FreshFluff

As promised, here is my not very dramatic update: The doctor asked some excellent questions, used the tongue depressor, and then told me he had never heard of anything like what I described. I have to give him credit though: He said it didn't sound like muscle tension due to stress either. He referred me to an ENT who can do a more appropriate test, which will probably be that barium swallow thing.
 
While I'm glad it's nothing serious so far, waiting in doctors' offices is going to get old fast.
 

 
The health plan nurses? I though their main purpose was to keep people from coming in with colds and other complaints that don't require a doctor.

As promised, here is my not very dramatic update: The doctor asked some excellent questions, used the tongue depressor, and then told me he had never heard of anything like what I described. I have to give him credit though: He said it didn't sound like muscle tension due to stress either. He referred me to an ENT who can do a more appropriate test, which will probably be that barium swallow thing.
 
While I'm glad it's nothing serious so far, waiting in doctors' offices is going to get old fast.
 

 
The health plan nurses? I though their main purpose was to keep people from coming in with colds and other complaints that don't require a doctor.

As promised, here is my not very dramatic update: The doctor asked some excellent questions, used the tongue depressor, and then told me he had never heard of anything like what I described. I have to give him credit though: He said it didn't sound like muscle tension due to stress either. He referred me to an ENT who can do a more appropriate test, which will probably be that barium swallow thing.
 
While I'm glad it's nothing serious so far, waiting in doctors' offices is going to get old fast.
 

 
The health plan nurses? I though their main purpose was to keep people from coming in with colds and other complaints that don't require a doctor.

Unicorn, your advice was very helpful, but I've made an appointment to see a doctor. Also, thank you for racking your brain to help me out on this!

 

 
Unfortunately, my primary care doctor is in my home state. . I was able to get a good GI doc's name name before I could find a good ENT, so I went with the former. I'll probably data-dump him with everything I can think of.

Thank you to everyone. The posts were extremely helpful. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I woke up, the swallowing pain was nearly gone, after having been there for nearly six weeks. I can still feel a lot of tension in that area though.
 
Regardless I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist whom I'll be seeing soon..

Thank you to everyone. The posts were extremely helpful. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I woke up, the swallowing pain was nearly gone, after having been there for nearly six weeks. I can still feel a lot of tension in that area though.
 
Regardless I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist whom I'll be seeing soon..

Thank you to everyone. The posts were extremely helpful. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I woke up, the swallowing pain was nearly gone, after having been there for nearly six weeks. I can still feel a lot of tension in that area though.
 
Regardless I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist whom I'll be seeing soon..

Thank you to everyone. The posts were extremely helpful. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I woke up, the swallowing pain was nearly gone, after having been there for nearly six weeks. I can still feel a lot of tension in that area though.
 
Regardless I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist whom I'll be seeing soon..

Thank you to everyone. The posts were extremely helpful. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I woke up, the swallowing pain was nearly gone, after having been there for nearly six weeks. I can still feel a lot of tension in that area though.
 
Regardless I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist whom I'll be seeing soon..

You can always start with the ENT. But if he doesn't see anything and the pain seems a bit lower down, then a gastroenterologist is the way to go.
 
Gman

Hang tough. Hope to read some good news from you soon. All the best.

Wishing you all the best in determining why you're having pain during swallowing. I'd avoid the medical self-diagnosis, because resources online often point to the most serious of conditions, that aren't applicable to people. Hopefully just some gastric reflux, seasonal allergy related issue, or perhaps a dental issue. It's great that you're being so proactive about finding out what's going on, though! Some people delay seeking treatment for fear of what it "might" be and end up suffering unnecessarily when the real cause turns out to be something very treatable.
 
Just remember, that esophageal cancer statistically comprises less than 1% of all new cancer cases year year; it's very very rare! Much more likely you've got something more innocuous and VERY treatable. Please take care!

+1 on the stop googling. I once convinced myself I had leprosy.

http://www.pleated-jeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Cat_hug.gif

correct....I read and reread before posting....did not wish to insert myself in to a private...my point is no one should be called out for expressing a feeling and asking for help with a problem....duly noted and understood...

Just remember it's much more likely to be a case of post-nasal drip or occult gastroesophageal reflux.
 
Wishing you the best news on your checkup!!!
 
http://www.brookfieldflorist.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/y/f/yf1111_10.jpg
 
Gman

if.you.are.taking.steroid.medications.inhalers.other.medications.thrush.may.be.an.issue.someone.mentioned.heartburn.GERD.frequently.will.present.as.painful.swallowing./////I.agree.with.those.who.suggest.seeing.a.professional.your.PCP.may.be.enough.or.at.least.she.may.point.you.in.the.right.direction.

I'll join the chorus to call in the professionals.
 
Difficulty swallowing IS one of the "seven warning signs" of cancer that they used to warn about, but it can also be caused my many other things. You may just have a latent case of strep throat.
 
Don't make your condition worse by worrying about it until a doctor gives you something to worry about, but get your butt to the doctor so he can do his job. It actually could be nothing to worry about. Allow yourself to admit it might be nothing.

Fluff, there are so many factors that can be involved. The fact that it occurred right after a dental procedure could have triggered something and there might be a cause and effect relationship. You are right on target by having both the doctor and your dentist evaluate the situation. There could possibly be some sort of refered pain of a dental nature that might be contributing to the situation. However, there are also many other scenarios in addition to esophageal cancer that could be causing the issue. The Internet is a great tool, but at times it's possible to be overly informed.
 
I have always said that many patients are seemingly so well informed that they are actually uninformed in the sense that they don't have a proper grasp or understanding of the issues at hand.

Many of us have been in your shoes so we can relate to your concerns. Let the professionals diagnose and in the meantime take a deep breath, relax, and think positively. Easier said than done, but do try.

I had a lung cancer scare eighteen months ago. The worse thing I did was look at every medical site on the Internet.
 
Then I got a second and third opinion from pulminary specialists. They dismissed lung cancer, and I have been fine ever since. Please see a doctor and a specialist as soon as you possibly can, Fresh Fluff.
 
You have a huge amount of courage to post on this site, or any site, about a possible medical problem!

Agree with everyone above FreshFluff. Ease your mind by going to professionals. Wishing you the best, and please keep us posted, Sent you a PM.
 
I will say that the title to the thread certainly got my attention.

I think you're doing the right thing by getting to the doctor and the dentist - not only to see if they can find the problem but also, very importantly, to ease your own mind. And please don't forget that self-diagnosis can be a very misleading thing. That's why there are professionals to diagnose for you, lol.
 
Above all, don't worry yourself crazy. Hopefully and most likely, it's not nearly at all as bad as you might think it is.
 
Glad you shared with us, though. And I'm sending wonderful thoughts your way.

Fresh Fluff, it could also just be (and more likely) a sore threat or heart burn. But once you put a worse-case scenario idea in your mind its hard to get rid of it, so yes, see the ENT to set your mind at ease.

No, you did not offend me in any way, Fresh Fluff. Absolutely not! I did not have your courage when I thought I might have lung cancer (after a scan). After reading your comments, I wish I had told more people. Even I had been offended,
I care about you too much to even think about it, now or later.

Wow, I really screwed that up. I meant that, as William implied, "It's not very smart to post about these things [health issues] here [on a message board] as it makes you [the general you, e.g. me] sound like a hypochondriac." William has shown no signs of being a hypochondriac, so I would never have thought of that. I almost substituted "one"for "you," but I thought "one" sounded pretentious.
 
Thickornotatall, I appreciate your pointing that out. I've PM'd with William for some time, and I would have been really upset if I had offended him.
 
Added: William, if I offended you or anyone else, I'm really sorry. That was the opposite of my intent.