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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any GPs here? DH can't swallow. What to expect at appt tomorrow?

54 replies

HisNameIsRedwing · 22/04/2018 18:40

Planning to phone the GP first thing tomorrow as DH (45) is struggling to swallow. It came on suddenly half way during dinner yesterday evening (24 hours ago) - he said he felt like he was choking whenever he tried to swallow anything and he hasn't had anything other than a small amount of ice cream and regular sips of squash since then. Worryingly, he says he's not feeling particularly hungry either.

He said he's had similar, but not so severe, symptoms a couple of times in the last 2 weeks. A couple of years ago he had a lot of acid reflux, which was diagnosed as being related to a hernia. Otherwise he is very fit and healthy, doesn't smoke and isn't overweight.

My own dad dies of cancer of the oesophagus a few years ago, which started the same way, so we're feeling a little anxious, though obviously we're not panicking as we also know it might be something much less serious. However, in my dad's case, it took a few months to get a diagnosis, by which time it was too late to operate, so I'm not complacent either.

Are there any GPs out there who can tell me what we should expect to happen when DH sees the doctor tomorrow? What tests will they run? Will he be automatically referred for cancer screening as a precaution?

OP posts:
AnotherDunroamin · 22/04/2018 19:34

Another one saying get him to A&E - for reassurance of nothing else. I have a hiatal hernia and sometimes get this (although usually only for a few hours at a time), so it could just be that, or it could be something more serious. The only way to know is to get it checked out.
While you're waiting to be seen in A&E it might be worth trying some antacids (if you haven't already) in case it is hernia-related; might alleviate his discomfort a little.

TheFormidableMrsC · 22/04/2018 19:39

I also suggest immediate medical attention, skip 111, straight to A&E. This happened to my mother, completely out of the blue, at a dinner party. She ignored the symptom, didn't equate it with her ongoing heartburn/indigestion. Unfortunately ignored it for far too long, as did her GP. It was cancer. I don't wish to alarm at all, but as you already have experience of this, I really wouldn't wait. There is also the possibility of Barratts Oesophagus which can cause similar symptoms. I truly hope that there is a really simple and easily treated explanation for your DH. However, please don't wait a moment more. Good luck OP Flowers

Thishatisnotmine · 22/04/2018 19:44

Another thing, is he stressed? It could be a panic attack. I mistook inability to swallow for allergies (which I also have) but it was a panic attack. Just different to the attacks I knew I was having. But I would also follow pp advice an seek out of hours help

Lovemusic33 · 22/04/2018 19:45

I would go to A&E, I had it happen to me and had to call a doctor out (back in the days where they would come out), I was given an injection to relax the muscles and bring down swelling, mine was due to a bad throat infection.

SirVixofVixHall · 22/04/2018 19:45

Hope you are in A and E now and that all is ok.

QOD · 22/04/2018 19:48

💐

frumpety · 22/04/2018 19:52

Another nurse here who says seek medical advice asap. Looked after a chap once with the same symptoms , turns out he had a piece of food lodged in his oesophagus , so could be completely benign. Hope you get the help you need soon Flowers

Leckhamptonmummy · 22/04/2018 19:52

Hope he’s ok

gamerchick · 22/04/2018 19:53

I also ignored the acid reflux and have to take daily Omeprazole now or I can’t swallow solid food. Well I can but it gets agonisingly stuck and has to be coaxed with lots of fast water.

Don’t ignore that shit.

Hope he gets it sorted OP.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 22/04/2018 19:55

Hope he's ok and you're being seen soon

Iputthescrewinthetuna · 22/04/2018 19:58

Hope all id Ok OP

AnnaMagnani · 22/04/2018 20:06

Go to A+E now where he'll prob be seen by ENT who will look down his throat.

If he suddenly can't eat anything at all it's an emergency - don't hang around waiting for an appointment tomorrow.

Most likely he hurt his throat on whatever he ate for dinner yesterday.

Musicaltheatremum · 22/04/2018 20:09

Yes get to ED via 111 tonight. GP can't do anything. I've seen a few cases like this. Much the same as others have said.

Original poster
HisNameIsRedwing · 22/04/2018 20:11

Thanks to everyone who's replied. Flowers

It took me a little while to persuade him to phone 111, but he did eventually. He spoke to a call-handler, then a nurse and then a doctor, and they've now referred himl to our local out-of-hours clinic. If nothing else, it has saved him a sleepless night of worry as he was obviously feeling quite anxious - he's just left the house a lot more cheerful than he was an hour or so ago.

OP posts:
WhatsGoingOnEh · 22/04/2018 20:11

I had this recently. I could swallow fluids fine but Good felt like it was getting lodged. Even tiny lumps of food seemed to feel stuck.

I got a walk-in appt with my GP and they referred me for an endoscopy within 2 weeks. Everything was fine - it was anxiety. As soon as I knew there was nothing actually wrong, my symptoms vanished.

Until I had the endoscopy, I was living on SlimFast, Complan and soup. I lost s stone in 3 weeks! Sadly, that's all back on now...

I am sending you both very positive good luck vibes.

hapagirl · 22/04/2018 20:12

I also say A&e now. I’ve just been through a stroke with my father and the quicker he is seen (even to confirm it’s not a stoke) the better. Good luck. I know it’s scary.

AsTheMilesTheyDisappear · 22/04/2018 20:15

Good luck. I've had this and it turned out to be stuck food. Horrible feeling but thankfully nothing serious.

greathat · 22/04/2018 20:15

Glad he's getting seen today

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 22/04/2018 20:23

How is your DH OP ?
What a worrying time for you.💐

dementedma · 22/04/2018 20:23

I had Quinsey once which left me unable to swallow. it's horrible and really frightening.

Liara · 22/04/2018 20:26

Dh had this once and it turned out to be an infection in his tongue. A dose of AB sorted him completely.

clairethewitch70 · 22/04/2018 20:58

I have dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Very difficult to swallow fluids, food not quite so bad. Not eaten today and just a few sips of coffee as symptoms v. bad today. He may need a video fluoroscopy (swallowing contrast type medium). He should be checked out to see the cause. Mine is due to a pooling at the back of my throat, and not going down when I swallow. Has he by any chance started any new meds? The speech therapist I am under says mine may be caused by long term opioid usage.

ZX81user · 22/04/2018 21:02

I had this the other day, when i tried to swallow my gullet seemed to be spasming and I couldn't.After lots of fluids it eased up so i think it may have been dehydration

Member984815 · 23/04/2018 08:22

This happens my husband . He gets food stuck it's to do with the acid reflux he takes nexium for it now. It's very scary when it happens I usually give him something very fizzy like ginger ale or soda water to try to dislodge it. He has had investigations into it twice . He has had it for about 12 years

LoniceraJaponica · 23/04/2018 08:30

Please try not to worry. If it is something sinister and is caught early it can be dealt with.

OH had oesophagus problems, was operated on 3 years ago and is fine.

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