Trouble swallowing for months now

[nh_user_1141525]

Hello everybody,

Please bare with me as what I'm about to explain might not make much sense. I've been having trouble swallowing for what seems to be the better part of a year or so. I don't remember the last time I was actually able to swallow any type of solid food without drinking water and swallowing the food at the same time. I didn't think much of it because the food went down and I wasn't really worried about it by any means. The last few months something has changed and I'm not sure whether something is really wrong or if it's just anxiety (which I've never been diagnosed with). For the last few months I haven't been able to get down anything that's not a very soft food (ex: rice, some type of noodles). Chicken, steak, really anything forget it... Every time I try to swallow the food, I get a feeling that my throat closes off completely and wont allow my esophagus to work properly and push the food down. If I try to force it, I automatically get extreme shortness of breath and feel an extreme throat tightness that doesn't go away for 20 - 30 minutes. I was in the gym the other day and almost passed out, I'm assuming this was due to energy exertion and not being able to swallow. I started to see white lights and had to rush outside to get some air and calm myself down. One important thing to note because I know it will be asked is that I never get heartburn, I don't regurgitate my food (knock on wood) and I don't ever feel an acid build up 

I did have a Barium swallow test and a Thyroid ultrasound last week but have yet to hear back about the results. I'm only writing here because the ultrasound tech nor the Dr's demeanor seemed like there was anything to worry about. 

I'm just stating to get down and feel like this is my life moving forward. I've been living off meal replacement shakes and am noticing myself losing extreme muscle mass (bodybuilder who goes to the gym 6x a week). It's really getting quite depressing.

If anybody has had this before or can give words of encouragement I'd really appreciate it.... thanks so much. 

[nh_user_1136536]

Sorry to hear how awful you've been feeling I know anxiety plays a very big part in stomach problems my stomach really plays up when I,m anxious. Just as I think I,m getting on top of things something happens and knocks me back again . Eating also becomes difficult cos your notice every mouthful going down. Waiting for results is a very tense time as well try to keep positive hope you feel better soon

[nh_user_1152906]

Hi Jay

I did go through a period of time with reflux that I had a hard time swallowing, especially with some of the meds they had me taking. I can't say how much was anxiety related or how much from the acid itself affecting my throat.

You may know this already but, you may want think seriously about maybe an endoscope to really rule out anything serious. I never wanted one but it at least helped to have some sense of my experience.

Also, I do not know if this may be part of it, but if you are not familiar there is a valve that follows in your throat just as you swallow that opens, and closes to allow the food down, it is different then the valve at the top of your stomach that is responsible for containing the stomach contents. 

I am only aware of it now because of my research from my problems. If I recall correctly it can certainly be affected by reflux, and can affect your swallowing. 

By the way, not saying this is what your experiencing but there is certainly a thing know as silent reflux can cause problems without some of the symptoms of full blown reflux. When they did my endoscope they found barrrets esophagus at the entrance of my stomach, which caused me to think what I used to think was another problem years back may well have been reflux and I did not know it. 

Until you get something definitive medically two things you may consider that has helped my condition is relaxed deep breathing exercises, and meditation. May be worth checking into.