Since the summer of 2024, I have had occasional trouble with swallowing. Originally, the problem occurred sometimes when I swallowed supplements. Typically, I have always been able to swallow any kind of pill or capsule with no trouble at all and could typically swallow three to five at once without difficulty.
I remember at least one instance in June or July 2024 where a maca root capsule became stuck in my throat. I finally coughed it up after around half an hour. Beginning in the fall of 2025, I began to have more frequent problems with swallowing, including with food getting stuck in my throat. This happened with dry foods like bread and crackers.
The problems became even more frequent in December and January. I had a bad virus in December that inflamed my thyroid (see post). I didn't know if my goiter was a contributing factor to the swallowing problem or if worsening Sjögren's was more to blame.
I was concerned that the problem had reached the point to where I would need medical intervention. As the problem continued to worsen, I began swallowing lots of air, which caused additional problems. As the problem progressed, I tried to find answers.
I used my browser's search history to obtain dates and see what my concerns were.
Jan 15 trouble swallowing
Jan 16 swallow therapy
Jan 18 stress swallowing problems
Jan 18 swallowing techniques
Jan 18 how not to swallow
Jan 18 swallowing air while drinking
In January, I thought that stress was the main problem.
Feb 27 swallowing problems after covid
Feb 27 stress swallowing
In February, I thought that stress and the virus from December were the cause.
Mar 18 swallowing too much air
Mar 18 swallowing too much air when taking vitamins
Mar 20 what does difficulty swallowing feel like with Sjogren's
Mar 20 how to swallow properly
Mar 20 how to correct swallowing problems
Mar 20 swallowing exercises for Sjogren's
Mar 21 why do some people have trouble swallowing after a virus
Mar 26 how to avoid swallowing air
Mar 26 how to avoid swallowing air when taking vitamins
Mar 27 taking vitamins indigestion trouble swallowing
Mar 27 esophageal swelling immediately after swallowing vitamin
Mar 30 can heartburn narrow the esophagus to where swallowing is difficult
In March, I briefly tried swallowing exercises, which I quickly abandoned. I've been able to swallow fine my entire life, and this problem spiraled out of control in the last six months. I decided that the strength of my esophageal muscles or my technique wasn't likely the cause of the issue.
I also felt that something was off in my throat. It was like my esophagus had a pocket somewhere in the vicinity of my thyroid where stuff was getting stuck. Something was structurally wrong, and no amount of exercise would solve that problem.
I began to suspect that heartburn had something to do with it. If so, then it was caused by my vitamins, which were getting stuck in my throat at times. I did learn that pill esophagitis is an actual condition caused by pills getting stuck in the throat. The throat becomes irritated.
Two things happened at the beginning of April. I had a filling repaired on April 2, and that was the day that I searched for information about esophageal swelling caused by dental problems. I searched for that information before my appointment that day, since I recalled having an improvement in autoimmune symptoms after a filling repair in August 2024 (see post). I learned that dental problems could possibly cause some swelling in the throat. I don't think that was the problem, however.
In early April, I quit taking supplements that were harder to swallow or more likely to get stuck: probiotics, a multivitamin, B-complex, and maca root. I continued taking omega-3 oils and sea buckthorn, since they help my dryness.
My swallowing problems have lessened. I feel like the main culprit might have been the maca root, which was the supplement that gave me problems in the summer of 2024. I will never take it again. Eventually, I will resume some of the others, but I'm keeping off of them right now to give my throat a chance to settle down more.
I have been under intense stress this year, and people can develop swallowing problems due to stress. Viruses can cause swallowing problems as well. It could be that I had some irritation caused by maca root which worsened considerably after my virus and was also compounded by my high stress level.
I am still having some minor trouble swallowing. It's definitely much less of a problem than it was during the last few months. I am hopeful that I will continue to improve.
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