Dh has food stuck, not chocking but can't eat or dislodge it

[Bornfreebutincovidchains]

He has this '' thing '' where occasionally food gets stuck. He can breathe, obviously, it's just usually it moves within hours and Rarely over night.. He's had it overnight, anyone have this and have any tips?.

He's bounced on trampolines, puked copious times...

He's actually got hospital appt for this later this month.

Would diaazopam help to relax the gullet?

He needs to discuss this with a GP at the very least. My practice are doing telephone assessments. Food boluses can get stuck for a variety of reasons (as previous posters have mentioned) but if he’s struggling even to drink it requires medical attention.

Well I braved the shop, and the moment I my mask is the shop assistant breaths out and sighs right next to me!

Got coke to try but he's sceptical!

@EgonSpengler2020

Why Coke please, I got it!

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but look up eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and see if his symptoms align.

Food frequently gets stuck with EoE due to inflammation.

My DH has this - as The Fallen Madonna says it’s Eosinophilic Esophagitis. He tries to control his with diet but when it’s chronic takes a steroid and omeprazole.

@Y0ubetterwerk

Strangely enough before I found out I had an under active thyroid, I had the same chocking / food getting stuck. I am really careful with food now

@VettiyaIruken please can I urge you to see a GP about this.

Coke wont dissolve it but some people find a fizzy drink helps. Maybe its because it makes you burp but it is not a cure. If its still stuck is he able to eat and drink anything and is he still being sick. Being sick could be because the food isnt getting past. Do not give him diazepam without seeking medical advice. The area around it could also get bruised. Have you contacted a doctor or rang 111.

Does he also get reflux (burning, indigestion) type pain, or is it purely a blockage? Did I read that he did indeed have a camera down which showed nothing? Either way, he needs a camera again! Has he been checked for H pyloric?

I've had intermittent reflux since being a child, but couldn't explain it to my parents except as a burning throat. As an adult, rarely, I'd get food ball up into my throat. Mainly things like hot chips and very fresh bread that mushed up to a lump. I'd wait a minute or so, or sip water to help it pass down, but it was painful.

I had a hiatus hernia, where the stomach comes above the diaphragm. It can move up and down, hence I didn't get this after every meal. I also had a test for H pyloric via a stool sample, but some places use a breath test. This was positive, and was treated with omeprazole and 2 antibiotics,(triple therapy) which cleared it.

That was 2yrs ago, and since I was treated for H pyloric, I've never had the balling of food in my throat! IF he only gets the blockage though, its still worth considering H Pyloric, but might be a stricture as others have suggested.

Is definitely food blockage. Culprit was sausage!

Still blocked.
Whatever he drinks sits on the top then comes back up

He should have phoned the GP earlier. He’s going to need help with this - probably an endoscopy. He could potentially get one as an emergency (dh does them) this would be referred as a food bolus. The GP would need to ring the hospital and organise. If he can manage overnight then he needs to ring first thing in the morning. If he can’t manage he will have to ring out of hours.

When DH has an episode it only ever resolves itself by doing down the gullet rather than back up. And funnily enough (not really but) his worst blockage ever was sausage - nearly 24 hours.

Thanks missy.

He was absolutely adamant he did not want to call the doctor. We can only call twice a day for a chat.

Touch wood he's still managing.
I'll call for him if it's not gone soon.
I'm quite cross to be honest.

Obviously I'm getting concerned about now.
I'm terrified about hospital. And dh in one.

Eg... The bin men come, I take a plastic bag, pull the bin back in using the bag then using it, lift up the bin lid and put it in.

I still wash my hands after.

Dh just grabbed the bin then touched his phone straight away.

I've had this for years too, had endoscopy a few years ago that showed nothing. I could normally get it up by being sick but even water would get stuck on top of the blockage, it's an awful feeling. I ended up in hospital last November as that time I couldn't remove the blockage and couldn't get any fluids down. They gave me IV Omeprazole as well as fluids as I was dehydrated. I honestly thought I was never going to be able to swallow properly again. It took nearly 3 days and eventually it cleared itself. I've been taking omprezole since and it's like a wonder drug for me! Hope he feels better soon but might be worth a trip to the doctors x

No useful help at all but what a shame; this sounds awful. Hope all gets sorted soon

He’s probably ok for overnight, but he must get it sorted tomorrow if it’s still there.

He's been given omerapozlpole but he doesn't take it regularly. The doctor gave it whilst waiting for this consultant appointment.

Thanks levatrice!

I've been so worried about having to go into hospital!

Might be useless but could he try taking a mouthful of coke and gargling with his head tipped back to get it in his throat the quickly bending forward toward the sink to let it all out. Give it a couple of goes.

Also- sounds silly but try doing a handstand.

Sorry- a handstand with you massaging the part of his throat he can feel the piece of food in.

He's been given omerapozlpole but he doesn't take it regularly

He should be taking it every day.

I wasn't going to write this earlier, but I will now. Several years ago DH had problems with food getting stuck in his oesophagus. He also had suffered from reflux for many years. After an endoscopy revealed that he had pre-cancerous cells, he had his entire oesophagus removed. A post op biopsy showed that the pre-cancerous cells had developed into microscopic cancer cells. Fortunately the cancer was entirely contained, and he needed no further treatment. He is fit and well, and should get the five year all clear later on this year.

I entreat anyone who has problems with swallowing and or reflux to please go and see their GP. Reflux that occurs over a long time can cause changes to the lining of the oesophagus, and can increase the risk of cancer. Never ignore these sympoms.

As a PP said, could be a hernia. My DH has one and was told this is what causes his occasional choking episodes.

He was told to lose weight (he lost 2 stone) and to take omeprazole to reduce the reflux.

It makes me really anxious when it happens and I can see the panic in his eyes when he feels it coming on.

Bit of advice if he hasn't tried it already. Keep water with him at mealtimes. Everytime. If he feels it coming on a quick gulp of water should push it down. It's when he can't get a drink quick enough that we hit problems.

The sound of him hiccuping and trying to cough it up is horrific. He also spits out a lot of saliva. The worst we ever had it was in Barcelona and we had to have an emergency doctor out who gave him a relaxant and diazepam (?) which stopped it. It absolutely wipes him out physically once it passes.

Definitely get that referral. If DH keeps getting episodes he will have to have surgery to remove the hernia. But losing the weight really did help.

I have dysphagia on an almost daily basis - happens when I start eating and usually only with proteins. I now chew every bite like a maniac and have a sip of fizzy drink (mainly sparkling water) to wash the food down after every bite until the spasms dissipate. It can be very alarming and makes me feel like I’m going to suffocate.