Bone spurs on C5/C6 impinging on esophagus - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

foleynan · 02-08-2008, 07:57 AM

I've been treated for more than 15 years for GERD with no relief from large doses of Prilosec. I have almost constant pain in the area of the esophagus as well as gagging and coughing when I swallow. It also feels like small bits of food lodge in my esophagus for days at a time without my being able to cough them out.
Recent modified swallow shows bone spurs on cervical 5 and 6 impinging on esophagus but my dr said those wouldn't be causing my symptoms.
Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and found successful treatment.
Thanks much

shaun472 · 02-08-2008, 09:53 AM

I just recently found out I have bone spurs on C5/C6 and herniated disks.I have all the symptoms you decribed. I can`t give you any treatment suggestions because my doctor also told me they were not related. Its comforting to know someone else has experienced the same symptoms. My doctor treated me like I was crazy. I am looking for new one, but I have so much going on I don`t know what kind of specialist to see. What kind o specialist are you currently using?

foleynan · 02-08-2008, 02:27 PM

I went back to my internist today as I, too, don't know what type of a specialist to see. My internist doesn't think the spurs would cause these symptoms. He hasn't ruled out anything but is starting over with tests. He took a simple chest xray today. Depending on its results, he'll probably order a CT scan of the chest and "midsection". He said my coughing, pain and feeling of food sticking could be pulmonary (asthma or allergies), gastro (GERD or esophageal pouches or folds, etc.), or something up against the esophagus causing stricture. Wish I could help you more but this is so very difficult to diagnose! How long have you had these symptoms and what type of doctors have you been seeing.
Let's keep in touch with each other in case one of us has a breakthrough diagnose and treatment!
Thanks much!

shaun472 · 02-08-2008, 03:14 PM

I`ve only had my symptoms since an injury a little over 2 months ago. I had alot of pain afterwards, so I had an MRI. I have alot of different things going on, most of my injuries were old injuries I didn`t know I had, the accident just triggered the pain I guess. I`ve seen a neurologist, Orthopedist/sports injury,now I`m getting an appt. to see a neurosurgeon. Hopefully he can help. I`ll keep you posted. Good luck on your test. Hopefully you can find out whats going on. This can be so frustrating!!! Let me know how it goes.