Possible esopageal stricture.

QtrHrsMomma · 11-30-2004, 07:51 PM

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?????

Lia813 · 12-01-2004, 02:32 PM

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

QtrHrsMomma · 12-02-2004, 06:42 PM

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!

Lia813 · 12-02-2004, 10:59 PM

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

QtrHrsMomma · 12-06-2004, 08:25 PM

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.....