In need of support for information

[FB0704]

Im so sorry for the long post.

In November of 2023 I started noticing difficulties when swallowing. Stomach pain, discomfort. I went to the doctor and was order to get a barium swallow, which showed some narrowing on my esophagus. Then I got an endoscopy that confirmed and benign stricture on my esophagus believed to be from the acid reflux, it turned out that I have H Pylori bacteria. Ever since going through all of this tests I started feeling so anxious, and depressed. I am wondering if my anxiety and depression were already an issue prior to my health issues, and just the health issues made it worse. I will be taking antibiotics to treat the bacteria. I also have to do a manometry (swallowing study) to check my esophagus muscles are functioning properly. The doctor thinks everything is fine, but still wants me to do the test. I have notice the swallowing difficulties seem worse when I’m anxious. Can anxiety cause swallowing issues? Has anyone experienced this? I feel so lonely on this, because doctors don’t seem concerned but why do I feel so anxious and scared? 😔

[Dolphin14]

Hi

Having a medical work up is very scary. Fear of the unknown?

I'm not a Dr but I would imagine when you are swallowing your mind is focused on it constantly. Maybe you are waiting for something else to happen.

Hopefully your testing will be done soon and your treatment plan all set. I'm thinking by then the anxiety will resolve

Wishing you the best

🐬

[FB0704 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you, hopefully once all testing is done and I know what I’m dealing with, I may be able to relax and get some relief.

[Dolphin14 in reply to FB0704]

I hope so. We are here for you

🐬

[MadBunny]

It's the waiting that's so awful isn't it? As Dolphin says, possibly fear of the unknown. I'm waiting for the results of an echocardiogram and I keep thinking of the worst case scenario. It's good that the doctors think things are fine, I guess they are just being thorough and just want to rule out other things.

I hope you don't have to wait too long.

Sending you my best wishes.

[FB0704 in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you. I hope all goes well with your echocardiogram.

[MadBunny in reply to FB0704]

Thank you . Much appreciated.

[Agora1]

Hi FranBorbon, I am not a doctor but someone like yourself who went through

this some years ago. Had workup done like you only to prove Anxiety was behind

the muscle tightness. It's interesting that once I was relieved of my "what if's"

I was able to swallow my food w/o an issue. I wish you well in your outcome. xx

[FB0704 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, is so reassuring. I have noticed that when I am calm, my swallowing feels more normal. I just need to really work on controlling my anxiety.