1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Swallowing difficulty

Posted , 10 users are following.

jeanne81532
jeanne81532

Hi all, just wondering if anyone else has had something I've noticed the last couple of weeks. While I'm eating I can go to swallow a mouthful, and nothing happens, and I have to try again before I can manage to swallow it. Hope I've explained that properly. Any ideas? Does anyone know if it is part of fibro? x

3 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

Prev
  • emlou487
    emlou487 jeanne81532

    Posted

    I have had swallowing difficulties since the 1st March and still no further knowing what the problem is.I have fibromyalgia,but have had this for 6 years and no problems until now.

    It all started whilst I was eating a meal,I found my mouth went really dry and I lost the ability to swallow anything,it was very scary as I thought I was going to choke.

    I went to my GP after a few days as it was getting worse and I was starting to panic.They put me on diazepam to calm me down and told me it should settle down in a couple of weeks.A week later I went back as I was unable to swallow anything but soup and liquid,they sent me away again and told me come back in another week,which I did.They finally sent me an urgent referal through to the hospital for an endoscopy.Had that on the 8th April (the worst experience of my life) and it showed a paraoesphageal hernia (rolling).They said I needed a barium swallow test to confirm.By this stage I had lost a stone in weight.

    The appointment came through for the barium test-middle of May.

    They then said the test was clear and it was not a hernia!

    I have since been trying to get an appointment with the consultant who sent me for it and did the endoscopy,which has been a complete battle!My GP has been writing constantly to him and finally this week I received an appointment-15th September!

    I am also going for a chest X-Ray today as I am now having times when I cannot catch my breath and it feels as though I am going to stop breathing!

    I have times when I can swallow certain foods now,but I have to eat very slowly,the biggest thing of all is just trying not to panic,easier said then doone I know,but unfortunatley,you are made to live with it,as quite honestly,nobody seems very concerned that you are unable to eat!

    • deb97936
      deb97936 emlou487

      Posted

      Are you possibly getting to stressed and fatigued with it, that your having panic attacks/anxiety episodes??   Being so very tired and fatigued with the stress etc, can make it difficult to get a good breath and sometimes you feel like your not going to breathe again..  All you need to do is have a really good night sleep to help relieve that issue, if that's what it is for you.  I use a sleeping tablet.  Before that, my friend would give me a glass of Canterbury Cream, cheaper version of a Baileys alcoholic drink..hahaha..  One glass and I'm asleep.  But because I'm not a drinker I don't turn to alcohol.  A good good sleep will do wonders to help...   anxiety is a real bugger.  I once got an anxiety band round my neck..  I didn't know what the heck it was for ages...
    • emlou487
      emlou487

      Posted

      Ok,so just an update.My x-ray came back clear!

      Since posting though,I have been having major breathing issues,I ended up in A&E as it got so bad,I had a panic attack!

      This was the 12th August,I could not take a deep intake of breath,still couldn't on the 13th,I went back to Doctors who just said it was anxiety-(I DO NOT THINK SO) I was only sat watching tv when it happened!

      Been struggling since then and again on the 18th and another major attack on the 21st.

      Does anyone have any ideas what it could be??

    • kaz_40
      kaz_40 emlou487

      Posted

      Hi emlou487 Fibro throws many symptoms at us as we know. 1 of the symptoms is breathlessness.I have had it fin the past it lasted for quiet a while.would it be possible for you to see another gp, I would either ask to speak to a gp or go back and see them again tell them how you are? take care 
    • emlou487
      emlou487 kaz_40

      Posted

      Difficulty breathing has only just started a few weeks ago,I have had fibro for 6 years.I think it due to my hernia,just want it sorting out sad
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 emlou487

      Posted

      Morning Emlou; I am just catching up on the forum, and your problem/s.....can you tell me exactly "explain in full", what is exactly happening......with your breathing, is it difficult getting Air in, or more trouble getting it out.....this in itself is Very important, as this shows 2 completely different conditions???........as for your trouble eating/swallowing......if not an hernia, it Maybe a symptom of Fibro, as many of us have trouble getting food/fluids past our throat...(I have found that by pushiing against my Cricoid...the area between the The Gap of cartilage below our Larynx (adam's apple), this aids the passage of foods/fluids without the choking......).......is your food going past this spot and getting blocked lower down/or at the spot that I mentioned???.....Bron
    • emlou487
      emlou487 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Hi Bron,

                   I cannot seem to tkae a deep intake of breath,it is as if something stops it.Even when yawning,I cannot seem to fully yawn?

      I can breath out fine,but last night I was sat down and my heart just suddenly started racing really fats and I had to slow my breathing right down to keep calm!

      I just wish I knew waht was causing it!

      Em x

    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 emlou487

      Posted

      Hi Emlou;   usually when having trouble getting air In, it can be a sign of Asthma (not able to breathe out is Emphysema....due to anything)......did your heart race because you couldn't get breathe in.....feeling scared, or both at same time?    I can see why the ED treated it as a Panic attack (and did it settle with breathing in and out into a paper bag?).....but if the heart racing comes on first, and then the difficulty breathing, you may need to speak to an Internal Physician......?   If you feel it is the difficulty of breathing in (and not being able to get enough air in), have you tried using a Ventolin Inhaler?   i am not sure where you live, but in Australia, we can buy them over the counter at a Pharmacist's discretion....this may help...it Widens the air-tubes, and allows for easier breathing (I, myself, have been having a bit of this same issue lately.....finding as if I can't  get enough air into my lungs.....a bit short of breathe....and use a ventolin puffer).......perhaps if this is your case, you maybe able to trial same????........Bron
  • sylvia17461
    sylvia17461 jeanne81532

    Posted

    Hi Jeanne I would be interested too in how you are doing now ? Any improvement with the swallowing ? 
    • jeanne81532
      jeanne81532 sylvia17461

      Posted

      Hi Sylvia, yes I guess it has improved. It was something that only happened occasionally, although had happened a few times in a short space of time when put up the original post. It must have improved because I hadn't even thought about it recently, till I got your post! Gentle hugs xx
    • sylvia17461
      sylvia17461 jeanne81532

      Posted

      Oh well that's good one less thing to worry about so how are you in general?pain ?? Foggy brain  fatigue etc 
    • jeanne81532
      jeanne81532 sylvia17461

      Posted

      Pain not too bad at the moment. I had my right shoulder injected a few weeks ago for impingement syndrome, and at the moment it's much better although I am aware that often the effects don't last. I've also had my ingrown toenails operated on this week which was painful for a day or two. I have to do daily dressings for a week, but mustn't get them wet (apart from at dressing change) until they are completely healed (4-8 weeks) so not able to have a bath or swim which I am sad about! I love my baths with magnesium flakes- so soothing, and try to swim with my daughter once a week. She has Hypermobility syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, so we both love being in the water. Brain fog... constantly! And fatigue. But in general not too bad. How are you? xx
    • sylvia17461
      sylvia17461 jeanne81532

      Posted

      Oh -pain not too bad that's a relief isn't it constant pain just wears you down hmm foggy brain thinking straight , your mind just goes to mush awful but no one understands when you try to explain .my daughter suffers with her big toe ingrown nail she leaves it far too long before going to chiropodist and is so painful hers is down the side they told her you can have some kind of acid treatment which stops it growing back in but quite expensive so has other priorities . Ehlers danos syndrome ,that's a new one to me .?? The fatigue I'm sure people think you're just over tired hah if only! I am doing really well feel the best since I became ill self medicating as NO help from GPS doctors or so called specialists ! Take care
    • jeanne81532
      jeanne81532 sylvia17461

      Posted

      Yes that's the treatment I had to stop the nails from in growing again, both sides of both big toes. Had it done on nhs, GP referred me to podiatry service. Ehlers Danlos (EDS) is a collagen condition causing loose ligaments as well as a whole range of other symptoms including fatigue, so we understand each other well. Gentle hugs xx
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.