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Lyme and Swallowing/Throat Issues

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Posted 4/21/2017 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

Recently diagnosed with Lyme and co infections through German Labs. Have had neurological symptoms, fatigue, muscle tightness, face and jaw pain for the past 15 months. One of first symptoms was a flu which affected my swallow and I have been on a liquid diet since Feb 2016. Lots of tests carried out all clear and am working with speech and language therapist for muscle tension in neck and cricopharyngeal spasm.

Now attending a LLMD and started antibiotics a month ago. 8 have seen improvement in aches and pains and fatigue already. Just wondering if anyone else experiences issue with Throat and swallow which affected their diet.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Posted 4/21/2017 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Snappygums, welcome to the forum!

I see that this is your first post, so I don't know if you have already read through the 'New to Lyme....' sticky at the top of the posts page? If not, be sure to check it out as there is some excellent info there that you will find helpful - especially the detox stuff.

I am glad to hear that you have been seeing improvements - that is really good news!!

I too had some, albeit mild, throat issues. Mostly a periodically sore throat that accompanied difficulty swallowing (a feeling like I had a big lump stuck in my throat, lol). I also now suffer from almost constant tonsil stones, which are darn painful!! I can only assume they are Lyme and Co related as I never had them before and they are worse if I have a flare up and or don't detox enough.

I am sure others will be along soon with their insight too - and hopefully some specific ways to remedy it if possible smile
Posted 4/21/2017 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Snappygums!
Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

If ​you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And, here's another good place to find helpful detoxing rout​​ines:​http://www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html​​

I've not had any serious throat issues, but I have had serious GI issues. This is often caused by infection of the vagus nerve. I have seen a bit of improvement with regular use of Lion's mane extract, but I've got a ways to go still for things to work "normally".

I am very happy to hear that you have seen some improvements though - Congratulations!

​
Posted 4/21/2017 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes definitely know about swallowing/throat issues. I've been advised it is a neurological thing. When nervous system is in overdrive from either the infection or from our own immune system in response to treatment.
Potentially irritation of Vagus nerve was also mentioned for me too.
Posted 4/21/2017 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Snappygums,

My boyfriend and I both have lyme and we've each had really different experiences with throat/swallowing stuff.

I'll start with mine - I also have lots of tention and pain in my neck, face and jaw. Sometimes I have really horrible esophageal spasms. It's always after I eat (doesn't matter what) and it feels like a heart attack in my chest and causes pain all the way into the back of my throat. It often causes me to throw up.

>The solution I've found is to drink a HUGE glass of water without breathing for as long as you can. The rhythm of swallowing regulates the spasms.

For my boyfriend it's definitely more neuro based. Then again, so are his symptoms. Early on his anxiety and hallucinations were so severe that when he watched a throat cutting scene in Game of Throne's he became incredibly sensitive about his neck and throat. He get's really bothered by collars and ties and sometimes he has a lot of trouble with swallowing and eating.

>His solution was to sort of train his brain to move past it. He wore ties to try and desensitize that reaction and it's a lot better than it was but it's still a thing.

Good luck! Everyone is so different it's impossible to find a one size fits all answer but it's wonderful you have a doctor to help!
Posted 4/21/2017 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Snappygums, welcome!

I just wanted to welcome you, as well as let you know that although not as severe as your throat issues...I also had the lump in throat sensation...
At one point I was actually choking on my spit..if I wasn't careful..

This was all pre-diagnosis. I had my thyroid checked. Then I had a barium swallow X-ray...all normal.
Then my Dr. sent me to an ENT Dr. He put a tube with a camera through my nose...to look at my throat/vocal cords. he had me drink something and then chew a cookie and swallow. Nothing showed...my vocal cords didn't show any irrigation from GED either.

It has gotten better with treatment...but every now and again...it comes back for a visit.

So, mine didn't affect my diet...but just wanted to let you know that I did have the issue...just not as severe as yours'.
Posted 4/21/2017 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I currently have the throat swallowing thing since december. For me it feels better if i eat. I also could not wear anything touching my neck. Mine is more of a pressure sensation. Slightly better as of late - i started abx treatment in march (mino) and recently added rifampin. I also stopped herbs and my detox tea bc I was wondering if it was an allergic reaction.
Posted 4/21/2017 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I've got some throat troubles too. My swallowing isn't quite right, sometimes a large pill or hunk of meat gets caught in my lower pharyngeal area and I have to hoyk it up and reswallow. Nothing too serious though. I can still swallow a fist full of pills most of the time........ except those lysine horse size tablets. Never had that problem b4.

I hope you're not aspirating snappygums.

What really bugs me however is that I get an intermittent burning sensation down around the larynx and just below. It's taken me months to even be able to describe this sensation, and I'm still not Chrystal clear on it.

The ent scope found some mild atrophy of my right vocal cord. So I'm thinking the bacteria affect the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus. I'm pretty sure it's nerve pain or paresthesia. My feeling of malaise worsens during these episodes also.

Interesting article I read about cfs hypothesizes that viral infection of the vagus, the largest nerve in the body, sends messages to the brain that trigger illness response. That's simplified, article here if you're interested. We already know tbi attacks nerves.
http://simmaronresearch.com/2013/12/one-theory-explain-vagus-nerve-infection-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
Posted 4/21/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone so much for all the info and answers. I have only come across this site and think it's going to be really helpful!

I'm due to have a videofluroscopy in a few weeks as the first ones was inconclusive and did show sole residue of barium left in Throat area after food was swallowsed. My LLMD does feel that it's all nerve related and that hopefully once infections are under control and inflammation reduces it will start to come right. I have been reading up on Lyme and how it affects nerves, it's all so complicated. I have some of the other GI issues mentioned and the Throat burning sensation quite regularly too. My LLMD has not seen anyone present like this so I was unsure if it was actually Lyme related. I have been having CBT and Hypnotherapy for 10 months tontry and desensitize the swallow but it has not helped but has helped me cope with the fact that I am on a liquid diet. I would love to have a timescale though and at least know when I will be back on solid foods diet! The answers above have been really helpful and positive, thanks!
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