Experiencing Debilitating Esophagus Problems. Cannot Swallow Food. Prescribed PPI. Triggers Panic Attacks. Remedy?

Posted on Sat, 21 Sep 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Sep 2013 Answered on

Thu, 17 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband is experiencing debilitating esophagus problems. I'm unsure if I need to speak with a gastroenterologist or an ENT. What is your thought? He cannot swallow solid food and feels like something is stuck in his throat. Pills get stuck. He has Schatski's ring, and gets it stretched every couple of years. He had an endoscopy 3 weeks ago, but there was too much inflammation to stretch it. Doc told him to take 40Mg of PPIs for 8 weeks and come back, but he can't go on like this. He can't even take the pills! The throat problem gets so bad that it triggers panic attacks now (which he has NEVER had), so he is dealing with the anxiety symptoms, etc. He can't sleep. Can't eat. I don't know what to do. He was also recently put on Seroquel, which I know has dysphagia as a side effect, but I don't know anymore...

Answered by Dr. Amit Jain (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please see the details

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in XXXXXXX I am a Gastroenterologist (DM).

I appreciate your concern regarding your husband. I will advise him to get repeat endoscopy examination and streching of the ring. And repeat endoscopy should be done after 2 weeks. Also he should continue with proton pump inhibitor along with a prokinetic agent like domperidone. No need to panic as this can be cured, for anxiety he can take tablet clonazepam. Vomiting, dry mouth and dysphagia are all side effects of Seroquel so discuss with your doctor to replace it.

I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar