Choking On Food

[Happyw5]

I was never diagnosed with celiac, however, I do have a wheat allergy and a gluten sensativity. I am sure I would have had celiac if I did the testing. I went gluten free before the test, and I won't eat it again.

My son is 9 years old and extremely small and underweight. For the last few days he has been gagging and choking on his food. Since yesterday he can't swallow anything unless it is liquid or jello. The dr's did nothing. I am going to see a specialist if he doesn't start eating by tomorrow. Should I see a gastro dr. or an allergist or an ENT? I am afraid if I bring up the possiblity of being an allergy to wheat or celiac, they will not believe me. They think I blame everything on gluten...I guess it just took away so many of my issues that I do blame it for alot of stuff... I am treating him with zantac right now, according to the dr it may just be acid reflux. Have any of you had symptoms like choking with your celiac?

[dcns65]

YES! That was what sent us to the pediatrician. My 14 year old son has been small, underweight since age 9 when his growth slowed. We attributed it to genetics (we are all thin), his picky eating, and the concerta he was taking. Last summer his appetite dropped off, which started to concern me but when he started choking/gagging and burping when eating I knew something wasn't right. Fortunately our pediatrician agreed that something was off. His thyroid was also enlarged. Blood tests showed highly likely Celiac and hypothyroidism. She made an immediate referral to the GI doctor who bet her paycheck that he was Celiac. He's been Gluten Free for 10 months now and has gained 12 lbs. He's still small and thin, but he's eating, growing and feeling so much better.

[mommida]

Get to a gastro. doc. as soon as you can. You should be checking for Eosinophilic Esophagitus (by the way has a proven connection to Celiac).

You have not listed tons of symptoms for this, but it can cause food to be stuck in the esophagus.

[Happyw5]

Get to a gastro. doc. as soon as you can. You should be checking for Eosinophilic Esophagitus (by the way has a proven connection to Celiac).

You have not listed tons of symptoms for this, but it can cause food to be stuck in the esophagus.

Does that mean he may actually have food stuck in his esophagus or he just has the sensation?

He has been having alot of belly aches lately and having chest pains. We made an appointment a few weeks ago for him and then it seemed to get better. He can't walk for very long with out resting. His complaints are usually high in the belly area. He also has "growing pains" according to the dr. His feet and legs feel like there is an electric shock sensation going through them. Sometimes he has to have help walking, especially right after standing up. It sounds bad, but it doesn't seem that bad when it is happening and then he's fine a few minutes later...He has also been taken to the hospital because of severe constipation. He has thrown up food for days becaus.e nothing could go in, and until he went to the bathroom he couldn't eat

[mommida]

There really can be food stuck.

The eosinophils damage the esophagus with inflammation, furrows, schatzki rings (rings of inflammation that keep tightening down to the point there may be a need for surgery to dilate).

Oddly enough young patients complain of the WHOLE belly area hurting and constipation is an on-going battle. Constipation to the point of causing urinary track infections because the bladder can not fully empty because of the pressure.

Please do a quick search on Eosinophilic Esophagitus and do not delay seeking medical treatment.

[mommida]

It could also be symptoms of a hernia.

But honestly, the best way to get answers is for an endoscopy with biopsy.

[Happyw5]

There really can be food stuck.

The eosinophils damage the esophagus with inflammation, furrows, schatzki rings (rings of inflammation that keep tightening down to the point there may be a need for surgery to dilate).

Oddly enough young patients complain of the WHOLE belly area hurting and constipation is an on-going battle. Constipation to the point of causing urinary track infections because the bladder can not fully empty because of the pressure.

Please do a quick search on Eosinophilic Esophagitus and do not delay seeking medical treatment.

Thanks for the info. I did google it and it sounds so much like him. He seems to be doing a little better right now, he ate a little dinner and didn't feel like he was choking. I still made him an appointment to see his regular dr tomorrow. I will let you know if I find anything out...

[Mom2J112903]

He needs a swallow study to see if he has developed Dysphagia. That is the LEAST invasive test that can be done and THEN the endoscope. A GOOD GI will do the LEAST invasive testing first before proceeding to a surgery-IF at ALL possible. Answers can be found in something as a swallow study, so why risk a surgery if it is not needed?

[Happyw5]

He needs a swallow study to see if he has developed Dysphagia. That is the LEAST invasive test that can be done and THEN the endoscope. A GOOD GI will do the LEAST invasive testing first before proceeding to a surgery-IF at ALL possible. Answers can be found in something as a swallow study, so why risk a surgery if it is not needed?

So he has a swallow study scheduled for Tuesday morning. He has been able to swallow soft food, but it still feels like something is stuck, but only when he eats. He is doing well other than that. They are still treating him for heartburn...Hopefully something will be found out soon. Thanks for listening.

[mommida]

The way my daughter's EoE symptoms developed, a scope was how she was diagnosed.

She didn't have any food stuck in her throat before diagnoses.

Good luck for your testing on Tuesday. Please keep us informed on how things are going.

[Mom2J112903]

Just rememeber that a swallow study is only a snapshot and may or may not show what you have seen at home. My son was coughing/gagging on solid foods as well as liquids. Only liquids proved to be an aspiration risk on swallow study though. His scopes show damage from GERD but that does not cause the problems with swallowing that he has. We have no idea what is causing the Dysphagia.