silent reflux

[Daisy1986]

would anyone be able to help me, I’ve had my symptoms for 12 weeks not as long as most of you here! I started literally overnight I had chest pain then the next day I constantly had to burp then I was struggling to swallow food phoned gp he gave me propazaole they worked cleared my symptoms by atleast 80% when I was running out of tablets called my doctor explained symptoms a lot better but still feel like i have a heavy feeling on my chest and something in my throat causing me to swallow constantly, gave me another prescription of the ppi carried out until I run out doctor told me it should of cleared and to have a break, had 2 weeks off and and well now it’s got to the point I’ve choked twice on my dinners now I can’t eat at all cant swallow eating jelly, yogurts and soup I’ve lost a lot of weight waiting for the camera (which I’m dreading 😟) has anyone experienced not being able to swallow solid food at all I’m scared I’ve panicked so bad when I choked I’m stoping myself from swallowing, feel for everyone who’s going through this.

[liz_crisp]

hi Daisy, it’s great your doctor is sending you for an endoscopy, if they offer sedation for the procedure take it, they can get a much better picture with you relaxed. While you are waiting for the procedure it might be an idea to do the soft eating thing to take the fear of choking out of eating. This can cause the throat to tighten up and spasam as you expect to choke on whatever you swallow.

Chew everything 30 times before you swallow, eat slowly and eat small but calorie packed meals. Don’t eat foods that are doughy or will turn into a ball if you rolled them in your hand eg doughnuts, cakes, soft bread, things like ritz crackers will melt on your tongue, toast is easier to chew than untoasted. always have a sauce with your food and have a little bowl at the side of your plate for food you can’t chew to a pulp. (Stuff you need to spit out or if you feel you will choke if you swallow) it takes the panic away. Make fresh soup with lots of cream or Creme freche, casseroles done in a slow cooker for hours taste great and are normally soft and easy to chew. Dm me if you want any other ideas.

[Daisy1986 in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you liz I’m going to give this a go I just haven’t seen a lot about anyone saying they physically can’t swallow 😞 everyone seems to be able to eat still but just suffer other symptoms I appreciate your help

[Jumpey]

Try not to worry about the endoscopy.It's fine. They sedate you.Difficulty swallowing is common with Gerd especially dry foods like bread. Avoid them or chew more, eat smaller pieces.Try an acid free diet .Dr.Louise Kaufman's book Acid Free Diet is great.

[Daisy1986]

Thanks I feel better knowing it isn’t uncommon not to be able to swallow any solid food with it I will look at the book to buy thanks for the advice

[Dorset22]

I was anxious about the Endoscopy but with the sedative I knew nothing about it. As soon as they put the sedative in my arm, I was out and woke up in bed later. Acid free diet, Kefir, yoghurt, manuka honey to soothe throat. Anxiety makes eating food worse.

[Hidden]

I've had the gastroscopy and, like you, I was scared and anxious about it but it was fine. They give you a slight sedative and a numbing throat spray and you don't feel anything. Lasts minutes.

[Daisy1986 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊 I am feeling better about this now been back to my go today he has told me to take 2 ppi a day and I have been taking advance gaviscon so fingers crossed 🤞 it’s going to help before hand

[Hidden in reply to Daisy1986]

At least that is one worry less. I might have to get another but it's not bothering me now. Take care.

[Beanlover]

It's important that they really try to work out whether there's a physical cause for your swallowing problems. I had a lot of help from a speeech and language therapist when I was choking and having difficulty swallowing. They can help with swallowing exercises. But first they would want to know what was causing it, as there can be different causes.

[Daisy1986]

can I ask was yours caused by acid reflux? I am just waiting for my appointment for the camera next week to rule anything else out my problems started when my reflux returned and I choked on my dinner( on my birthday of all days) I’ve had globus it’s the same feeling like I forget how to swallow when I’m about to swallow food if nothing is going with camera I’m going to request speech and language therapy has really effected my life for last 4 weeks