Difficulty swallowing

Hi, 

Just looking to see if any one on here as experienced the same symptoms as my dad ( I am driving myself mad with google).

He has suffered from Acid reflux for as long as I can remember and had a stomach ulcer many years ago too. Around 6 weeks ago he began feeling like food was getting stuck in his throat. A few days later he noticed a lump on the left side of his neck above his collar bone. He had an appointment with his GP who has referred him to ENT department ( we have another week until his appointment).

Since his GP appointment the difficulty swallowing has gotten worse. He says he feels like there is also a dull ache in his stomach and he burps a lot after eating. He also seems to be having the odd nap which isn't like him and feeling cold sometimes. 

I think I have come to terms with the fact we probably will have a cancer diagnosis but I'm just looking to see if anyone else has had similar symptoms?

If anyone could also explain what happened at their first ENT appointment that would be helpful. We have heard from others it might just be a chat with a doctor. We were really hoping there would be some sort of investigation of the throat or the lump as the 5 week wait for the appointment has be agonising. 

  • Hi Ashley, I was referred to ENT a couple of years ago for similar symptoms. Persistent sore throat, feeling like I had a lump in my throat when swallowing, difficulty swallowing small things like tablets, felt like they kept sticking in my throat, constant burping & mild nausea.  I have also suffered from acid reflux and been on medication for it for approx 20 years.

    At my ENT appointment I had blood tests done & the doctor put a small camera up my nose & it then went down the back of the throat as far as my vocal cords. No problems were found other than slight redness at the back of my throat, which the doctors decided was probably due to my acid reflux. They increased my medication to 20mg twice a day instead of once & gaviscon advance liquid before bed. I was also referred for an endoscopy, just to double check that there wasn't a problem further down into my stomach. They took biopsies of a couple of polyps, which came back benign.

    So basically, all of my symptoms were from a really bad acid refux flare up (they said that acid coming up your throat, causes the valve in your throat to become swollen, which then feels like you have a lump in your throat).

    I really hope that it is nothing more than that with your Dad too. Hopefully you will get answers soon.

    Good luck

    Annie