I've had this issue over the last few years where food will get stuck in my esophagus right at the sternum and refuse to go down. Its usually chicken that causes it, but we eat a ton of chicken so its still a small percentage of the time. I end up having to stand over a trash can or sink and more or less wait until it eventually comes back up. It almost feels like I'm trying to burp it back up sometimes.

Used to happen maybe once per year but has become more frequent recently so I need to go get it checked out. Its pretty uncomfortable when it happens.

Anyone had anything similar to this?

Yeah I figured it was gonna be an EGD. I've been meaning to get it done for a bit now, but it was so infrequent that I wasn't worried. But its happened twice in the last 2 weeks and its definitely somewhat painful.

Then my wife sent me some damn thing with cancer attached to it and that was definitely the kick in the ass I needed.

As others have said, you need to get scoped. I had the same issue and dr says I have EOE (eosinophilic eso****itis). I ended up getting dupixent for it and have not had problems since.

I had the issue in college. It was an esoph-ageal ring. Basically scar tissue formed around the esophagus. It only bothered me occasionally initially, but it got worse.

They shoved tubes down my throat until they popped the ring. Have not had trouble in the decades since.

Texags does not like the type of ring.

OP, I had this for years. You need to get a gastroscopy as others have said above. Mine was EOE, or eosiniphilic eso****itis. I have since had to change my habits since finding about about some other health issues. I have slowed way down on alcohol (3-4 drinks per weekend) and I have switched to eating "real" foods and eliminated processed foods. The EOE symptoms cleared up in 6mo. Not sure if it was the diet change or cutting alcohol. I suspect it was the alcohol.

Another tip - if you find yourself with stuck food, get away from everyone and go sit by yourself in a quiet room and sip water (like a teaspoon at a time). Going to the sink and beating on your chest and jumping up and down only makes it tense up worse. I have had episodes of this where it took me 10-15min to get the food down. Good luck!

I used to get this. I am not a doctor.

It happened back when I had terrible GERD. Rice was the main culprit. Cutting back on beer changed it over night. I did some research and learned that in my case it was the esophagus spasming. The only simple fix then was to trigger my gag reflex. More often than not, nothing came up which validated to me that food was not getting stuck, but there was spasming.

I have had this for years as well. At first it was bad when I was younger because I would try to gulp water but it just made it worse. I had to convince myself that I was ok and that I could breathe.

I had been scoped and ballooned 3 or 4 times because of a stricture. I also have eosinophilic esophogitus. One of the several times I have ended up in the ER after hours of it being stuck, they told me to try warm, dark soda. The bubbles help to move things around.

I was planning on bringing it up lol. I just turned 35, but my wife had massive polyps taken out last year at 34 so I'm definitely interested in having it done.

I have this happen randomly as well but it is only with fried rice from certain Asian restaurants but does not trigger from all fried rice. I just avoid fried rice from certain restaurants but the feeling is not good when the rice just stays stuck and anything you drink just sits on top of the stuck food.

Yeah I used to try and force down with fluid, but it all coming back up.

Now its definitely just sit and wait for it to eventually work its way back up.

This happens to me with starchy foods.

French Fries, potatoes, etc.

JP76 said:

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I have this happen randomly as well but it is only with fried rice from certain Asian restaurants but does not trigger from all fried rice. I just avoid fried rice from certain restaurants but the feeling is not good when the rice just stays stuck and anything you drink just sits on top of the stuck food.

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Wow! The fried rice gets me too!! T Jin seems to effect me the most, which sucks because I love their fried rice.

I'm a doctor and have had this for years as well. GI and endoscopy is the answer. I'm also on omeprazole for life now. Not treating or taking care of this can lead to cancer, so it needs to be looked at.

You should be on a very soft and liquid/mushy diet for about a week after that procedure to let it heal without developing any further scar tissue or strictures afterwards. You will need follow up procedures to check on it again from time to time.
I've had 6 already.

Biopsies were all negative. They basically just told me to come back if it ever becomes a problem again.

wangus12 said:

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Biopsies were all negative. They basically just told me to come back if it ever becomes a problem again.

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Congrats and hopefully you're done dealing with this. It can be frustrating when there are no answers, though.