Having trouble swallowing food, not sure if it's anxiety.

[Jlorde28]

About a month ago I had the flu, then I only had a mild cough that never went away but I didn't think much of it. Then for the last two weeks I've been having trouble swallowing water and food here and there. Like I feel I'm going to choke on it and have to stop. I also get really bad chest pain either during or after a meal. Well last Thursday I was eating and not even two minutes into it I began to feel chest pain, I stopped and got up, that is when I felt shortness of breath. I went to walk around the block as I did not want to run to the ER. My breathing got better but the chest pain was still there, I then began to have cold sweat and episodes of shortness of breath. I went to the ER they performed an EKG, Xrays, and drew blood 3 times. I was sent home the next day as they didn't find anything. I am not on any medication or birth control , and I also don't smoke.

Well since then I haven't been able to eat or even tolerate soft foods. I have tried noodles, pasta, soups, apple sauce and feel like I have to flush it down with lots of water because it gets stuck. I immediately start feeling shortness of breath as well, so I don't even want to try eating anything anymore. I have been drinking Ensure for he past 4 days. I feel like I can't even swallow my saliva sometimes and the more I think about it the harder it gets. I've read online that some people think its anxiety, others say it might be esophagus stricture or dysphagia. I am going to the doctor today and I hope I can get help ASAP as I am super hungry and getting pretty tired of ensure.

Has anyone been through this? Could it just be GERD?

[Agora1]

Hi Jlorde28, I agree Ensure goes only so far and then you crave a real meal. The chest pain after a few minutes of eating can be nothing more than a lot of swallowed air from nervousness. It can very well be from anxiety due to the tightening of the throat and esophagus muscles. However, because you say you cannot swallow even soft foods, it is better checked out by your doctor or a simple swallow test done at the hospital out patient. Let us know how you made out at the doctors today. Wish you well x

[Jlorde28 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you! So update, the first thing my doctor said is that my symptoms could be due to anxiety. They gave me a referral for a swallowing test just to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with me. I cannot put my finger on what could possibly be causing me anxiety though, we all have our family problems here and there so it's nothing new. I just don't know if its finally catching up to me and taking a toll on my body and maybe it is anxiety? Yesterday I felt a relief after going to the doctor and tried to eat again, I tried to relax as much as possible and was able to eat some cut up melon and after an hour a soup (not so easily, I felt like it was stuck twice) and later I even finished a small sandwich! I couldn't believe it! i had a feeling it was stuck but I tried to focus on something else and then I didn't notice till later that it went away. I tried to eat something this morning, still had some complications but it's getting easier. I'm still going to go in and get the swallow test just to be sure.

[Agora1 in reply to Jlorde28]

Jlorde28, I'm glad you went to the doctor and got a referral for a swallow test. I think that will put your mind at ease. It did for me. Any on going emotional event, even though you may not feel anxiety, can cause the muscles to tighten. In your case it was the throat and esophagus. Do you know even listening to an emotional song can give you that tight feeling in your throat? It's where we carry a lot of our emotions. I'm glad you have been able to start eating something substantial. I agree in your keeping the swallow test appointment. It's such a simple test that will relieve your concerns. Good Luck and let us know with another update. Enjoy your day x

[Jlorde28 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you Angora1! It is very interesting to find that so many different things can cause changes in our body, such as your example with the music. I will definitely post an update after the test. Have a nice day!

[Bluswife]

Nope I been going thru it for 7 month the last two has been mostly ensure only. And it sucks but anxiety can cause your throat to lick up I had to have a dilation and now another oct 3

[Ktbm]

Im going through the same thing cant eat as im terrified im gonna choke which i have on several occasions and its so scary. I live on Ensures and cups of tea cant even eat mashed potato or a rich tea biscuit. Im under a mental health Dietican and she just says i need to try harder yeah righto i think. My fear is out of control been like this for 2 and half months now. So i tottally understand your pain. Well done for eating what u have i couldnt entertain it.