Hi, this is my first post!
For as long as I can remember, I've tended to choke on foods. I've never managed to swallow pills, and have, over the years, had to do the Heimlich on myself a few times, which has scared me silly.
I have fibromyalgia (dx in 2009), but this problem is much older than that. About twenty years ago, I had a scope done, without sedation. It was awful, nurse pinned me down, doctor got angry and then had the nerve to say that it was all in my head (as I went home to nurse an injured esophagus, but was able to swallow noodles whole for the first time in my life! it was incredible!). Alas, the problem slowly redeveloped over time. I'm on various meds and not being able to swallow pills has limited some of my treatment. So my GP ordered a barrium swallow (I can't swallow large amounts of liquids either - doesn't hurt, just doesn't go down) and we discovered a stricture.
Last Thursday, I went into for another scope, with a different GI, and under light sedation. His plan was to biopsy various areas first and then pass the scope. But my stricture is so severe that he wasn't able to pass the scope and estimates the diameter of my esophagus to be less than 4 mm.
Even the biopsy thingy couldn't open its jaws enough to close and grab tissue, so we only got one biopsy right at the top of the stricture.
I'm being referred to an ENT for a dilation under general. Then back to the GI for a scope and more biospies.
Given the location of the stricture (so high up), I can't imagine that it could be caused by gastric reflux? Also, I don't have any heartburn? The GI thought that this condition might be chronic and need regular dilations, which scares the heck out of me.
Just wonder if others could point me towards info, share some thoughts/experiences?
I've gotten very nervous about eating many foods and have had to make sure that I'm calm (as are my kids) around the table if I'm trying to eat or I choke
