I've never heard of it - sounds like it might be trouble swallowing bu what is it really?

Hi @darlia
There are a couple of discussions with several Connect members talking about esophageal motility issues. Check them out here:
- Esophagus issues https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophagus-issues/
- Non Specific Esophageal Motility Disorder Caused by Beta Blockers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/non-specific-esophageal-motility-disorder-caused-by-beta-blockers/

@darlia

I have esophageal dysmotility, as well. As the bolus (bite of food) travels down the esophagus, rings fire in sequence to move it to the stomach. Those rings (in my case, at least) fire at random, so the bolus gets squeezed down, but then another ring squeezes it upward, continuing this back and forth until the bolus finally gets to the bottom and the door opens to allow it to enter the stomach. In addition, the bolus stops at random places, sometimes stops in the bottom waiting for the door to open. There's a real risk of aspirating food and liquid.

Another thing that happens is that mucous builds up and slows down the process even more.

A related problem that I have is that the base of my tongue doesn't work right, so food or liquid may leak while chewing, and it's not strong enough to create sufficient pressure in the esophagus to propel the bolus through the esophagus.

So, are you going to see a speech therapist or speech pathologist? Sounds strange, but they can give you exercises and a lot of helpful information that will make swallowing easier and safer.

Time for supper, so gotta go.

Jim

Hi Jim....gailfaith here again, but on a different subject! I got to thinking about you all that have esophagus problems. What happens when and if you have to vomit? I can't help but wonder as I've been told that there may come a time with my Myotonic Dystrophy that swallowing may become a problem.

I do not use any Beta Blockers

@jimhd
Good info! I have an appt with my Motility Gastro Dr but not til Dec. I've been dealing with this problem for YEARS! THEY finally did the 24 hr Manometry and PH study tests and that's how they found out. I was just told yesterday. I have been struggling with the choking on food, liquid or saliva (aspirating too) for years! It's very scary when I catch this, choke and can't catch my breath as I'm choking! Tell me on please, which specialists other than the Speech one, should I be seeing? The one I have is INEFFECTIVE ESOPHAGIAL MOTILITY.

@gailfaith

That issue hasn't come up yet, so I don't know. It's not something I would choose to do.

Jim

@darlia

I'm not familiar with "ineffective". The doctors I've seen are the neurologist, the speech therapist (pathologist) and two ENT doctors. The neurologist has suggested a specialist neuronasopharyngologist, which is a neurologist/ENT. That would mean an overnight trip to OHSU, in Portland. I live in central Oregon, close to many good medical services, but not all of them. And a long way from the nearest Mayo.

Things I do to be safe: drink small sips, inhaling first; eat small bites and chew well and long; try to lubricate the food; do focused swallowing; wait for it to move down, chasing it with a sip of liquid; then on to the next bite, etc. Sometimes, it takes 2 or 3 swallowing motions to create the necessary pressure in my esophagus.

My sister had severe swallowing issues, had Botox injections, surgeries, and then couldn't swallow at all, and had a peg tube. She would vomit at any food smell, so her husband cooked on his high end grill outside. She couldn't go to a restaurant, something they did a lot before her illness. An army of doctors never were able to make a diagnosis, and she died a few years ago. Of my 5 siblings, she was the closest to me, and it's still a big loss. Because I have some of the same problems as she, I know I worry that I'm headed down the same road.

Sorry. None of that was anything near encouraging.

I assume you've had head MRIs and CTs. One thing I learned is that I have silent reflux, which means asymptomatic. It happens without me knowing it. Interesting.

I think I've googled just about everything I came across, and continue to do so. The doctors know that I understand what they're saying, and I want all the details. Sometimes I feel badly about seeing some of them so often because I know they don't get rich off Medicare patients. I'm just thankful for them all.

Jim

Thanks!

Oh and here's a good one... I also have an "accessory" spleen! It's what the radiologist read on the MRI as a lesion. But then the Gastro doc told me about 10% of the population have this accessory spleen. I'm being referred to a oncology/hemotologist because the spleen I am told has to do with your blood. . It's always an adventure!