Food getting stuck on epiglottis while swallowing. What could be wrong?

Question

For the past 4-5 months my mother has had trouble swallowing food because it will get stuck on her epiglottis and cause he to choke often. She has been to an ear/nose/throat doctor and had a barium swallow done but it did not show any abnormalities. If you have any experience please help me find out what is wrong with her. Here is more info about her swallowing and past medical history. Also feel free to email me if you need more info. Thank you in advance

-Had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and part of her thyroid was removed in 2002 and now she has Graves disease

-History of Acid Reflux which she continues to have about three times per week

-When she swallows liquid it feels as if there is a lump in her throat

-The smaller pieces of food that she swallows cause the problem (pieces of hamburger meat, corn, onions, broccoli), larger pieces are not the problem.

-This happens every times she eats and will only eat while others are around since she has choked before.

Answer 1

If she has upper back pain as well get her to a docs asap. Annoy them for further tests. Email if you like.  

Answer 2

Google Barretts Esophagus.  This is a form of metaplasia (one adult cell type changing into another adult cell type) in the esophagus as a result of excess acid.  Chronic acid reflux will cause the cuboid cells of the esophagus to change to the more protective squamous cells.  The metaplasia along with the chronic acid being introduced into the esophagus will cause inflammation.  Also we must consider any complications your mother had with her partial thyroidectomy.  There could be some fibrotic tissue surrounding (maybe putting pressure on) the esophagus as a result of her surgery.

I strongly recommend taking your  mother to see a licensed Naturopathic physician as they have extensive training in dealing with chronic conditions.