Trouble eating/swallowing?

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Fri May 03, 2013 7:51 am

Does anyone ever have trouble eating and swallowing?

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri May 03, 2013 11:14 am

Jennifer when you say trouble eating, what does that mean?

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Fri May 03, 2013 11:42 am

hahaha. Good question. Not sure how to describe it except that the food doesn't want to go down my throat. And it happens sporadically.

Post by **tex** » Fri May 03, 2013 12:12 pm

Have you ever been checked for the presence of a hiatal hernia?

Tex

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Fri May 03, 2013 1:23 pm

No, Tex, I haven't. (Not even sure what that is. lol) But I'll do a google search and see if it's something I need to pursue. Thanks!

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sat May 04, 2013 11:43 pm

Does it come with a burning sensation in your throat? You might want to report to your doc since it could be Barrett's esophagus.

LindyLou · Post by **LindyLou** » Sun May 05, 2013 6:45 am

Hi Jennnifer,
Have you had your thyroid tested? Research shows those of us with microscopic colitis are 7 times more likely to have thyroid problems. When your thyroid is inflamed, it can cause problems with swallowing.

Linda

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Sun May 05, 2013 5:28 pm

Hi, Lesley, thanks for responding. To answer your question, no, it doesn't burn, more like just gets stuck. Kinda hard to explain really.

Hi, LindyLou, is that something that happens when there are thyroid issues? I believe they did test my thyroid function in Sept. of 2012, and I'm pretty sure everything was fine. The colonoscopy was ordered after all other possibilities were tested for, I believe. Although as this is new, so maybe the tests from Sept no longer apply.

I'm fine now, so, unless it happens again, I might just ignore it. ;)

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:18 am

Hi,

I have huge problems swallowing, especially now when D is quite crazy.

It's like my throat is too narrow, or if something is stuck in there and is getting in the way. Even swallowing my own saliva gives me trouble. It doesn't hurt, I just have to make an effort to swallow and I succeed after 2-3 times.

I suspect it has something to do with the thyroid gland, either it is swollen or infected. I have had this for as long as I can remember.

Is this what I think, a thyroid problem and is it common amongst people with MC?

Lilja

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:05 am

Lilja,

That problem is usually due to a hiatal hernia. This can make it feel as though there is a lump in your throat, or something is stuck there. Have your doctors ever checked for a hiatal hernia to rule it out?

Here's a home remedy that usually works:

The problem is due to a portion of the top of the stomach protruding through the hole where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm. Try drinking a glass of warm water (to relax the muscles and to add some weight to your stomach), and then stand on your tiptoes and suddenly drop your body by dropping your heels to the floor. The inertia of the sudden stop will usually pull the stomach back down, and resolve the problem. If it doesn't work the first time you try it, try again. Of course, this works best on a carpet or soft rug, rather than a hard floor. If you do it on a hard floor, be careful not to hit your heels too hard on the floor, since that could cause an injury to one of your feet.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:44 am

tex wrote:Lilja,

Try drinking a glass of warm water (to relax the muscles and to add some weight to your stomach), and then stand on your tiptoes and suddenly drop your body by dropping your heels to the floor. The inertia of the sudden stop will usually pull the stomach back down, and resolve the problem. If it doesn't work the first time you try it, try again. Of course, this works best on a carpet or soft rug, rather than a hard floor. If you do it on a hard floor, be careful not to hit your heels too hard on the floor, since that could cause an injury to one of your feet.

Tex

Thank you, Tex! I have tried it, and I feel a less pressure to the oesophagus.

Lilja

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:22 am

Jennifer, I have had that problem. It feels like food gets stuck right at my breastbone and usually happens most frequently in the morning. I need to drink water to push it through. My PCP thought it could be scarring from GERD or just motility issues from aging. If it gets worse I will probably get scoped. I do have thyroid issues too. I will try Tex's water method and see if that helps.