Trouble initiating a swallow

Posted by mogs1 @mogs1, Aug 6 12:38am

Swallow issues

In January this year, i developed something weird. I was eating and couldn't initiate my swallow, the tongue pushed the food back and that's it - as if the throat couldn't open. I panicked for sure, took a deep breath and was able to swallow. Since then I manually swallowed food and saliva for a few weeks as I was very afraid of choking. I kinda forgot about it, it went away for a few months - till a few days ago. I was eating and again couldn't swallow! I panicked and choked abit. Since then I again have to swallow my saliva every minute manually every waking hour of the day. I feel like the back of my tongue is very dry which makes me more anxious about choking not only on food but even on Saliva. It's extremely debilitating, makes me stressed and depressed. Even while talking i focus on my swallow and have to initiate all the time, sometimes I stumble over my words because my swallow has become so unnatural. Now it's happening daily a few times, if I don't think of forcefully swallow, it doesn't work.
I had a Barium swallow few months ago , when that problem wasn't present and it was normal. A endoscopy was also normal.
Has anyone had a similar situation going on?

I'm really devastated

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kpickowitz | @kpickowitz | Aug 6 11:19am

Yes, no resolution. It's like forgetting how to swallow. It's called intermittent oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 6 3:56pm

Hello @mogs1,

In another post (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastric-emptying-scan/), you mentioned having a gastric emptying issue. Have you mentioned this swallowing problem to the doctor who tested you for gastric emptying? If not, this might be a good first step.

It might also be good to have an appointment with an otolaryngologist. This is an ENT specialist who looks at the vocal cords and might check whether that area of the throat is affecting you. Many people with neurological disorders (like Parkinson's or MS) often have swallowing difficulties as well. As you can see, there are many possible causes for a swallowing issue.

It would be a good idea to bring this to your medical team and ask for referrals to specialists who might be able to pin down the cause.

Have you talked with your doctor about this yet?

janeilene | @janeilene | Aug 6 9:12pm

I have gastroparesis and reflux and this caused my esophagus to get strictures at the top and the bottom and makes it hard to swallow, sometimes while I'm eating it gives me the hiccups. I had to have my esophagus stretched twice last year. It doesn't hurt to have that done because they gave me a twilight sleep. I know when you try to swallow it gives you a panicy feeling. You should probably have this checked out if it continues to happen. Good luck!

mogs1 | @mogs1 | Aug 6 11:27pm

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @mogs1, In another post (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastric-emptying-scan/), you mentioned having a gastric emptying issue. Have you mentioned..." + (show)

@hopeful33250
Thanks for ur reply. The clinic i was in for gp testing is a radiology clinic, so they only do the testing. I had to push hard at my gp, to get a referral for that test and he only thinks the nausea is in my head :/
But I have a ENT appointment with a FEES test In a few days..maybe they can tell me more.
I read about the Neurological causes too, but I don't have any other symptoms for now...I hope it's not that

mogs1 | @mogs1 | Aug 6 11:28pm

In reply to @kpickowitz "Yes, no resolution. It's like forgetting how to swallow. It's called intermittent oropharyngeal dysphagia." + (show)

@kpickowitz
Exactly... you have the same issue?

mogs1 | @mogs1 | Aug 6 11:29pm

In reply to @janeilene "I have gastroparesis and reflux and this caused my esophagus to get strictures at the top..." + (show)

@janeilene
Thank you!
Hmm interesting.i have occasional reflux too, the thing is, my endoscopy in March was normal...but they would see the structures there, no?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 7 12:00am

In reply to @mogs1 "@hopeful33250 Thanks for ur reply. The clinic i was in for gp testing is a radiology..." + (show)

@mogs1
Will you let me know if the FEES test provides any answers for you?

mogs1 | @mogs1 | Aug 7 12:41am

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@mogs1 Will you let me know if the FEES test provides any answers for you?" + (show)

@hopeful33250
Of course:)

janeilene | @janeilene | Aug 7 2:12am

In reply to @mogs1 "@janeilene Thank you! Hmm interesting.i have occasional reflux too, the thing is, my endoscopy in March..." + (show)

@mogs1
I don't know how long it takes to develop, but it may have been 4 or 5 months between my two appointments with the gastro. I also have Barrett's esophagus caused by acid reflux for years and that's a pre-cancerous condition and they check that every couple of years. They can see how raw your esophagus gets and take biopsies at that time. All this stuff including the strictures needs to be checked up on and treated before it causes something a lot more serious. I hope you get this all taken care of because feeling like you're choking is a terrible feeling. Let me know how you do. Do you take anti-acids by the way?