Any idea what could be wrong with me. Getting scared

[addictedtolatte]

Hi I wonder if anyone has had these symptoms and could give me an idea what it may be. I am due at doctors on Thursday and don't want to use doctor google in the meantime.

Here goes. When I eat solid food I begin to struggle swallowing it half way through resulting in me gagging to dislodge it. This is very scary when it happens and I only eat soup at the moment to prevent this happening again. I get hot flushes and mood swings. Could this be anxiety?? I have a history of gastro problems ( helecabactor pylori) and heartburn all caused by me being unable to control my anxiety.

Sorry for long post. I am due to see docs of Thursday but just wondered if this could be something simple. Thankyou for reading

[Elibean]

Yes, it could certainly be anxiety. You're right to get it checked out, just in case, and if your anxiety is causing you this many symptoms it sounds as though you could do with some help in managing it anyway...really hope the GP is helpful, xx

[addictedtolatte]

Thankyou. You wouldn't think anxiety could be this powerful but this may be the case. Can't wait to see the doc and see if he can help. It's killing me seeing people eating and I can't :-(

[rempy]

There are physical causes too - pharyngeal webs, oesophageal diverticula, dysmotility syndromes. You need to talk through the small details to unpick what's most likely. You may need a look down with a camera, or a barium swallow.

Swallowing is very complex, and susceptible to anxiety, which can spiral, so accidentally gag once, some part of brain dwells on it, expects a gag next time, self-fulfilling gag next time etc.

I imagine, but know very little about it, that cognitive behavioural therapy may help if it is felt to be an expression of anxiety, but I wouldn't channel yourself down that route before the face to face appointment. If you go in saying "I think its anxiety" there's a chance the doctor will be tunnelled into that without a wider exploration.

So explain what happens carefully, and then answer questions.

Good luck.

[NomNomDePlum]

i think difficulty swallowing can be associated with GERD (reflux) which would fit with your other digestive systems. GERD can be fairly easily controlled by medication.

[addictedtolatte]

Thanks rempy what your saying makes a lot of sense. I will write down my symptoms and take them in with me as I seem to miss important information out when face to face with doctor.

[rempy]

Yes, do that. And write down any questions that you've already thought of.

You should (!!) be given an opportunity to just lay out a good portion of what's happening before getting specific questions.

[Haggisfish]

Have you tried taking anti acid medication like ranitidine? You can buy it from any pharmacist.

[addictedtolatte]

Thanks rempy I will do that. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.

Haggisfish I have not tried ranitide but will give it go. I use gavisgon. I was given lanzoprazole but this causes excessive dryness so no good for me :-(

[gingeroots]

Acid reflux isn't caused by anxiety ,so don't feel that it's somehow you're fault or something you can control .
Ongoing reflux is something that needs a visit to the GP and shouldn't be ignored . You might get on better with omeprazole or ranatadine .

With your symptoms the GP should refer you for an endoscopy within 2 weeks . And they should have a good idea what's going on and tell you some info on the day you have it .

If the GP doesn't refer you immediately for this please ask why and push for it .

Let us know how you get on .

[gingeroots]

How did you get on at the doctor's ?

[apermanentheadache]

My money is on hyperthyroidism with a goitre.

How did you get on?

[gingeroots]

Mmm - and that would probably account for some of the anxiety .

Fingers crossed it gets sorted .

[addictedtolatte]

Hi I went the doctors they have put me on an urgent referral to gastro clinic due to 2 and half stone weight loss. I had no idea I had list that much.

The doctor has given me a bunch of forms for blood tests which I will have done tomorrow.

Asper I am kind of hoping it is hyperthyroidism so I can get on with some treatment as this is terrifying me. My tongue and bottom lip is randomly swelling and my jaw is acheing :-(

Thankyou for your advice

[apermanentheadache]

Thanks for coming back and updating.
Sounds very much like thyroid to me. I hope it is, as it's easily treatable.
Hope you feel better soon.
Poor you with the swollen tongue.

[addictedtolatte]

Thanks asper :-)

I've just noticed my blood test forms haven't got thyroid function test mentioned. Can you ask doctor for this test to be added on or do you think it would show up on the other tests somehow?

[apermanentheadache]

Really? Nothing that says TFT, TSH, or FT4 or anything like that? I don't think there's any harm in mentioning it to the doctor and asking whether it's worth testing for. Obvs your GP has the whole picture re. your health, and so I might be barking up completely the wrong tree!

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[addictedtolatte]

Hi I spoke to doctor this morning and she has added thyroid function to the lists of tests. Hope it gets sorted sort am so hungry!!!!!!

[apermanentheadache]

Are you hungry all the time? Because if so, and you're losing weight, that sounds like pretty classic hyperthyroid to me not a doctor

[addictedtolatte]

Hi yes I had an increased appetite for about a year now but maintained the same weight. Just the last 8 weeks the swallowing issue has arisen so not been able to get the volume of food down my body is craving causing the weight loss I think.

Just had my bloods done this morning come back had a bowl of soup and still hungry. Thanks for all your advice you've probably been more use than the doctor.

[gingeroots]

That's a lot of wight to loose ,I'm so sorry you're going through this . sounds like your GP is on it though .

I know it sounds wrong but crunchy stuff can be easier to eat than soft/spongy stuff if you have trouble swallowing - toast ,pretzels etc .

Can you manage scrambled egg ,fish ,cauliflower cheese ,drinks like coffee or chocolate made with full milk ? You could chill drinks if too much in this heat to think about drinking hot .

Ice cream ? Jellies made with milk ?

Tinned fruit ? Porridge ? Cheese souffle ? Pancakes ?

The slimfast drinks and soups ,though meant for dieters ,at least contain a balance of nutrients and might help alongside any real food you can get down .

Mashed potato with butter and cheese ? You really need to get some calories down you so although it sounds unhealthy sometimes you just need to eat stuff like that .

Let us know how you get on .

[addictedtolatte]

Hi thanks for your advice.

I was managing porridge but my body is rejecting anything now. I can manage 2 glasses of water a day. Going to get an emergency appointment at doctors tomorrow and see if they can speed up he blood test results.

[gingeroots]

Hi addictedtolatte - what do you mean your body is rejecting anything ?

Are you vomiting ? Or is it the food getting stuck and then you struggling to bring it back up ? Is there a lot of foamy or stringy saliva with it ?

Feeling very worried about you . Are you on your own ?

Glad you're going to see GP ,but tbh am thinking you should go to A&E . Still if you can hang on to see GP it's probably better .

[addictedtolatte]

Hi gingeroots when I swallow as little as a spoonful of porridge my tongue swells, I become shakey and breathless. So I think it's my mind stopping me from eating now due to these frightening symptoms. I was about to go to a and e before then my symptoms settled a bit. Just trying to get through the night then straight the doctors in the morning.

Thankyou so much.

[2old2beamum]

Hi addictedtolatte

Have been following your thread and like gingeroots I am concerned for you. PLEASE if you get any worse go to A&E and please tell your GP everything

XX

[gingeroots]

what a horrible time you're having addictedtolatte . It's very scary to choke ,no wonder you are frightened .I guess now you're having tests it must seem even more scarey !

I hope you can tell the GP what is going on and that they are sympathetic . Do you think some kind of sedative might help ?

I hope you're not on your own .

Sending you hugs and