Some food getting stuck in esophagus

This sounds like Acalasia (the valve at the top of the stomach not opening properly when you swallow). A wonderfuly horrible rare condition to have. Most GPs have never heard of it and will try and fob you off with things they have heard about.

Your friend needs to see a Upper GI specialist (who will know about it) and to have a endoscopy (camera down the throat) to take a look inside.

If Acalasia is confirmed then there are things they can do to help.

Hi Emmy, it sounds as though it could be Achalasia, my own personal experience was that it did start very gradually. I found bread to be the most difficult, especially the processed bread like warbertons toasty loaf as it just binds together into a putty like lump. So I fully understand that your friend finds brioche easier. It’s very gradual, I’d swallow and, it would make my eyes water, people would say “has it gone down the wrong way” The first thing that I put in my mouth at breakfast such as toast would burn the roof of my mouth intense, burning that even made my teeth ache. After a short time it would go and, I could carry on eating. Then it just became much worse with anything that I ate, I was regurgitating most of the time and, loosing weight. It was a hell of a ride as doctors diagnosed me with stress, sychosymatic and, eventually I was so very Ill and, just under 6st. My mum got the the doctor to come and, see me at home and, he told her that I was an anorexic and, I should be admitted for pshychiatric treatment. I was starving, malnourished and, desperate so I agreed. I was only 19 years old at that time and, the humiliation and, being turned into a zombi with drugs, Valium ect. The most awful experience of my life and, they were pumping me with medication to induce appetite and, despite my pleas of telling them I was physically choking and, starving, they felt it was all in my head. I was desperate and, to this day I can’t say where my strength came from but, after being a frightened 19yr old girl on a pshyciatric unit for adults I just walked out with £2 to my name and, I took myself to our medical centre, changed my GP and, registered with a GP who I am still with. I walked in and, said if I am really mentally ill then just please help me, he listened. He referred me to an upper GI consultant who ordered a barium swallow and, endoscopy. The surgeon thought he’d hit gold as he diagnosed the Achalasia and, I could have kissed his feet. I was tube fed to get my weight back up prior to having the open cardio myatomy, the first he’d ever done. Two years down the line and, my oesophagus had narrowed again as the sphincter muscle had not been cut enough so he referred me to a professor who was then leading in the research for Achalasia. He performed an open Hellers and, I still had to eat slowly, and grazing little and, often is the best way for your friend to eat. Anybody with Achalasia gets used to eating a lot of cold food ha ha. I have suffered with GERD since 1987 but, I was able to eat fairly normal with very little to no choking up until 2014 when there was no function in my oesophagus at all. I’ve had tests recently repeated and, unfortunately I now have Barrats as well and, my digestive system is shot and, therefore all they can do is an oesophagetomy which will happen fairly soon now as it’s causing breathing difficulties as my stomach is so distended. My experience prior to diagnosis was hell and, it affected me emotionally and, mental memories that will stay with me forever but, I wanted to share this because until I came upon this site I have never spoken or, known anybody else with this desease. My point I’m really trying to make is don’t allow your friend to be past from pillar to post and, made to feel crazy. It is very real and, a difficult desease to manage. Insist and, insist that they see an upper GI consultant and, ask for a barium swallow test and, most importantly a manametry swallow test as this is the golden standard in diagnosing Achalasia. Nobody should be put through hell as stress is a killer for anybody with Achalasia, they don’t mix. I’m 35 years down the line now and, I’m sure most of us with Achalasia over time find our own little nacs of helping food down if it gets stuck whether it’s breathing calmly, don’t panic and, if it’s really stuck I find drinking just makes food come up. Sparkling water helps me a lot little sips between swallowing food. Little and, often is the way to go in a calm environment with nobody panicking because they think they may choke. Best advice is to insist, insist on seeing a consultant and, getting these tests ordered. I really hope it isn’t Achalasia because it’s for life and, can affect your quality of life if it’s at a bad stage. Surgery is done laparoscopically and, surgeons are much more up to speed with Achalasia although I still often have to explain to doctors and, nurses what it is. I apologise for my soapbox rant but, I would hate for anybody to go through the mill when a couple of simple tests is all that’s needed. I hope I have been able to help with my story and, I send all my very best wishes to your friend and, hope they get the tests that need to be done. Take care and, would you keep in touch to let me know how things are, Jan x

There are other possibilities but they would almost certainly need a specialist to work out the precise cause.

I agree with the posts who suggest achalasia.  Please encourage your friend to arrange immediately for a consult with a Gastroenterologist.  Would probably need to be done through her family physician.  I've had achalasia for over 30 years.  Took two years to identify problem as family physicians not familiar at all with the condition.  Once diagnosed by a gastro (after numerous other tests to eliminate such things as thyroid), a simple balloon dilation took care of the problem for another 15 years, then a second dilation.  Don't delay as your friend could possibly end up in an emergency department with a severe blockage and that is not fun.

Few tips in the meantime.  Sit straight when you eat - standing up is better even.  Eat small meals.  Avoid eating before bedtime.  Lots of fluids with meals.  Avoid foods that get stuck - steak, pork chops, even if chewed or in small bites are bad.  (I had the same experience with breads - seems to be the texture.)  Try and get in a few walks each day.  May have to sleep in a somewhat "sitting" position if food seems to not be going down.

I truly suffered the two years it took for diagnosis.  Very little known about achalasia.  Lost significant weight, would go out for dinner with friends and would have to leave the table with tears running down my face.  Please tell your friend she doesn't need to go through this.  And if physician unsympathetic - find another one who knows about the disease!!  Good luck - you are a good friend to be concerned.

Hi Emmyx,  Thanks for posting this.  It seems that you and I are "old" folks when it comes to achalasia.  I was diagnosed with achalasia in 1971.  In January '71 I had given birth to my second child.  During my pregnancy I was unable to eat more than just a tiny bit of food without it coming back up.  My husband would plan a meal out but I would usually wind up in the bathroom getting rid of what I had just eaten.  Of course, he was not pleased.  Even after my daughter was born I would wake up at night with food coming up into my nose and mouth.  My doctor put me in the hospital for tests.  I was fortunate to have lived in a city (in the US) that had a medical university.  After a barium swallow and an endoscopy I was diagnosed with achalasia.  The head of the thoractic surgery department performed a heller myotomy and instructed me to be sure to wash my meals down with plenty of liquids since my esophagus had been stretched to the point that it could no longer push the food down.  As you know, back then very few doctors even knew about this problem.  For a couple of months I ate what my children were eating--I cooked food for the family and used the blender to puree it for myself and the toddlers.  Things went well for about 30 years, but I started having problems again and around 2000 had to have another Heller myotomy, this time with a fundal plycation (part of my stomach was wrapped around the top of my stomach to help eliminate stomach acid from entering my esophagus.  That helped for about 5 years but I started having a lot of indigestion.  I was now living in another part of the country than I was when I had my first surgery so I was referred to a doctor associated with a teaching hospital about 2 hours away from my home.  I now have a "megaoesophagus."  The only other alternative for me now is to have my esophagus removed, which my doctor is hesitant to do because of the risks associated with the surgery.  I hope you continue to have no more problems with your achalasia.  Thanks again for sharing.