Food getting stuck in oesophagus

[OneGreyBiscuit]

Hi just wanted some advice as I don't want to speak to anyone I know as I don't want them to think I'm paranoid. For about a year now when I eat certain foods (bread/toast) mostly, I can get a very uncomfortable feeling as it feels stuck halfway down. Recently I've been getting pains that feel a cross between chest pain and indigestion and hiccuping quite a lot. My brother passed of pancreatic cancer in August at 55. I noticed he hiccuped a great deal. I know any replies are going to say go the GP but getting an appointment is a nightmare and I'm worried where it will lead.

Hi OP, please go to your GP but try not to worry too much. They will probably want you to have a flexible endoscopy to have a look what's going on. It's much more likely to be something like oesophagitis and hiatus hernia which I have also. Do have the sedation with the endoscopy! I manage it with diet, recognising which foods and drinks may be triggers and making sure I chew properly and don't inhale my food! Good luck.

And I'm very sorry for your loss x

None of us can say anything useful really, and I think deep down you know that. You need to book an appt with your GP. Watching a loved one die with cancer can be so horrible though, so no wonder you’re scared.

For what it’s worth, with a family history of oesophageal cancer, when I went to the GP with possible symptoms, the GP was amazing and reassuring. Turns out I had indigestion, probably caused by stress. Which was exacerbated by being convinced I had cancer.

Bread is generally a bit of a bugger when it comes to swallowing anyway as it tends to clump up into hard balls. We always recommend 50/50 or best of both type bread for people we see with swallowing difficulties as it doesn't clump up in the same way white bread does.

It's much more likely to be anxiety related, or oesophagitis like a previous poster said than anything sinister - but you'll only know if you make that appointment. The pains and hiccups sound reflux related as well - especially if they're happening just after you eat.