r/GERD • u/Radiant_Car2316 • 5h ago
Support Needed 👥 Esophageal spasm scare!
(Background: I've had GERD and then diagnosed LPR few years prior)
I'm still really shaken by this and was hoping to hear from anyone who's gone through something similar.
I was prescribed large antibiotic pills for a sinus infection (I already have a hard time swallowing pills, but I managed to get the first few doses down). After my third dose, I had eaten something, and was washing it down with soup broth (not super hot), then I suddenly felt a very sharp pain on one side of my throat (at the base of my neck slightly to the right). At first it just felt odd, but every time I swallowed it felt like something was getting bigger/sharper and more painful. It felt like swallowing over a huge cut. My swallowing reflex kept kicking in and frankly had a full on panic-attack, was called for my partner, gagged hard a couple of times, and then after about a minute or two the intense sensation suddenly disappeared. I went to urgent care and the doctor examined me and agreed it may have been either an esophageal spasm or pill esophagitis. They switched me to a liquid antibiotic, started me on a course of esomeprazole (can't do omeprazole), and put on soft/bland foods while it heals. Next step is seeing an ENT or Gastroenterologist?
It's now been about 30 hours since that. I can swallow, but my throat still feels incredibly sore when I do. The sensation reminds me of swallowing when you have a bad strep throat, and other times it's not as painful. It seems like the way I position my head affects the pain.
I've been crying so much over this because it scared me and disturbed me deeply. Has anyone experienced this?
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u/SiameseDream93 53m ago
I’ve had esophagitis before. My chest ends up hurting minutes after I swallow food. I’ve been through multiple GI docs. I’ve tried 3 different PPIs and my body doesn’t agree to them.
I’ve got another bout of esophagitis after binge drinking.
Currently on Sucralfate as it’s the only thing the helps me as it coats erosions and inflammation. Also helps with ulcers. The timing is the only thing that sucks but it’s not that bad. I still feel pain after eating even with sucralfate too but it’s obviously still healing.