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Original poster

Pill stuck in esophagus

25 replies

Wheretheskyisblue · 05/04/2023 03:57

I swallowed 3 large calcium tablets at 8pm and think one or more may be stuck in my esophagus, I am getting back upper back pain and can feel something there. I have been unable to sleep and I have been trying to flush with water and warm liquids as well as eating bread.

Has anyone else had this? I am not sure what else to do, should I go to a&e?

OP posts:
GarlicGrace · 05/04/2023 04:05

Keep flushing it, maybe try to massage it down as well. As you haven't choked on it, you don't need to go to A&E. It will dissolve or break up eventually as digestion's already started. It sounds very uncomfortable - hope you get it moving soon!

Claricethecat45 · 05/04/2023 04:20

sometimes, a bit of food is needed to give it a shove! Water/fluids can go round it and doesn't move it

ArmitageShanked · 05/04/2023 04:24

It would have dissolved by now.

I have to take loads of tablets and what usually feels like a stuck one, is one that has gone down awkwardly and scratched your throat a bit. That's the pain and why it feels like something is still there.

Just my experience anyway.

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ShippingNews · 05/04/2023 04:27

Soft drinks are good - a few glasses of Lemonade should move it. Or hot water is good.

olympicsrock · 05/04/2023 04:27

armitage is right . It may have just scratched the oesopagus going down. For things that are stuck it helps to eat bread with the water to push it down.

Suzi888 · 05/04/2023 04:35

It'll dissolve. In future drink a glass of water to push them down.

Namaste6 · 05/04/2023 04:35

Try a hot cup of tea. It certainly sounds though like this is a sensation rather than the tablets still being there.

Original poster
Wheretheskyisblue · 05/04/2023 04:49

Thanks for the replies. I have been eating more bread and it is painful when it goes down at a certain point. I am not sure about it just being a sensation. Will try more tea and hope it dissolves. I am wondering about coke, maybe this would dissolve calcium.

OP posts:
SD1978 · 05/04/2023 05:03

Coke is usually recommended, better than other soft drinks with any stuck food.

Original poster
Wheretheskyisblue · 05/04/2023 05:04

Just called 111 and they said I should go to a&e, not sure what to do now, it doesn't seem serious enough for a&e to me plus I have 2 children and no childcare.

OP posts:
Makesense12 · 05/04/2023 07:46

Hi op what did you do are you ok.
I swolled huge tablet last night and wondered if it would get stuck!

Whatt · 05/04/2023 07:47

Eat dry bread

Original poster
Wheretheskyisblue · 05/04/2023 08:40

@Makesense12 I ended up getting a call back from an nhs 111 clinician who told me the advice to go to a&e was wrong. It is still stuck though and I am still forcing down bread which is painful. Seem to have developed nausea and diarreah too which the clinician thinks is related due to reflux. She has referred me to my gp.

OP posts:
NQOTDarling · 05/04/2023 09:04

oesophagus!

WhatWouldHopperDo · 05/04/2023 09:08

I don't know if this will work but when this happens with my very small tablet, eating an apple usually helps. I don't know how or why it works but it is a tip I picked up on MN and it works every time. (Not that it happens a lot now)

purpledalmation · 05/04/2023 09:30

More likely scratched the mucous membrane hence the soreness. Most tablets will dissolve with fluid and calcium isn't a dangerous one to get stuck. Ibuprofen and aspirin would actually cause some erosion so they are more dangerous.

purpledalmation · 05/04/2023 09:32

Dry bread and lots of warm water to flush it down. The diarrhoea can't be related. It doesn't make sense.

Original poster
Wheretheskyisblue · 05/04/2023 10:23

purpledalmation · 05/04/2023 09:30

More likely scratched the mucous membrane hence the soreness. Most tablets will dissolve with fluid and calcium isn't a dangerous one to get stuck. Ibuprofen and aspirin would actually cause some erosion so they are more dangerous.

I tested a couple of unused tablets a few hours ago and they still have not dissolved in water. I also put one in vinegar and a few hours later it has only taken the surface off.

The clinician thinks the diarreah could be related to a reaction to one of the ingrediants in the tablet.

Feeling really rough now, bread is making me feel more sick.

OP posts:
BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 05/04/2023 10:47

NQOTDarling · 05/04/2023 09:04

oesophagus!

What? Did you miss 99% of your comment out?

Surely2023IsTheYearForMyRainbowBaby · 05/04/2023 11:06

Drink some Coca Cola

NQOTDarling · 05/04/2023 12:46

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 05/04/2023 10:47

What? Did you miss 99% of your comment out?

Show quote history

No! Just offering the UK spelling 😀

threefiftysix · 30/07/2023 20:32

Op what happened in the end? I've just swallowed a small tablet and it seems to have got stuck and is very painful now

bctnop · 30/07/2023 23:15

I once gave myself pill induced oesophagitis due to taking an anti malaria tablet with not enough water and then laying down to sleep, so it sat in my oesophagus for a few hours. Very very painful (and lucky it wasn't more serious as some pills like anti malarials and ibuprofen can cause serious damage). Passed after a few days of not being able to eat or drink anything other than tiny amounts. Now I always drink a big glass of water with any pills and stay upright for a bit!

Original poster
Wheretheskyisblue · 31/07/2023 08:17

threefiftysix · 30/07/2023 20:32

Op what happened in the end? I've just swallowed a small tablet and it seems to have got stuck and is very painful now

It took a good 2 months to completely heal and I was on a very limited diet during this time. I even had a scope put down to check for issues. Fully recovered now though.

If yours was only a small tablet though hopefully it will clear quickly. I think something other than the calcium must have damaged it, the tablets also contained magnesium, zinc, copper,

OP posts:
threefiftysix · 31/07/2023 21:23

Thanks so much guys. It's much better today. Phew!

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