Trouble swallowing

[Squirrelmonkey]

Hi everyone. I’m a lurker first time poster. I’m in the process of being diagnosed. My doctor says she’s positive I have fibro and she’s treating me as such and I’ve recently been diagnosed with a low thyroid and have been on medication for that since January. I’ve recently returned to work after a seven month absence and tbh I’m finding it hard going but I’m not ready to give it up yet, anyway, I’m having trouble swallowing. Not all the time but more often than usual. Food goes down the wrong way and I end up having a coughing fit. I was just wondering if anyone else has the same problem and is it a fibro thing.

[Hidden]

Have you been checked out for a hiatus hernia I have one make me choke on my food and during the night you need to get it checked out to make sure its nothing serious take care?

[kymkat]

I am also having this problem,I live alone and started choking on a crumb one day,it was so bad I thought I was having an asthma attack,although I do not have asthma, I could not speak so thought I cannot phone an ambulance,found an old inhaler of my sons and in desperation used that and eventually I could breath normally,definitely the scariest point in my life.I have a fantastic gp and he has made a referral to clinic to have it checked,I would suggest you do the same,feels like my throat is being squeezed tight and also cough and breathe differently,also have thyroid disease and a node in there,dont leave it just because its fibro related,get it checked.😉

[Sparkimoore in reply to kymkat]

Hi!

I have severe asthma but I’ve had these TOTAL STOP BREATHING episodes 3 times in the last 12 months triggered by a drip of vinegar on a beetroot on one, & goodness knows what with the other two. Absolutely terrifying. It went on for about a minute I think. I called the ambulance with my case alarm cos I couldn’t speak. Thankfully my NEB I always have fired up, brought me back. It feels like one of these times I will be gone.. A&E had thought it was maybe a bronchial spasm. Resp Professor @ Southampton is mistified. One of these days that will be IT! There’s no lead up to it..

[kymkat in reply to Sparkimoore]

I know,right,its so frightening,its like the whole of your throat closes up,wish I knew the answer.

[rubycheshire]

I have had Fibro for nearly 30 years plus an under active thyroid for about 10. These last 2 years I have had trouble swallowing but all that is said to me when I broach the subject is right, ok. Don't know how to sort it out.

[Sal0712]

I have trouble swallowing foods such as bread, potato, rice and pasta. It’s as though it gets stuck in the back of my throat and I have to drink to get it to go down which is very painful. I’ve not been to the doctors about it but if it carries on I will be!

[Shazzzy]

Yes, I have had this problem for a few years I had a camera down the throat to check it. Was told it's dysplasia. No specific treatment unless it seriously affects you eating, ie malnutrition.

[MariLiz]

I think the swallowing is more likely to be due to your thyroid problem. Get your doctor to check your throat for any signs of enlargement of your thyroid gland.

[Squirrelmonkey]

Thanks everyone. I’ll get it checked just to be safe. I do have a gland in my neck that has remained swollen since all of my problems started back in 2015. I had a cold that lasted 3 months which turned into the worst sore throat I’ve ever had; the glands in my neck were very swollen and sore but this one gland has never gone down so it makes sense it might affect my ability to swallow.I’ll definitely get my doctor to check it out. Thanks again🙂

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Hi there and welcome to the forum I a m hoping you will enjoy reading the posts and joining in the chat , lovely well run forum I’ve made some nice friends along the way and found lots of helpful tips from the members too. I would differently speak to your doctor for a piece of mind as I’m sure a coughing fit cannot be very nice , I do read a lot of Fibro sufferers seem to have gastric problems , I was tested and they found a hiastas hernia speaking to family etc they seem to be very common. Keep us posted how you get along , if you would like to lock your posts here’s a helpful link healthunlocked.com/fibromya... xx

[Patdoyle]

Yes I get this. As though a crumb has gone down the wrong way and I am coughing and choking. It wakes me up too sometimes. Can be quite scary.

[Lima6MCT]

I was told it was GERD that was causing it. I'm not entirely convinced as there is underactive thyroid problems in my family and my readings tend to be borderline normal.

[klr31 in reply to Lima6MCT]

Ask for a trial of thyroxine and to be tested for Hashimoto's.

Karen

[Lima6MCT in reply to klr31]

I have tried several times to have thyroid investigations but each time I ask I just get told it is related to reflux problems

.

[klr31 in reply to Lima6MCT]

You could get private tests. Otherwise you might need to be pushy to get action.

Karen

[klr31]

It sounds like it's your thyroid which is enlarged and causing the trouble swallowing. This can be an issue with an underactive thyroid. You might find when you are on sufficient medication that your fibromylgia improves. Get vitamin D, B12 and iron /ferritin tested too.

Karen

[mistee7]

Yes it's part of it. Loads of people have trouble swallowing including me. I'll choke on food more often drink and even my own saliva.