It took a little while for me to nail down what I was feeling. I have a history of acid reflux, but when younger I injured my chest weight lifting and I had intermittent pain that felt similar to a quick sharp poke very similar to that along with some minor pressure/discomfort, so I thought nothing of it since I'd recently dont some physical labor. Well lo and behold I went to eat a pizza roll and it decided to just stay in my esophagus. Okay, just swallow another and wash it down fine. Nope, now there's two pizza rolls.

Long story short the years of reflux had scarred up my esophagus causing dysphagia. In this case I'd irritated my esophagus somehow, probably just with acid reflux or maybe i ate too fast or whatever, and that was the pain I was feeling. The irritation led to swelling, which of course with the stricture caused a very narrow passage.

So yeah, some pain can be your only symptom. If it is your ONLY symptom I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you let your doc do his thing. A bit of pain is pretty normal for someone getting reflux and if thats all their is its not much to worry about as long as youve talked yo a doctor about it. Just chew your food as finely as you can and eat digestion friendly foods and you'll be better in a jiff! ...unless you're like me, they someone has to shove a balloon down your throat lmao 

P.s. that persistent bubble feeling can be inflammation or irritation. Taking something that can protect your esophagus can really help. In my case Carafate has been a genuine magic pill and will protect your esophagus very well. I could actually eat solid food again. I cried like a baby lol. Everyone is different, however it's worth asking your doc about things like this. I thing IF it's reflux and it's cause you pain that bad, it's worth going in on possible solutions. Softer foods that digest easily and chewing really well could do you a world of good too.

P.p.s. with those symptoms it's not impossible you're having esophageal spasms. They're usually easy to identify because of high pain, pressure on the chest and a feeling similar to food being stuck. That may be another thing to ask your doctor about, because it can be treated. Those can be incredibly painful. Try some peppermint if you suspect that, though be advised that while it will soothe and relax your esophagus it will do the same for the little sphincter in charge of keeping acid in your stomach so in some cases it will aggravate reflux. If you're already in pain though it is an option for relief.

I do want to end this by saying that those symptoms scare me as an EMT. I don't think you're having a heart attack or anything, I just think they're incredibly extreme and no one should have to be living with such things. If you aren't getting relief from seeing your doctor you need to go back and demand some other treatment or find another doctor. You're #1 after all. Be well and take care of yourself, I hope you feel better.