I've had fibromyalgia for over 10 years and experienced a number of ups and downs. Last year I started having swallowing problems - mainly difficulty initiating the swallow. I have been investigated by ENT team, neurology and speech and language therapy, all of whom could not come to a definite diagnosis but ruled out anything serious. Various suggestions were made - hypersensitive larynx, muscle tension, psychological and stress. In November last year it got so bad I could hardly eat and was seen urgently, again they ruled anything serious out. It has slowly improved but still need a straw to drink. I spoke to a rheumatologist about some back problems I've been having and looking through my notes he saw I have some swallowing problems, he said it was all due to fibromyalgia. I have since mentioned this to my GP who seemed surprised but said I guess the doctor knows what he is talking about. None of the other doctors I have seen mentioned fibromyalgia so I was wondering if anybody else has heard of swallowing problems being due to fibromyalgia.
Cheers,
David
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DavidR99
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this is one of those could be related group with a small Turkish study for example recording 25% of their sample group showing some signs of dysphagia but it did not mention what the background rate was so some questions remain.
David if have a swallowed problem go see a doctor Iv had fibromyalgia go 25 years and that a first for me so be sure ok 👌
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee• in reply to
The op had already been to the doctor and specialist
I've been diagnosed a few years now by a rheumatologist, at that time I had listed a bunch of symptoms, one of which was dysphagia and awful reflux. At times, if I had managed ok to swallow, it would try to come up. It made meal times pretty dire. Connect that with the anxiety it causes, makes it worse.
I've found lansoprazole helped.
I hope you get on ok, sorry couldn't be more help, just know your not alone.
Hi I had problems swallowing and servere heartburn from the age of 12 years went by plenty of flare ups many many appointments 38 they then found out it was barretts esophagus keep at them I'm now 57 long process but once they know you suffer with fibromyalgia straight away they say its related good luck x
Hi David not sure what tests you've had but my swallowing problems were diagnosed with a manometry test The barium meal did not show a problem. I have no idea if it is fibro related other than i had no swallow difficulties prior to fibro but do now, so correlation rather than causation. I would ask for this test, my cardiologist did mine as he thought my chest pain waa oesophageal spasm. He was right 😀 i have also found myofascial release helps as it reduces the overactive nervous system, so calns down the fight or flight which tgen gives time for the rest and digest. It's vomplex but with the help of myofascial physio snf manometry I've made good progress.
I too have swallowing difficulties, it started after I had surgery and went on for some time, investigates bt ENT found an involuntary spasm, I also went through gastro and they found gastritis, stomach ulcers and inflammation; I suffer a lot with acid reflux and heart burn. I’m on medication but still feel like I’m choking and that food gets lodged….. just the sensation it doesn’t actually happen but it’s awful so I understand how you feel. I was advised by nutritionalist to increase protein and fat by drinking protein shakes and ovaltine. She said that you will lose muscle mass and have more problems if you don’t keep your protein intake high - good luck regards Braveheart
O I see sorry didn't no Yes my sister in law got same problem but there is a new drug out that helps I believe It must be so hard
Hi DavidR99, no , a specialist has never said it’s related, but I have an issue too, Pregabalin I believe might be the cause but I also have an oesophageal issue relating to chocolate where on first eating a piece it spasms and closes for a second or two, I hardly eat nowadays as I have bowel issues too. This is happening more frequently now, and happened before Pregabalin. I too have major back issues, take care.
I have issue sometimes, it feels like something in my throat has bent backward.. the feeling is quite fleeting though.. I also have a constant feeling of something in my throat,I have been diagnosed with GERD which I believe this relates too, antacids ‘Gaviscon Advanced’ helps. I kicked my ass recently into regular exercises, at least 4ind, 4 times a week: this really does help with Fibro systems and I feel much stronger and less achy for it..
Hi,Thanks for the replies. I've had lots of tests which show no problem with acid reflux, no muscle problems and no neurology problems and so not left with much else. Just a bit confused why all the other specialists (ENT, neuro, GP's) didn't mention fibro but the rheumatologist was very clear - he said there is a definite link. Am seeing him again in a few months hopefully for some more advice.
Hi David I totally understand , I have had problems swallowing for at least a year now. At the beginning I was so scared I couldn't eat solid food without great difficulty I always felt like It was stuck in my throat and I couldn't move it then when it did move it was painful all the way down. Its a bit easier now but still there my doctor didn't know what it was and basically ignored me. I will be interested in your doctors advice . I know in myself it's the fibro muscle spasms though just getting others especially doctors to believe you is impossible. Hope yours can help you. Take care.
I have trouble swallowing, I have to have a drink with me when I eat to get my food down. I was getting a lot of heartburn and had 24 hour manometry test. Consequently I had an op called fundoplication. They wrap part of your tummy around oesophagus. My muscles in my oesophagus literally don't work. The op got rid of heartburn and hiatus hernia.
There was no mention of fibromyalgia causing it
If you need to know anything about the op please message me
Hi David,Get an esophageal mobility test done. Achalasia is where the esophagus clamps 🗜 down all at one time instead of having the normal peristalsis of where the esophagus slowly squeezes the food down to the stomach. I had been having what I called esophageal spasms since 96 but picking up in 98 along with a host of other GI problems. It wasn’t until July 2018 when my GI doctor ordered a esophageal mobility test among other tests. The esophageal mobility test showed that my esophagus wasn’t contracting correctly with normal peristalsis. It was contracting from top to bottom all at one time thus not letting even water yet alone food pass through. I ended up going for surgery January or February 2019. It helped but I still have to watch what I eat. French fries 🍟 are a major trigger. And when it gets really bad (sharp chest pain and water not going down) I take a nitroglycerin which relaxes the esophagus and gravity pulls the food down. Sorry didn’t mean to leave this lengthy reply. I would inquire starting with the GI doctor who can order the esophageal mobility test. I hope this helps. This is not fibro related just another condition that tends to comes along with fibromyalgia.
Hi DavidR99, I have had the same problem for quite a while. I was very worried about it and my gp sent me for blood tests. It turns out that my B12 was very low and since I've had the injections, that amongst other symptoms have improved dramatically. This may not be relevant to you but might be worth checking. I also have fibromyalgia, EDS, degenerative disc disease to name a few.
Hi David yes I’ve had swallowing problems for years and it is very uncomfortable trying to swallow dried food. I always have to wash it down with a drink. I have fibromyalgia as well as low thyroid so I think the whole body slows down including all organs!! That’s my opinion but never got it checked. I now have wheezing problems in my throat and it feels like the whole of my esthothgus is blocked!! Who knows but I’m getting it checked now!! I think we can always blame fibromyalgia on a lot of things but best to get it checked. Not like me and leave it too late!! Good Luck 🤞 let me know how you get on!! 😊
Hi David, I get esophagus blocks. I'm also wondering about a connection, altho I had it before fibro. As it seems different I don't know if it's worth writing, but I'll put something I just wrote on another thread below, praps there's some idea in there for you.I once had severe swallowing problems, and that then was related to gastritis with GERD, heartburn and stomach burning.
Zippy09 's idea that fibro "slows down" might fit for you. More than in my case some of my muscles tending to overreact, so the amino acid via serotonin relaxes them, e.g. bladder, but not my esophagus.
This probably won't help either...:
I don't know if my esophagus blocks ring a bell: I used to have them off and on a few times a month. I couldn't find a specific food trigger and what I brought up when I couldn't get it thru was always well chewed. With time I noticed that I could vibrate on, above and below my sternum to get it going again. Since a gastritis they don't hurt as much, but have become much more frequent, and I can hardly ever get it down, rather vibrating now brings it up. The only thing I can do is become more sensitive to the slightest pressure, immediately stopping eating, praps taking out what I have in my mouth, so nothing more is swallowed. Also as in steakhouse syndrome I use fizzy water (people also say cola, but I don't use artificial foods or sugar), the fizz can help split it up. However only a little sip, as if it doesn't help it again increases the pain. My wife wants me to get a gastroscopy again, in case anything's visible change, I've made an appointment for next week. But I'm wary of getting that done, as they always let me lie too cold after and I get an extremely sore throat due to Raynaud and sensitivity. Also I again think they won't find anything. The two diagnoses that might apply are eosinophilic esophagitis, for which there is no good therapy I'd want, and histamine intolerance, which I'm into anyway since the jab. Another possibility is putting a stent in, also something I don't want if I can help it.
Hi - i havent heard of anyone else, but am interested in your post. I have had fybro with PMR and GCA. For some time, i have been having exactly what you describe, but not as serious.
Some days are worse than others- i cant automatically initiate a swallow - often thos means i hold liqud in my mouth and remember how to initiate a swallow, and with food, i feel like I am taking too large bites so it hurts when i swallow.
You are the only person i have come across who is experiencing the same. Lets see what we cab find out. Same diagnosis and issues. I am sure.
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