Lump in my throat after I eat.

etherah

Since I've been eating healthier over the last month, I've started to develop a lump in my throat after I eat a bit too much. At first it started when I'd really overeat. Then I'd only have to slightly overeat for it to develop. But now it's happening even after I have a little snack. I thought originally my stomach might be shrinking because I can't eat the portions that I used to eat. So when I'd eat too much, it would sort of overflow and that's why I'd get the lump. But today I just had a banana and some applesauce for a morning snack and the lump is back!

It's really quite annoying. It lasts for hours and makes it hard to swallow. I looked it up online and possible causes could be acid reflux, stress, etc. I don't feel like I've got heartburn, and although I do take antidepressants, I'm not feeling stressed. I feel a little burpy, but not too gassy.

Has anyone else had this problem before. If so, do you have any suggestions for getting rid of it?

dancingnancies

i haven't had that before, but i think that you should go to the doctor. the only time i have felt something slightly similar is when i have swallowed pills and they don't go down right away.

i would go to the doctor, just to get it checked out. it couldn't hurt.

goodluck!

whittrusty

Honestly, I would talk to your doctor just to make sure that you're OK.

PureAndHealthy

I've not experienced this but I've heard of it... and for the person I knew who suffered from it found it was stress-related. Sometimes we carry stress in our bodies that we don't/can't even acknowledge/recognize mentally or emotionally.... and it comes out in weird ways. How active are you?

etherah

I've been pretty active lately. I just started doing Chalean Extreme and was doing P90 before that. I've been eating healthy and using MFP for about a month now and exercising regularly for a few weeks (pretty much every day).

katschi

Have your thyroid checked.

kerriBB37

Hi! I am a dysphagia (swallow disorder) specialist, it's what I do all day long. There is something called a "globus sensation" which basically means a feeling of a lump or obstruction is in the throat area but it in fact is physically lower down, usually in the esophagus. It could be indigestion or reflux as you've stated but it could be something else. Does it move when you swallow? Has anything you've tried helped it to go away? I would seek out a otolaryngologist (ENT) physician or your primary doctor can refer for a swallow study at a hospital (it's called a Modified barium swallow study.) Chances are it's nothing but you don't want to play around with your health. The change in food could be just a coincidence. Message me if you'd like!

Kerri

hummzz

Definitely go to the doctor. My great grandmother had a condition where her esophagus would shrink and she had to go get it stretched. My uncle also has developed this condition. Not sure if this is what is going on with you, but its something that does happen. She had a very difficult time eating. Hope you feel better.

jacquerd

I agree with the others...you should go to the doctor to have it checked out. Good luck!

etherah

HI Kerri, you're exactly the person I needed to answer this!! I work in the healthcare field as well (Nuclear Medicine) so I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the tests. I actually do thyroid imaging and function tests and have thought of this, but my thyroid doesn't seem swollen. I've had my thyroid levels checked in the past and they were ok.

THis has really only been going on for about two weeks so I might just give it a bit more time. I've tried antacids, extra water but it doesn't seem to help. It also doesn't feel like it moves when I swallow. Nothing seems to help to make it go away except wait. It only ever happens after I've eaten. I'm thinking it probably has something to do with indigestions/reflux and hopefully it will just go away!

ysundahl

Hi, I have had that experience of the lump in the throat and I would have to wait a while before I can finish my meal. Recently I had a test (swallowing x-ray) and was told I have a hiatal hernia. I had this test because a few times I actually choked while I was eating and luckily my husband was there and did Heimlich. Now I am more careful to eat slowly and not eat while I am standing and moving around, as that seems to cause the choking. I also can no longer eat spicy foods, as that can also make me feel like I am choking.

sbwood888

I think to be on the safe side, you should see your doctor.

Unknown

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NatalieWinning

Hi! I am a dysphagia (swallow disorder) specialist, it's what I do all day long. There is something called a "globus sensation" which basically means a feeling of a lump or obstruction is in the throat area but it in fact is physically lower down, usually in the esophagus. It could be indigestion or reflux as you've stated but it could be something else. Does it move when you swallow? Has anything you've tried helped it to go away? I would seek out a otolaryngologist (ENT) physician or your primary doctor can refer for a swallow study at a hospital (it's called a Modified barium swallow study.) Chances are it's nothing but you don't want to play around with your health. The change in food could be just a coincidence. Message me if you'd like!

Kerri

This is good advice. And have you tried tums or related antacid to see if it helps? Good burp after your increased fiber-y healthy food might help! Yes, your stomach does shrink, too. Bring a copy of your MFP diet diary this week or month will show what you have ben eating if diet is setting you off. In college I ate a salad every day for a while until I got so gassy I had to quit! Too much too fast! and now I know onions and bell peppers are OUT!

etherah

I've tried Tums, Losec and milk of mag. but they didn't work.
I'm hesitant to go to my Dr right away because I just saw her a couple weeks ago for something else and I wasn't having these problems then. I have an appt with her again in April but if the problem still persists after a couple more weeks, I'll make another appt. to see her again. Thanks everyone for the advice!

NatalieWinning

I agree with the doctor eval. There are also tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) and salivary gland stones. Just to add more. But then you can rest assured it's nothing if you go in.

kerriBB37

Chances are it's not your thryoid. Try a simple chin tuck maneuver during your meal and see if that helps? (Bring your chin to your chest as you are in the swallowing process and literally push it to go down.) You may want to also try alternating a sip of fluid after every solid bite. Have you tried prilosec OTC?
Just ideas!

kerriBB37

I would definitely go see a doctor! My grandpa had this problem, and found out he had a chunk of turkey lodged in his esophagus that never went down. It was hung up on something, and the only time he noticed it was when he ate other things. It actually took 2 times of them scoping to remove it all as they didn't get the whole thing the first time.

One can also have food collect in your pyriform and valleculae sinuses in your throat or ever worse, Barrett's esophagus. Both would be detected on one of those MBS's I spoke of! Usually esophageal dysmotility problems are in the elderly as the muscles just slow down in general.

etherah

If you've got food lodged in you throat, more often than not, does it usually correct itself?
I had bloodwork done today (again, for other reasons than this), and I was glad to see theyre going to test my TSH levels. That will give me an indication if there are any thyroid problems.

etherah

I haven't heard of prilosec OTC.

kerriBB37

I haven't heard of prilosec OTC.

it's an over the counter medication, I hear it works well!

etherah

Is it from the US or Canada? I find we don't often have the same medications as they do in the US.

kerriBB37

Hmm, I'm not sure.. Here is a link.. http://www.prilosecotc.com/en_US/consumer/Pages/Home.aspx?gclid=CLT9kZyHi6cCFcIKKgod2EKPdw&TID=01ec8e25-0af3-48e2-a7f0-80ea0baf6134

forest98520

I understand your reservation about seeing the doctor again so soon. I also think not being able to swallow correctly after you eat should not be taken lightly. Most likely it's nothing but heaven forbid it should be something and you choose to wait. Sorry if I am coming across harsh, I don't mean too but I have had a couple of close people in my life where it was serious so red flags go off for me when I hear this.

might4

Hi! I am a dysphagia (swallow disorder) specialist, it's what I do all day long. There is something called a "globus sensation" which basically means a feeling of a lump or obstruction is in the throat area but it in fact is physically lower down, usually in the esophagus. It could be indigestion or reflux as you've stated but it could be something else. Does it move when you swallow? Has anything you've tried helped it to go away? I would seek out a otolaryngologist (ENT) physician or your primary doctor can refer for a swallow study at a hospital (it's called a Modified barium swallow study.) Chances are it's nothing but you don't want to play around with your health. The change in food could be just a coincidence. Message me if you'd like!

Kerri

I have had this (oddly around the same time...about a month after starting this journey). After some research I selfdiagnosed as heartburn/digestion related. I took a few days of Zantac and it was gone. I get it back once in a while and I take some Zantac for a day or two and it goes away!

dalbers

Sorry but I did not read every reply.

I have this problem, it is an ulcer that causes it for me.

Please get it checked out.

etherah

I looked it up and Losec and Prilosec OTC are pretty much the same thing and made by the same company. It just so happens that I have a prescription for losec so I'm going to take that for a few days and see if that makes any difference. If not, I'll go see my Dr. again.

etherah

So far so good today....no lump yet. Yesterday it lasted until I went to bed but it was gone again when I woke up this morning. I'll try not to eat too much at a time today so I don't trigger it again. I took Losec last night and the night before and I'll continue taking it for a few more days.

Sweet13_Princess

It could be something very simple, but then again it might not be. I would go see your doctor as soon as possible though.

One of my close friends has terminal cancer of the esophogus valve at the top of the stomach. He experienced some of the sensations that you are describing. I don't want to scare you, but it's important to stay up on your health.

Rich, my friend isn't expected to live until my wedding... four months away. It took him too long to get diagnosed to help him. The cancer, although treated, spread to the rest of his body via his lymph nodes. It's tough to see him wasting away. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. If you feel something is wrong, take charge of your health... even if it means being pushy about it!

Shannon

etherah

As I mentioned earlier, I work in radiology at the hospital. I just spoke with one of the radiologists that I work with about my lump (which still hasn't come back yet today ) and he wasn't very concerned. He just told me to wait a little while longer, continue taking Losec and see what happens. He said it sounds like it's probably just reflux or irritation.
Thanks for the advice and concern everyone!! Glad to know people are looking out for me!

etherah

Just an update...the lump is still gone. Guess it was just indigestion or reflux.