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I'm not sure what to do.. Is this something serious?

Posted , 3 users are following.

LeporeN
LeporeN

I suffer from health anxiety and GERD. My one problem that I have a huge problem dealing with is the feeling that some food got caught in my throat and it feels like I'm choking or can't breathe right. I'm so worried right now, most foods I eat like cereal will seem like the food piece is stuck in the middle of my throat and it's happening right now and I'm panicking because I feel like I can't breathe right, it's so hard to tell whether something is actually stuck in my esophagus or not. I went to the urgent care close by me or go to the ER since I think the food is stuck in my throat and they will do an x-ray on my neck and the picture shows up nothing mostly and say it's probably my anxiety which makes me feel embarrassed on wasting their time. How can I tell myself that I will be okay and it's nothing too serious?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • ChrisLancs83
    ChrisLancs83 LeporeN

    Posted

    Sounds like Pseudodysphagia. If you have been X-rayed on multiple occasions and there was nothing there that should provide you with some re-assurance that there is not physical issue to deal with.

    Look into the condition by name and see what advice and help is available.

    • LeporeN
      LeporeN ChrisLancs83

      Posted

      Thank you for the response! And definitely going to look into it and see if I can book with a therapist.

  • LeporeN
    LeporeN

    Posted

    Hi Lepore, I understand what you're going through, I have the exact same symptom as you, but I'm doing much better now when my doctor prescribed me to take PPI. Talk to your doctor about this and he will put you on some medication for your symptom. I know the symptoms are scary. but once you keep on top of your medication, that feeling will eventually go away soon, will take some time though, depending how long you had GERD for, but hope you feel better soon. Remember, it's just your anxiety as well thinking your life is in danger because of the food stuck feeling, but you're fine, as long as you're eating, breathing and talking normally, then nothing is stuck. Take care and hope this message helped out and gave you some relief.

  • sasical72
    sasical72 LeporeN

    Posted

    Hi

    I had this really really bad for a long time. Every time I ate I chocked on my food, it would just stick in my throat and not go up or down and I would have to drink loads of water for it to go down.

    A dietitian told me that it could be lack of acid rather than excess and to try taking Betaine. I took it and after 2 days the symptoms vanished. I told her and she said that yes, if it is lack of acid it works very quickly. Look it up.

    Oh and you can also Google "baking soda stomach acid test".

    So after months and months of suffering I sorted it in a couple of days. I wish you the same luck!

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