Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes The Sensation Of Obstructed Esophagus By Solid Food?
Question: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis
Hi doctor! Thanks for reaching out. Actually, I do have a new situation -- related to the original one, I suspect. I am having trouble swallowing. Liquids and soft foods are fine. But this week, a tiny piece of steak and then (the next night) a tiny bit of a Kettle chip got stuck just below my breast bone.
Painful. Both were expelled: a messy and very uncomfortable situation. I coughed all night. But was fine the next day -- except traumatized by food. Because I need desperately to gain weight, this is worrisome.
I admit that because I don't like drinking water and am always thirsty, I have been drinking alot of soda -- 3 or 4 cans a day. I've been taking Omerprazole (for reflux) for about a week. I've stopped that because I have to be able to swallow solid food -- perhaps it was contributing. I am still taking excedrin and aleve (shingles). Those probably contribute as well. I have cut way back, but maybe I need to cut those altogether?
Can you help?
Back to the health issues: the reflux is gone, thanks to you and the Omeprazol.
Because I have to take aspirin & aleve to control the pain in my lower body, I experiene a build-up of gas in my esophagus which can make it almost impossible to swallow -- especially pills, meat & bread. Is the only solution to STOP taking aspirin? Which leads to my next issue: despite disciplined walking and PT exercises, I am experiencing almost crippling pain in both hamstrings: often, I can barely walk & I experiece excruciating cramps intermittingly. Mostly in the morning!
I take Lortab VERY sparingly -- 20 5mg pills/month -- I prefer to avoid opiates, plus Lortab contains aspirin. Perhaps there is a non-narcotic pain killer?
Do I have a Potassium deficiency?
Or, I worked every day for 7 days, ending Tuesday. My work is with a therapy group's busy phones (when the assistant is off). I sit in the same position for hours. Am I experiencing the aftermath -- which should pass once I'm more mobile?
Lastly, I sometimes take Valium as a muscle relaxer. It helps. But it's a Benzo. Is there a better option?
By the way, I have been clean & sober in Alcoholics Anonymous for 40 years on 12.10.15! Hence my resistence to opiates and benzos. But I have been incapacited for a year! I will do what I have to do! I'm careful, but not masochistic!
Thank you so very much. This is a long post. Please take your time. Enjoy your weekend.
Best regards,
XXXX
Hi doctor! Thanks for reaching out. Actually, I do have a new situation -- related to the original one, I suspect. I am having trouble swallowing. Liquids and soft foods are fine. But this week, a tiny piece of steak and then (the next night) a tiny bit of a Kettle chip got stuck just below my breast bone.
Painful. Both were expelled: a messy and very uncomfortable situation. I coughed all night. But was fine the next day -- except traumatized by food. Because I need desperately to gain weight, this is worrisome.
I admit that because I don't like drinking water and am always thirsty, I have been drinking alot of soda -- 3 or 4 cans a day. I've been taking Omerprazole (for reflux) for about a week. I've stopped that because I have to be able to swallow solid food -- perhaps it was contributing. I am still taking excedrin and aleve (shingles). Those probably contribute as well. I have cut way back, but maybe I need to cut those altogether?
Can you help?
Back to the health issues: the reflux is gone, thanks to you and the Omeprazol.
Because I have to take aspirin & aleve to control the pain in my lower body, I experiene a build-up of gas in my esophagus which can make it almost impossible to swallow -- especially pills, meat & bread. Is the only solution to STOP taking aspirin? Which leads to my next issue: despite disciplined walking and PT exercises, I am experiencing almost crippling pain in both hamstrings: often, I can barely walk & I experiece excruciating cramps intermittingly. Mostly in the morning!
I take Lortab VERY sparingly -- 20 5mg pills/month -- I prefer to avoid opiates, plus Lortab contains aspirin. Perhaps there is a non-narcotic pain killer?
Do I have a Potassium deficiency?
Or, I worked every day for 7 days, ending Tuesday. My work is with a therapy group's busy phones (when the assistant is off). I sit in the same position for hours. Am I experiencing the aftermath -- which should pass once I'm more mobile?
Lastly, I sometimes take Valium as a muscle relaxer. It helps. But it's a Benzo. Is there a better option?
By the way, I have been clean & sober in Alcoholics Anonymous for 40 years on 12.10.15! Hence my resistence to opiates and benzos. But I have been incapacited for a year! I will do what I have to do! I'm careful, but not masochistic!
Thank you so very much. This is a long post. Please take your time. Enjoy your weekend.
Best regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
aspirin may cause problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
taking both aspirin and another NSAID is not recommended. Aspirin wears down the stomach lining every time it's used. Using it together with Aleve causes even more damage. Omeprazole protects against this type of injury but the protection may not be 100% effective sometimes.
A sensation of obstructed esophagus by solid food warrants investigation for esophageal disease (tumor, esophagitis or motility disorders). An upper endoscopy is recommended.
Regarding the cramping problem I would suggest measuring serum electrolytes (including the potassium levels), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). More details about this problem might help. For example, how does it start? Do you feel pain only when walking? Does the pain start after the same distance every time? How does it get better and how long does it last?
Using benzodiazepines all too often may result in dependence. You can use alternatives like orphenadrine or tizanidine. The cause of the pain has to be identified and treated. Do you have a diagnosis?
I'll be happy to comment more on your case when you provide the requested data.
Kind Regards!
aspirin may cause problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
taking both aspirin and another NSAID is not recommended. Aspirin wears down the stomach lining every time it's used. Using it together with Aleve causes even more damage. Omeprazole protects against this type of injury but the protection may not be 100% effective sometimes.
A sensation of obstructed esophagus by solid food warrants investigation for esophageal disease (tumor, esophagitis or motility disorders). An upper endoscopy is recommended.
Regarding the cramping problem I would suggest measuring serum electrolytes (including the potassium levels), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). More details about this problem might help. For example, how does it start? Do you feel pain only when walking? Does the pain start after the same distance every time? How does it get better and how long does it last?
Using benzodiazepines all too often may result in dependence. You can use alternatives like orphenadrine or tizanidine. The cause of the pain has to be identified and treated. Do you have a diagnosis?
I'll be happy to comment more on your case when you provide the requested data.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
