HI,
My swollowing is getting worse this was my only real symptom at first, i want to be able to eat and not start panicking that i am not swollowing correctly.
Also for months i have not felt like i can get a deep breath but everytime the check my breathing is 99 or 100.
I know i am a nervous person and i was starting to think it was aniexty but could that really cause these feelings?
Any advise would be great
Hi there, anxiety does do strange things to the body! I was convinced I couldn't swallow properly and could feel food getting stuck and was referred for a barium swallow which came back fine, so it can be all mental.
Having said that, I would go to the doc and explain your symptoms and ask for this test as it's best to be on the safe side. Since my test I take all the episodes of not being able to swallow in my stride. However, if things got worse I would definitely ask for a re referral.
Hi Stella thanks for that.
Yes it is horrible, i miss eating steak as i have to cut it up really small etc and getting really fed up now.
Thanks i have doctors tomorrow so will mention it but had a scope recently and thinking if that fitted down ok it cant be blocked.
Hi Tambdy yes anxiety can cause severe swallowing problems there's something called globus which many many people with anxiety have so there's a good chance your fear maybe causing it if your recent scope was ok then nothing is in the way my advice to you is this distract yourself when eating sit up straight read a magazine look at the pictures but think of anything but swallowing chew your food really well and turn the next page don't think too much it helps globus is a common complaint for anxiety sufferers if you think this is to do with other things than anxiety get yourself checked God bless Tracieann
Hi there,
A recent clear scope means that there's no mechanical blockage - great news! You may just be having spasms, I think that's what I have and like anything muscular it's worse when you're tense.
As Tracieanne has said, try relaxing and distraction when you're eating. I find if I concentrate on it it makes things ten times worse. Bread is my particular nemesis, but I just have sips of water when I eat and that helps.
I'd still mention the barium swallow if you're worried x
I think it is worse with the anxiety of it, I similarly had a period where I thought my ability to swallow was becoming more restricted, but having accepted this condiiton and managing fairly more relaxed I have found the swallowing is easier, of course still have to be careful with what I am trying to swallow!! and really do need to stick to the recommended foods for Barretts, otherwise I do suffer.
So if you can relax a little it should help, I know easier said than done.
Regards
L