Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Throat Pain After Eating Trout And Swallowing Fish Bone?
Question: Hello,
14 days ago I was eating rainbow trout and felt like I swallowed a fish bone. It felt like it was stuck in my throat so the next day I went to the emergency room. They sent me to an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist that day. He did a scope through my nose and down my throat and said he did not see a bone. He said it likely scratched my throat and that was making it feel like the bone was still in there. The first few days the feeling was constantly there and made me feel like coughing or gagging, however I was able to eat, drink, speak and breathe normally. I went back to see the specialist 2 days later as the feeling was still bothering me. He did another scope through my nose and down my throat again, and said he still did not see a bone. He said it must have just been a scratch. Since then the feeling has been much better. I no longer have the urge to cough or gag. I can still eat and drink as normal. However, I still get the feeling like something is in my throat. This feeling is not constant - it comes and goes. Usually the feeling is on the right side of my throat, but sometimes it feels like it is on the left side. I have days where I may not even feel it at all and other days where it comes and goes. I find that when I wake up my throat is very dry and I will have the feeling then. As the day goes on, the feeling comes and goes. If my throat has just been scratched, I am not sure how long it should take for this feeling to completely go away? Since I still feel like something is in my throat, even though it is not a constant feeling, does that indicate that there is a bone? I am not quite sure what I need to do?
Thank you.
14 days ago I was eating rainbow trout and felt like I swallowed a fish bone. It felt like it was stuck in my throat so the next day I went to the emergency room. They sent me to an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist that day. He did a scope through my nose and down my throat and said he did not see a bone. He said it likely scratched my throat and that was making it feel like the bone was still in there. The first few days the feeling was constantly there and made me feel like coughing or gagging, however I was able to eat, drink, speak and breathe normally. I went back to see the specialist 2 days later as the feeling was still bothering me. He did another scope through my nose and down my throat again, and said he still did not see a bone. He said it must have just been a scratch. Since then the feeling has been much better. I no longer have the urge to cough or gag. I can still eat and drink as normal. However, I still get the feeling like something is in my throat. This feeling is not constant - it comes and goes. Usually the feeling is on the right side of my throat, but sometimes it feels like it is on the left side. I have days where I may not even feel it at all and other days where it comes and goes. I find that when I wake up my throat is very dry and I will have the feeling then. As the day goes on, the feeling comes and goes. If my throat has just been scratched, I am not sure how long it should take for this feeling to completely go away? Since I still feel like something is in my throat, even though it is not a constant feeling, does that indicate that there is a bone? I am not quite sure what I need to do?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
throat pain
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you have been having this pain in your throat after eating trout and possible fish bone. Yo have had two scopes looking for a bone but none found. I agree with your ENT that you probably have a scratch or irritation from a possible bone. Despite is being 14 days since the injury you still have some pain. I would recommend that you try using maalox 3-4 times a day. This may help coat the irritated area and allow for better healing. This should go away soon. You don't need to return to the ENT because there is nothing else that can be done and no additional studies are needed.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
throat pain
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you have been having this pain in your throat after eating trout and possible fish bone. Yo have had two scopes looking for a bone but none found. I agree with your ENT that you probably have a scratch or irritation from a possible bone. Despite is being 14 days since the injury you still have some pain. I would recommend that you try using maalox 3-4 times a day. This may help coat the irritated area and allow for better healing. This should go away soon. You don't need to return to the ENT because there is nothing else that can be done and no additional studies are needed.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your reply. This situation has created a lot of anxiety for me. Your answer has made me feel better. In my previous message I forgot to ask if I should change my diet until my throat feels better? I have continued to eat normally throughout this situation.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
No change in diet
Detailed Answer:
You don't need to change your diet. Though I would not recommend eating any fish with bones.
No change in diet
Detailed Answer:
You don't need to change your diet. Though I would not recommend eating any fish with bones.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
