I have sudden, severe pain in my throat/esophagus on occasion when I eat or drink. The pain is in a very specific, small area, about the size of a nickel, on the left side of my throat/esophagus. I had the pain years ago and experienced maybe a dozen painful episodes, usually one or two per day. I have had the pain again for the last couple weeks. It occurs only when I eat or drink, but again only once or twice a day on average. The pain feels like I am being stabbed and lasts only 20 seconds or so. Then the area feels rather normal. On occasion I feel a twitch in that area when I eat instead of the intense pain. When I suffered with this problem years ago I saw 2 ENTs who basically were no help. I m thinking I might need a gastroenterologist. What is causing that pain?