Something wrong with my throat/esophagus think I need a doctor

[futurefields]

i've had this problem for years but its just getting worse and worse

it started out where I would sometimes get this feeling like I had a potato chip or something stuck in the back of my throat, it usually would go away pretty quickly

but as the years go by this thing is getting worse to wear now I really have difficulty swallowing at least several times every day, even water will get like stuck in my throat and I'll get this crazy pain/pressure until it finally goes down

it almost seems like the nerves or smooth muscles in my throat/esophagus aren't working properly anymore or something, like things just kind of sit there until they eventually go down

burping has been really weird too, I almost constantly feel like I need to burp, but I cant force myself to like I used to be able too, again its like those muscles just dont work anymore

i'm only 33, i feel like this probably is something I should see a doctor for but I hate going (anxiety) and my insurance sucks

 

[sandorski]

Seeing a Doctor would be the best idea. Try Googling it though. It likely could be a few things, some Minor some Major.

 

[hardhat]

My guess is hiatal hernia, but it is definitely something I would go and have checked out.

 

[pete6032]

Needs a doctor, posts a thread on ATH&F instead.

 

[Billb2]

Let's see, you think you have a medical problem, so you post a question on a forum?
I think you have more than a medical problem..........

 

[jman19]

Let's see, you think you have a medical problem, so you post a question on a forum?
I think you have more than a medical problem..........

Not helpful at this point.

OP - please see a doctor as soon as you reasonably can.

 

[hightree]

A medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia, so you may want to search for causes:
Mayo Clinic mentions quite some causes.
MedlinePlus has a list of links to various sites.

Write down exact symptoms and circumstances in which this happens and discuss it with your doctor. This alone should not cost you much. Anyway, early treatment can have much better results than the late one.

In meantime you can avoid foods that make you burp: fizzy drinks, foods that relax the lower esophageal sphincter (alcohol, chocolate...). If you think your problem is aggravated by acid reflux (with heartburn), search which foods to avoid.

 

[right_to_know]

Needs a doctor, posts a thread on ATH&F instead.

Let's see, you think you have a medical problem, so you post a question on a forum?
I think you have more than a medical problem..........

Why would that be a problem.
People here may have had the same issues or useful information and can help make the limited time with a doctor more productive.

Many people may not have adequate access to medical services either meaning they need to educate themselves.

 

[John Connor]

You have a tumor sounds like.

 

[StinkyPinky]

You need to see a doctor. Money doesn't mean anything if your health sucks.

 

[Sunburn74]

The term is dysphagia.

There really are actually only a few causes to really consider and there are really only a couple of initial diagnostic tests of choice. You will more likely than not get an EGD as an initial diagnostic test (a small camera on a flexible tube put down your esophagus to take a look whilst you are sedated). Sometimes, doctors will do a barium swallow (you swallow some dye to light up the esophagus and they take xrays to see what the esophagus looks like when you swallow) but in general it doesn't get you out of an EGD especially if symptoms are severe or if there are risk factors for certain things.

If you smoke, the important thing to evaluate for is esophageal cancer. Otherwise the causes of dysphagia are not life-threatening in general but do not get better on their own as they have structural causes.

Go see a gastroenterologist, especially if you smoke.

 

[Batmeat]

Go see a general surgeon or gastroenterologist. As mentioned you have dysphagia and need an EGD. Have the doc that does it biopsy for eosinophilic esophagitis. Most only only worry about esophagitis related to GERD. Additionally, should your issue be from a stricture you'll need them to dilate with a CRE dilatation balloon.

You don't need a barium esophagogram or manometry until the EGD has been performed and pathology returned showing no obvious cause.