Dysphagia - trouble swallowing food

[ElftonWednesday]

I have noticed recently that some food, particularly anything slightly dry, gets stuck in my throat/chest. It can be quite painful and upsetting. It hasn't stopped me eating (!) I have to take care to drink water with food though, more than I used to and make sure I really chew food and eat more slowly, which is no bad thing. But sometimes it just happens anyway and it seems to be getting worse.

I know this can be a menopause thing- has anyone else had this? Should I get it checked out by the GP? I'm 46 and take a low dose mini pill, mainly to control endometriosis. Fortunately the endometriosis seems well under control, no symptoms for the last few years and the only other menopausal/peri-menopausal thing I've noticed is that I'm getting a bit hot sometimes - not in a puddle of sweat but a bit too warm. Especially at night. Sometimes quite useful as I used to feel the cold easily!

I didn’t know it was a menopause thing but I get this a lot - well, I go through phases of it. It’s worst when I am really hungry and eat too quickly (not chewing properly) and with certain foods like bread and other floury springy things.

Sometimes if it feels really stuck it helps to tip my head back as though I’m extending my throat iyswim and then you can feel it gradually going down. I am post-menopausal btw; my other symptoms have all gone but I did have this recently

Thanks @PlinkPlankPlunk. Definitely when I'm hungry I eat too quickly! Noticed it even more when I was on a diet earlier in the year. I will try tipping my head back.

This is something you really do need to contact a GP about. It might need investigation

www.nhs.uk/conditions/swallowing-problems-dysphagia/

Please get this checked out op asap, any difficulty swallowing needs investigating.

Thank you. I went through the symptoms checker on 111 (directed there by GP website first) and it indeed says an urgent appointment is warranted also. I shall be on repeat dial for a GP appointment as soon as the phone lines open tomorrow.

Push to get it checked ASAP. Hopefully it’s nothing sinister but could be something serious (don’t want to scare you but my dad had oesophageal cancer with these symptoms)

Don’t be fobbed off x

I had this but due to a hiatus hernia. Well, I went to the doc paranoid I had oesophageal cancer but they found a hernia. So I think the swallowing issue must have been due to that.

It's quite distressing isnt it! Literally unable to do the swallowing action. Yikes!

Please see a GP ASAP, it's far more likely to be a hiatus hernia or something else benign but dysphagia should always be investigated and I'd expect you to be referred for a 2WW OGD to rule out anything sinister

Hi ex speech therapist here and I used to specialise in dysphagia.

If it’s getting stuck at your larynx (at or above your Adam’s apple) ask your GP for a referral to the speech therapy dept who will assess and perhaps offer you an instrumental evaluation (videofluoroscopy). If it’s below your larynx (you say it’s sitting at your chest) then it will be the gastroenterologist team you will be referred to who might offer you a barium swallow.

The GP will triage and decide how urgent the referral is which will determine how soon you will see someone. FYI our urgent waiting list (e.g. people who could not swallow at all) was two weeks and they ended up being hospitalised in order for us to see them sooner (within 48 hrs for an inpatient). For people with occasional swallowing difficulties, with no weight loss or other suspected neuro issues, the waiting list was 12 weeks.

Swallowing can become more difficult as we get older and we do have to be more selective with what we eat and our bodies can tolerate. However definitely worth getting checked out in case it’s something more than aging.

I had this and to some extent still do. I am post meno, and am 46. I had an endoscopy and was clear. It seems the little flap that opens and shuts is slightly disfunctional. I get mainly with bread and meat.

@Apple1971

Push to get it checked ASAP. Hopefully it’s nothing sinister but could be something serious (don’t want to scare you but my dad had oesophageal cancer with these symptoms)

Don’t be fobbed off x

Same here. Please do get it checked ASAP.

I have this and got it investigated and have a hiatus hernia leading to GERD or Reflux disease. I have no issue with heartburn, indigestion just the swallowing. Biggest culprit for me is lettuce, herbs, prawns, any dry food that just sits there and won't go down resulting in irritation which l hate. I am on one tablet a day which helps. Also if something is there l find drinking coke helps to break it down , something to do with acid acting on stuff. It's actually quite stressful at times. At home l am fine but if eating in someone else's house it's embarrassing as there is some food l just will not eat. Eating out l am always watching for what will suit me.
Also my dh has struggled with this and his doctor said his oesophagus has narrowed with age and was narrow anyway. He needs to slow down and consciously chew well.
Get it checked out. This started for me about 54.

lettuce, herbs, prawns

Oh yes, I love prawns. I was eating a prawn curry on Saturday and that got stuck!

I've just had a telephone appointment with the GP and they aren't messing about, I'm going to be referred for an emergency endoscopy at the hospital which should happen in the next two weeks.

All the best with that. Hopefully it will be something easily sorted. Meantime go for easier soft food as it is very stressful dealing with it.

Just an update to say I am having a gastroscopy this week 👍

Best of luck with the gastroscopy @ElftonWednesday

Best of luck @ElftonWednesday. Best to get this checked so you can get it fixed and move on.

Good luck @ElftonWednesday

Thank you.

@ElftonWednesday
How did you get on ?