldn't . I had incredible chest pain upon each and every swallow of food or water or meds. Also quite often meat especially hung in my throat and pills did even more often. I went to my PCP and he gave me Aciphex and said I probably had esophagitis due to Fosamax that I had taken for 18 mos. for osteoporosis , The Aciphex did not help. I had a Barrium Swallow that showed an ulceration or large mass on my esophagus so my Dr ordered me to a Gastroentologist for an endoscopy . It showed nothing, no ulceration, no mass, nothing even to biopsy. I changed to Prilosec OTC rather than Aciphex since if it was not gonna help much at least it'd be a cheaper non help. The Dr. upped it to 2 a day. I continued that until late last month when my legs and feet were so bad that I had to attend to that. I am taking one Prilosec OTC now daily and while I am better, have far less chest pain on swallowing ,I still have those choking incidents and the pills hanging in the throat. I don't know what really to tell you . I suppose I will end up having a manometry if I ever get done paying for the PT I am having now on my back hoping to help my legs and feet. I've been on PPI's daily since Jan. 1 and I am not well yet. I hope you find some relief soon for your back and your esophagus. Hi to Katie G too ! Lia

GHJR · 07-18-2004, 04:55 PM

I'm curious....do any of you think my asthma might make this worse ? Could it affect my reflux ? I've heard about the relation between the two,but nothing too explicit...