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I mentioned the problem to my diabetes doctor, Dr. J, who explained that the esophagus is a series of three muscle tubes that work together. Swallowing starts with the brain telling the topmost tube to contract and then relax. The second tube tries to copy the first and the lowest tube copies the middle tube. When something impinging on the nerve inhibits or stimulates the transmission, the top tube starts spasming, with the other two, confused, trying to synchronize. When the tubes are spasming, it can feel like you've swallowed a chunk of wood or rock; it can easily be confused with a heart attack.
That happened to me recently. I took a swallow of an electrolyte-enhanced vitamin water and my esophagus went into spasms. It felt like I had swallowed a pointed wooden block, the kind you give to kids as toys. Knowing what was happening, based on Dr. J's explanation, and having had less severe swallowing and coughing problems recently, I quickly ruled out the possibility of a heart attack. I tried to relax and take some deep breaths. Apparently that was the right thing to do, as the discomfort quickly passed.
Why have I been having arthritis problems recently? Because the weather is unsettled, going from cold to hot to cool again in less than a week. Everything in my back hurts, particularly in a band near the upper part of my shoulder blades. My knees, hips, wrists and neck have also been giving me problems, so I know I've been under the weather.
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