What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing?

Having some difficulty swallowing, as if I'm thinking it but only half of my swallowing muscles want to do it. There have been times when I almost couldn't swallow when I tried to. No pain associated at site, however, I am also having pain in mid to upper mid thoracic which feels like gas pocket. I changes intensity but not food related. Have had this all day and have been on "flat" (not gassy) diet for 3 days. I have GERD but have never experienced this before. All I can say is "UGH!" (Well, at least my humor is still intact) I have been having muscle spasms in my mid back, from Kidney area to shoulder blades, for months now. i am a VA patient so I am at the mercy of "VA" scheduling. I am awaiting the final MRI of L5 to the Sac, already had the rest of back, from stem to Lumbar done. Haven't been "read" in on findings yet, that may take another 2 months. In the meantime the consensus is I may have some neurological issues. This "swallowing" thing is kind of "un-nerving" because I am concerned that I will get "stuck in the middle of the process and choke. Any thoughts?