Food won't go down

[Upinflames]

This is odd. It comes and goes, I've had every test they can think of including a camera down my throat and they've found nothing wrong.

I can swallow but it can't get into my stomach. The food lodges above my stomach. A drink to 'wash it down' makes it worse and painful. Only thing I have found when it happens is to walk around until it goes into my stomach. Then it will usually be fine for the rest of the meal. It isn't triggered by any food type, there's no acid reflux, no rhyme or reason.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

[Riley Blue]

O/H occasionally has this, hiatus hernia has been diagnosed.

[Kermit power]

Riley Blue said:

O/H occasionally has this, hiatus hernia has been diagnosed.

Precisely what I was going to say!

I get it from time to time with relatively dense, dry foods - I've learned never to take a bite of an M&S beef & onion sub whilst driving, for example!

A former colleague of mine has it way worse too, so that's three matching calls. I'd guess it's the lack of acid reflux that has thrown the docs off the scent.

[dobly]

Years ago, I got a series of food blockages (especially with rice iirc). Turned out to be a perforated bowel tumour just behind my spleen. One emergency operation, loads of chemo and radiation therapy and all sorted. Probably won't be the same for you, but you did ask.

[Brainpox]

Hiatus hernia could be one to check though I’d be surprised if they haven’t already. Have you had a barium swallow done? Sometimes the peristalsis in the oesophagus fires in the wrong order when you swallow. Barium swallows can show it. I have no idea what the treatment would be though, sorry

[popeyewhite]

A client of mine suffers from anxiety and has issues swallowing sometimes.

[Onelastattempt]

If you have had a camera down then wouldn't a Hiatus hernia have been sent? That's how they found mine.

[Luke.]

popeyewhite said:

A client of mine suffers from anxiety and has issues swallowing sometimes.

I was going to mention anxiety. It can play havoc with the muscles when you're swallowing.

[UrbanAchiever]

Could be Achalasia.

[fouronthefloor]

I used to get this quite badly, almost to the point of panic. It got more frequent and I found that drinking water immediately before eating would alleviate the problem.
Someone recommended taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day and this has helped tremendously. I also made an effort to lose some weight by cutting out nearly all processed foods and by lowering my carb intake. It sounds unbelievable but I feel fitter now at 60 than I have done for the last 30 years.

[22s]

I had swallowing issues for several years before finally getting checked last year.

I have a small hiatus hernia (although that's what the camera down the throat should have shown for you, so maybe unlikely?) plus eosinophilic esophagitis.

They put me on the six food elimintation diet (wheat, soy, nuts, fish, dairy, eggs). It definitely helped - think it's probably a wheat or gluten intolerance.

As above, if you haven't done a barium swallow you should get one done. It's pretty interesting to be able to see what is going on in your throat when you swallow something!

[bigdom]

Upinflames said:

This is odd. It comes and goes, I've had every test they can think of including a camera down my throat and they've found nothing wrong.

I can swallow but it can't get into my stomach. The food lodges above my stomach. A drink to 'wash it down' makes it worse and painful. Only thing I have found when it happens is to walk around until it goes into my stomach. Then it will usually be fine for the rest of the meal. It isn't triggered by any food type, there's no acid reflux, no rhyme or reason.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Yes, had this problem for many years, a few endoscopy to investigate. Bread/Meat protein being the main culprits for getting stuck. If you don't already know, fizzy drinks can help if stuck, no idea why, just something my GP mentioned years ago - also, if you end up in A&E, they also prescribe a can of coke as 1st line treatment.

Don't discount acid being the issue for it, in my case too much acid production leaked out, it inflames the esophagus and makes it sticky. It appears the likely cause of the hiatus hernia. I had no taste of acid, or feeling of it, occasionally an annoying cough, which was caused by the irritation.

I was prescribed Esomeprazole (Nexium), although Omeprazole is also used, but not as effective for me. Both can be bought over the counter or in most supermarket shelves, you have nothing to lose by giving them a trial. Hayfever/allergies can also make it sticky.

Edited by bigdom on Wednesday 30th August 11:54

[Arranguez]

I too get this. Had a camera down my throat about 10 years ago and they found nothing. Since then I find milk is the magic formula. It happens when I’m a bit run down and not eating properly. I’ve learnt the early signs now so can manage it without omaprazole, but on occasion have to be sick to clear my throat and start again very slowly with lots of water if no milk to hand.

It is very annoying!

[Upinflames]

Gosh what a response!

I've done the barium swallow and they ruled out the hiatus hernia.

Don't think I have anxiety, it doesn't show itself any other way if I have.

A couple of people mentioned swallowing, it's not swallowing, swallowing is fine, it's the next bit where it goes from the oesophagus into the stomach that's faulty.

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to try the vinegar thing.

[bigpriest]

Auto-immune conditions can manifest themselves in a variety of ways as well - dryness in the gut could cause the issues you describe but the camera would usually show up any inflammation.

[Upinflames]

bigdom said:

Yes, had this problem for many years, a few endoscopy to investigate. Bread/Meat protein being the main culprits for getting stuck. If you don't already know, fizzy drinks can help if stuck, no idea why, just something my GP mentioned years ago - also, if you end up in A&E, they also prescribe a can of coke as 1st line treatment.

Don't discount acid being the issue for it, in my case too much acid production leaked out, it inflames the esophagus and makes it sticky. It appears the likely cause of the hiatus hernia. I had no taste of acid, or feeling of it, occasionally an annoying cough, which was caused by the irritation.

I was prescribed Esomeprazole (Nexium), although Omeprazole is also used, but not as effective for me. Both can be bought over the counter or in most supermarket shelves, you have nothing to lose by giving them a trial. Hayfever/allergies can also make it sticky.

Edited by bigdom on Wednesday 30th August 11:54

Thanks, I've tried Omeprazole which did nothing at all, Haven't tried Esomeprazole though, I'll get some, thanks for this.

[The_Doc]

These posts are useful, but achalasia and esophageal motility is a known thing and you should really have a knowledgeable Gastroenterologist sorting you out.
Not some blokes who like cars. Lots of simple and lots of complicated causes.

If you don't have the knowledgeable specialist named, then find one in the next biggest city to you. Keep trying bigger and bigger cities until you find the answer.

"I've had every test they can think of including a camera down my throat and they've found nothing wrong."

Get another "they"

[Upinflames]

The_Doc said:

These posts are useful, but achalasia and esophageal motility is a known thing and you should really have a knowledgeable Gastroenterologist sorting you out.
Not some blokes who like cars. Lots of simple and lots of complicated causes.

If you don't have the knowledgeable specialist named, then find one in the next biggest city to you. Keep trying bigger and bigger cities until you find the answer.

"I've had every test they can think of including a camera down my throat and they've found nothing wrong."

Get another "they"

I've had a few 'theys' at 2 different hospitals over the last 3 years.

Posting on here wasn't my first attempt to get a diagnosis!

[globaltraveller]

I had something similar, though it was more in my throat.

For me it was eventually and correctly diagnosed as anxiety and acid reflux.

A drug called Omeprazole fixed me together with getting past the anxiety.

Yours may be different with being lower down but worth a look.

[Olivera]

For those taking Omeprazole - is it a daily pill? Are there any side effects of taking it long term?