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Hi Dr I Had A Barium Swallow Study Done And
Question: Hi Dr
i had a barium swallow study done and received the results: esophageal dysmotility noted with unsynchronized pattern.
I%E2%80%99m extremely worried and have been under a lot of stress and anxiety. I feel as though food is stuck in my upper throat after I eat. Is this something serious? My dr didnt seem concerned and told me to continue with omeprazole but Im worried I can have a swallowing disorder related to ALS
please advise and thank you
i had a barium swallow study done and received the results: esophageal dysmotility noted with unsynchronized pattern.
I%E2%80%99m extremely worried and have been under a lot of stress and anxiety. I feel as though food is stuck in my upper throat after I eat. Is this something serious? My dr didnt seem concerned and told me to continue with omeprazole but Im worried I can have a swallowing disorder related to ALS
please advise and thank you
Brief Answer:
This is certainly not something you can die from!!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these findings. They are benign. In most cases, this should resolve. Often, our greatest fear with difficulties swallowing is cancer and these findings clearly shows it is not. This is good news for your doctor and certainly to you.
This is not ALS. ALS will start with limbs. Swallowing is often a late stage. There is nothing else you have reported that should raise concerns about this. Please relax and know I am almost certain this is not ALS.
I agree with your doctor that there is nothing to panic about at this time. Follow up with him and monitor your symptoms and keep the doctor updated.
I hope these guides and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me as need be.
This is certainly not something you can die from!!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these findings. They are benign. In most cases, this should resolve. Often, our greatest fear with difficulties swallowing is cancer and these findings clearly shows it is not. This is good news for your doctor and certainly to you.
This is not ALS. ALS will start with limbs. Swallowing is often a late stage. There is nothing else you have reported that should raise concerns about this. Please relax and know I am almost certain this is not ALS.
I agree with your doctor that there is nothing to panic about at this time. Follow up with him and monitor your symptoms and keep the doctor updated.
I hope these guides and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me as need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi Dr
Thanks for the response. Doesn%E2%80%99t Bulbar onset ALS start with swallowing disorder? Would the esophagram have detected dysphagia? Does the test show the pharyngeal muscles while I drank the barium liquid? I saw movement on my tongue and thought it was fasiculationa but my neurologist said it was normal. I%E2%80%99m just very worried about this diagnosis
Thanks for the response. Doesn%E2%80%99t Bulbar onset ALS start with swallowing disorder? Would the esophagram have detected dysphagia? Does the test show the pharyngeal muscles while I drank the barium liquid? I saw movement on my tongue and thought it was fasiculationa but my neurologist said it was normal. I%E2%80%99m just very worried about this diagnosis
Brief Answer:
I understand your worries. ALS is almost a nonstarter here!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for reaching back.
You seem quite concerned about ALS. I will like to know if you have ever had any experience with someone with this condition. Also, what makes you think you might be dealing with this? I would recommend you stop being this hard on yourself.
ALS can come with dysphagia. However, this type is upper and entails difficulties coordinating food from mouth into the pharynx. When food is in the esophagus, it is intrinsic smooth muscle activity that does the job. Esophageal dysphagia is not part of ALS. A barium swallow would not have been possible if you were unable to coordinate and get food into the esophagus as happens in persons with ALS.
I hope this clarifies and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me as you please.
I understand your worries. ALS is almost a nonstarter here!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for reaching back.
You seem quite concerned about ALS. I will like to know if you have ever had any experience with someone with this condition. Also, what makes you think you might be dealing with this? I would recommend you stop being this hard on yourself.
ALS can come with dysphagia. However, this type is upper and entails difficulties coordinating food from mouth into the pharynx. When food is in the esophagus, it is intrinsic smooth muscle activity that does the job. Esophageal dysphagia is not part of ALS. A barium swallow would not have been possible if you were unable to coordinate and get food into the esophagus as happens in persons with ALS.
I hope this clarifies and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me as you please.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi,
No I don’t personally know anyone with ALS. I feel like I’m dealing with this diagnosis because I have twitching in my body and my tongue. No weakness however. The barium swallow only was with a liquid, no solids. Would the esophagram study have shown oropharyngeal dysphagia? The thought of having this disease has consumed me. I’m very worried Dr. After eating I feel like the food is stuck in my throat, I have a lot of mucous in the back of my throat and know this is all common with bulbar ALS.
No I don’t personally know anyone with ALS. I feel like I’m dealing with this diagnosis because I have twitching in my body and my tongue. No weakness however. The barium swallow only was with a liquid, no solids. Would the esophagram study have shown oropharyngeal dysphagia? The thought of having this disease has consumed me. I’m very worried Dr. After eating I feel like the food is stuck in my throat, I have a lot of mucous in the back of my throat and know this is all common with bulbar ALS.
Brief Answer:
This is not ALS
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you had oropharyngeal dysphagia, you would have choking, cough and food expelled through nostrils when eating. It is often worse with liquid foods. Your test result and the fact that it was with a liquid without any issues is all the more reassuring.
It can be difficult when we truly think we may be dealing with such a serious and debilitating condition such as ALS. However, from the information and result I have, this is certainly not the case.
I hope this helps and guides. Keep me updated!
This is not ALS
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you had oropharyngeal dysphagia, you would have choking, cough and food expelled through nostrils when eating. It is often worse with liquid foods. Your test result and the fact that it was with a liquid without any issues is all the more reassuring.
It can be difficult when we truly think we may be dealing with such a serious and debilitating condition such as ALS. However, from the information and result I have, this is certainly not the case.
I hope this helps and guides. Keep me updated!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you so much; is that the type of dysphagia that ALS patients deal with? I’ve made the mistake and researched so much about ALS and bulbar ALS that I’m convinced I have this disease. The barium swallow test would’ve detected the dysphagia seen in ALS patients? I’m a 34 year old female from NY, would it be incredibly rare for this diagnosis? This morning I took my medication and just feel as though the pills are stuck in my throat, then I start panicking that I have dysphagia. I just need to know if the barium test would’ve picked up on swallowing issues such as the one I feel with pills and food getting stuck even though it was just the barium liquid used. Can I be 100% sure this isnt any form of ALS?
Brief Answer:
Barium swallow would have been impossible with this!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For barium swallow to accurately evaluate the esophagus, the oropharyngeal phase must be accomplished. Because this was done, certainly it means you have no problems with the oropharyngeal phase that is common among persons with ALS.
ALS is a very rare disease. Only 5 persons out of 100,000 has this. Am not sure why and how you got your mind so fixated on this. Your age really argues against this as well. Do yourself some justice and stop hurting yourself this much.
Would like to hear more from you!
Barium swallow would have been impossible with this!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For barium swallow to accurately evaluate the esophagus, the oropharyngeal phase must be accomplished. Because this was done, certainly it means you have no problems with the oropharyngeal phase that is common among persons with ALS.
ALS is a very rare disease. Only 5 persons out of 100,000 has this. Am not sure why and how you got your mind so fixated on this. Your age really argues against this as well. Do yourself some justice and stop hurting yourself this much.
Would like to hear more from you!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Dr
Thank you for the response. It started in January when I had twitches in my legs and arms. EMG was done Feb 9, 2020 and showed chronic denervation L5S1. Three weeks ago, i had a sore throat that wouldn’t go away, COVID test negative x2 so I assumed this was bulbar ALS. I started feeling food stuck in my throat after I ate, and became more and more paranoid since bulbar ALS causes difficulty swallowing. That’s when I mentioned to my GI dr and he ordered the barium which showed the esophageal dysmotility, that the esophagus wasn’t in sync. Now I’m panicking even more that because a modified barium swallow wasn’t done with solids ALS can’t be ruled out. I’ve also had no appetite for 3 weeks, lost 10 lbs. I’m not sure if this is anxiety/stress related or due to ALS
Thank you for the response. It started in January when I had twitches in my legs and arms. EMG was done Feb 9, 2020 and showed chronic denervation L5S1. Three weeks ago, i had a sore throat that wouldn’t go away, COVID test negative x2 so I assumed this was bulbar ALS. I started feeling food stuck in my throat after I ate, and became more and more paranoid since bulbar ALS causes difficulty swallowing. That’s when I mentioned to my GI dr and he ordered the barium which showed the esophageal dysmotility, that the esophagus wasn’t in sync. Now I’m panicking even more that because a modified barium swallow wasn’t done with solids ALS can’t be ruled out. I’ve also had no appetite for 3 weeks, lost 10 lbs. I’m not sure if this is anxiety/stress related or due to ALS
Brief Answer:
I encourage you to stay calm!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your so much stress. No one wants to be dealing with ALS and not at this young age. However, your symptoms are not consistent with this at this time. You have had an EMG that showed no typical findings supportive for ALS.
Your heightened symptoms seem consistent with your degree pf paranoia, which is totally understandable. However, this is getting the better of you and making life all the more difficult. Food stuck in throat is not classical for ALS. I highly encourage you to be calm and relaxed else you may push yourself to extremes.
I hope this guides. GO back to living and eating as you would without heightened worries and see how well you would go on.
I encourage you to stay calm!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your so much stress. No one wants to be dealing with ALS and not at this young age. However, your symptoms are not consistent with this at this time. You have had an EMG that showed no typical findings supportive for ALS.
Your heightened symptoms seem consistent with your degree pf paranoia, which is totally understandable. However, this is getting the better of you and making life all the more difficult. Food stuck in throat is not classical for ALS. I highly encourage you to be calm and relaxed else you may push yourself to extremes.
I hope this guides. GO back to living and eating as you would without heightened worries and see how well you would go on.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Please Dr can you clarify these for me:
1- Bulbar ALS can’t be diagnosed on EMG of the legs correct? This is what I feel like I have, Bulbar onset ALS which affects the speech, swallowing and muscles in the face
2- If feeling like food is stuck in my throat isn’t sign of swallowing difficulty associated with ALS, then how would you describe what difficulty swallowing associated with ALS is?
3- In the morning when I take my medication I feel the pills are stuck in my throat, no matter how much water I drink I feel like they’re there, is this possible? Even if I did have a swallowing problem wouldn’t the water push the pills down?
4- I know there are two types of ALS; limb onset and Bulbar ALS- I feel as though I have bulbar type due to the feeling of food and pills getting stuck in my throat
5- I also have excess mucous in the back of my throat which I read is also consistent with Bulbar ALS
6- I wake up feeling so anxious, depressed and nauseous- as the day goes on I feel a bit better, why is that?
Lastly I’m not questioning your knowledge but do you have experience with Bulbar ALS patients?
Thank you for your help and patience.
1- Bulbar ALS can’t be diagnosed on EMG of the legs correct? This is what I feel like I have, Bulbar onset ALS which affects the speech, swallowing and muscles in the face
2- If feeling like food is stuck in my throat isn’t sign of swallowing difficulty associated with ALS, then how would you describe what difficulty swallowing associated with ALS is?
3- In the morning when I take my medication I feel the pills are stuck in my throat, no matter how much water I drink I feel like they’re there, is this possible? Even if I did have a swallowing problem wouldn’t the water push the pills down?
4- I know there are two types of ALS; limb onset and Bulbar ALS- I feel as though I have bulbar type due to the feeling of food and pills getting stuck in my throat
5- I also have excess mucous in the back of my throat which I read is also consistent with Bulbar ALS
6- I wake up feeling so anxious, depressed and nauseous- as the day goes on I feel a bit better, why is that?
Lastly I’m not questioning your knowledge but do you have experience with Bulbar ALS patients?
Thank you for your help and patience.
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for following up with me.
1. The diagnosis of ALS is comprehensive and more in depth than may appear. It is not a single test or piece of information but a collection of signs, symptoms and laboratory results. From all the above, I have found no reasons to believe so.
2. Dysphagia in ALS presents with difficulties initiating swallowing. This may manifest as stocking food in the mouth, choking during swallow and food expulsion through the nostrils. In most cases, persons also have dysarthria(inability to articulate as before) because most muscles involved in swallowing are also necessary for speaking. This is not your type of dysphagia. Of course, successfully completing a barium swallow speaks against this in your case.
3. See point #2 above. Swallowing water and pills speaks against having any bulbar palsy. A GI can better look in the throat and help if this is your main worry.
4. See point #2. It is very unlikely for this to apply in your case.
5. See point number two. I am sure this offers clarity.
6. You have been overworked by feeling you have ALS, a devastating disease condition everyone should be concerned about, which you don't have. This will really ruin your days and make you feel this terrible. I strongly encourage you to let go of the thought that you have this disease. I am sure you have received enough details from me to know there is nothing that concerning at this time per ALS.
I have not had an ALS patient (This is very rare, you know!!!). However, I have evaluated a couple of patients with dysphagic symptoms worrisome for ALS, but ALS was excluded.
I hope this helps and guides. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for following up with me.
1. The diagnosis of ALS is comprehensive and more in depth than may appear. It is not a single test or piece of information but a collection of signs, symptoms and laboratory results. From all the above, I have found no reasons to believe so.
2. Dysphagia in ALS presents with difficulties initiating swallowing. This may manifest as stocking food in the mouth, choking during swallow and food expulsion through the nostrils. In most cases, persons also have dysarthria(inability to articulate as before) because most muscles involved in swallowing are also necessary for speaking. This is not your type of dysphagia. Of course, successfully completing a barium swallow speaks against this in your case.
3. See point #2 above. Swallowing water and pills speaks against having any bulbar palsy. A GI can better look in the throat and help if this is your main worry.
4. See point #2. It is very unlikely for this to apply in your case.
5. See point number two. I am sure this offers clarity.
6. You have been overworked by feeling you have ALS, a devastating disease condition everyone should be concerned about, which you don't have. This will really ruin your days and make you feel this terrible. I strongly encourage you to let go of the thought that you have this disease. I am sure you have received enough details from me to know there is nothing that concerning at this time per ALS.
I have not had an ALS patient (This is very rare, you know!!!). However, I have evaluated a couple of patients with dysphagic symptoms worrisome for ALS, but ALS was excluded.
I hope this helps and guides. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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