Fern (Uk) on 12/20/2013

Hi, I would really appreciate advice on a throat problem I've had for over three years. I am at the end of my tether. It's very simple - I was eating an apple when a large piece of peel slid down "the wrong way" and lodged in my trachea beneath the vocal cords. No amount of coughing would dislodge it. I could still breathe (obviously) but the discomfort was indescribable.

Off I went to the doctor, then A&E, and eventually an ENT doctor. I've been relentlessly patronised and told it's a "scratch", acid reflux, or globus sensation. I had nasal endoscopy (3 times) and finally a bronchoscopy under general anaesthetic, in which, to my utter dismay the ENT doc couldn't find the apple peel. (Personally I suspect he failed to look carefully enough - I've read that up to 25% of bronchoscopies miss the foreign object they're looking for. Also this same doctor misdiagnosed a friend of mine with asthma when she actually had a virus...)

Because of the negative bronchoscopy, I cannot convince any doctor that my problem is real. But I KNOW what I swallowed (inhaled, rather) and I know it's still there - I still struggle with the pain and discomfort every single day and it's badly reduced my quality of life and damaged my overall health. I hoped the apple peel would break up or soften so I could cough it out, but this hasn't happened. Instead it feels as if it's shrunk and gone leathery. It's wedged under my vocal cord in such a way that it cannot escape. I've tried coughing, not coughing, steam inhalation, doctors, Chinese medicine, EFT and speech therapy, even spraying my throat with cellulase enzyme to try to soften the peel - nothing has worked. Three, nearly four years of this discomfort has left me exhausted and depressed and feeling I'll never be normal again.

Sorry this has got so long. It's over a year since I saw my GP and I'm scared to go again - I'm really sick of being treated as if I'm nuts and imagining it. I'm just searching for new ideas. Can anyone think of any substance or technique that would help my throat break down and expel this wretched piece of peel?

And can I ask a favour? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't tell me it's a "scratch", or stress, or acid reflux, or thyroid etc. Please answer as if my foreign body problem is REAL. Which it is!!! Any advice will be most gratefully received. Thank you.

PS. I'm female, age 57, British, not overweight, and in generally good health apart from this particular problem. I don't have dysphagia or any other underlying health issues.

Replied By Theresa

(Mpls., Mn) on 12/20/2013

Theresa

The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.

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Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.

Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.

Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.

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Hey Fern! What comes to mind is homeopathic silica - 'silicea' - 30C for chronic problems. 200C for stubborn problems. You may wish to google silicea and the difference in potencies as only you can determine if this is the right remedy for you.

Replied By Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/20/2013

Fern, read up on h2o2 inhalation.

Replied By Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 12/20/2013

Fern: Dilute some live saurkraut that has not been pasteurized with water, grind up in the blender, add some raw honey, and gargle. The salt, sulfur, enzymes, and acids, can dissolve the debris. The nutrients can heal the wound. Latvia sells bee bread. You can add some of that.

Replied By Elle (Mn) on 12/20/2013

I read in Readers Digest years ago about a small child who inhaled a pistachio shell. Told mom he did, she told drs. They said nothing was there, but he has asthma. about 5 years later, he coughed up a pistachio shell & the astham was cured! drs. ha

Replied By Fern (Uk) on 12/20/2013

Exactly! I read about someone who had a peanut stuck in his lung for 28 years! I don't have 28 years!!! :-(

Replied By Carly (Wa, Usa) on 12/21/2013

Hello Fern,

Just off the top of my head....i would try organic coconut oil in a hot cup of coffee ( or tea) daily. Eventually the heat mixed with the coconut oil may cause it to swell up enough to expell itself.

i kind of imagine it like the feeling of having a popcorn hull stuck in ones throat from what you have said? That has got to be miserable! My very best wishes to you on finding a cure...please keep us posted, and good luck!

Replied By Fern (Uk) on 12/21/2013

Thank you so much for your replies so far. I googled "Silicea" and it was listed as the "#1 remedy for expelling foreign bodies"! Altho I'm a little skeptical of homeopathy I will certainly give it a try. Re the sauerkraut - wouldn't you have to strain it before gargling with the juice? (I don't want even more gunk getting stuck down there! ). I'll look into the coconut oil and the H2O2 too - I've read mixed reports about the latter, some sweaing it cures everything and others saying it's not so useful. I'm willing to try almost anything tho!

Some days it's more painful than others - especially if I've been talking a lot - but yes, it does feel pretty much like a big popcorn husk, or a piece of soft plastic with sharp edges (eg. like a candy wrapper) digging into the inside of my windpipe, or... exactly like you'd expect a piece of tough apple peel to feel. NOT pleasant. I suppose I'm lucky I didn't choke to death on the spot, but I would wish this on anyone!

Replied By Faeqa ( Amman, Jordan) on 12/22/2013

Hi I suggest for food stuck in throat to put a little of herbs which make u sneeze a lot like pepper in your nose and sneeze from your throat strongly.

Replied By Fern (Uk) on 12/22/2013

Of course, I meant to say I would NOT wish this on anyone! Faeqa - thank you, it's a good suggestion and I have tried pepper in the past, but even forceful sneezing fails to dislodge it. I know this from having had several colds, plus almost daily random sneezes, even if I try to sneeze with my head back so my throat is wide open. I feel it moving around a bit, but not enough to escape - it just digs into my vocal cords and hurts.

I live in hope that it will eventually weaken and break down enough to come out. I never dreamed apple peel could stay in one piece for so long! Nearly 4 years? It makes you wonder what chemicals, preservatives, waxes or whatever they are using on our fruit? I always peel apples now. I wish I could go back to that day and not eat that stupid apple at all!

Happy Festive Season to everyone. xxx

Replied By Bree (Riverside Ca. U.s.) on 12/22/2013

Fern, when I had stomach problems I was sent to a doctor that after giving me medication to sleep ran a thin tube with a camera in the tube into my mouth and down my throat into my stomach. (I was awake enough to see the screen at my side which was interesting as our insides have interesting colors! ) The doctor had to give me more medication that made me sleep. Once this camera/tube was inserted down my throat the doctor could see all the way down into my intestines! I wonder if a professional could do that for you and your problem? Seems to me that you need to actually see if that apple peel is lodged in your trachea or another area? You will have to drink a solution that cleans everything out of your intestines and stomach. At least you will know what you are dealing with and where it is located. If I had your problem I would chose this option.

Replied By Real (L.a) on 03/11/2014

I read about cases where people accidentally swallowed tootpicks tweezers etc.. they take an xray or ultrasound and you can see the item as clear as day and the doctor goes in and dislodges it. Just find a doctor that will do his job which is to help you.

Replied By Emma (Australia) on 01/31/2016

Hi Fern, have you had any success removing your foreign body?

My mother was drinking a glass of apple juice and had something lodge in her throat, she too has been dismissed by doctors now, after having ct scan, scope under anaesthetic, etc.. She is a police officer, having this has destroyed her well being, she has only had it for 4 weeks but has lost weight and is in a lot of discomfort. She can't work or function, it is all she thinks about.

Replied By Viverre (Calf) on 02/01/2016

In the "try everything mode"...have you tried standing on your head ? Have someone help you or lay across a bed and put the top of your head on the floor. Bounce around a little. Maybe gravity will help dislodge it. Also try eating dry bread. Sometimes the bulk of bread moving down your throat can latch onto things and remove them.

Replied By Ginny (Ny) on 04/14/2016

Fern, it has been several years, but I just stumbled upon this blog while looking for answers to a throat lump. Just wondered whether you were ever able to dislodge that apple peel and, if so, how? Thanks. Hope you are well.

Replied By LizzyDuck (Keltonburg, TN) on 03/04/2023

I too have suffered for 52 years of having food lodged in my throat and staying for extended periods of time...
My best success has been in sourcing "Food-Grade" essential oils. I put a drop or two in my tea and drink daily. These break down the food and dislodge it...
I've also purchased organic lemons - wash, chop and put into blender whole (skin seeds) Add 8 oz water and 8 oz grape juice. Blend and drink.

My theory is that once the food becomes lodged, the body creates mucus to alleviate it... the food is kept warm, thus fermentation and a breeding ground for bacteria...the mucus then hardens to a cocoon type structure that is persistent and extremely difficult to remove...
I have only found essential oils strong enough to break through and give relief.
I have also had amazing relief by using a gua sha tool, rubbing upwards on my throat towards my chin... Massaging the area (always have oil on your skin to keep the skin from sticking to the tool)
My last amazing rescue suggestion is to purchase an acupressure pen- Amazon $25. put the flat tip on and massage upward towards your chin in 5 minute increments. If you feel a stinging sensation this means that the pen is not making proper contact- add more oil to your skin. Keep the pen in a fluid motion moving back and forth. (set it no higher than 5. 3 seems optimal for me)

Best to drink 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar with the mother in hot water like a tea each morning.

God Bless You and Keep You!

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