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Posted 8/1/2014 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I have had a sensation of a lump in my throat for over a year now...as long as I have had symptoms of lyme disease. But, it seems to come and go...when it's at it's worse, I get food stuck. It is often worse when the rest of my symptoms flare.

Several months ago, I had a barium swallow xray done...nothing showed up...everything fine.

Today, I saw an ENT Dr. and he put a tube with a camera up my nose to look down my throat. I then swallowed water, applesauce, and a cookie. He showed me the video after, and explained everything. Nothing showed up. Everything went down properly, and there was no irritation on my vocal chords...everything looked good. No food stuck.

I have a lot of nervous system symptoms with lyme, and am wondering if it is somehow afffecting my throat.
Should I just "let it go" now...and see what happens with treatment for lyme...see if it goes away?

I have had my TSH, free T3 and T4 tested a few times...and they are in range. My TSH is at the low end of the range...which, if anything would indicate hyperthyroid. I mentioned this to the ENT Dr. and he said if I had Graves disease...it would be more obvious. I told him I had lost weight once, but now I'm maintaining. I also asked him about getting thyroid antibodies tested...he replied that the antibodies tests are done to find out why the blood work isn't normal, but since my numbers are within the ranges, then no reason to check the antibodies.
But, in another post someone mentioned that the antibodies should be tested, regardless of the TSH, T3,T4.
Posted 8/1/2014 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone mentioned the globus sensation to you (see /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globus_pharyngis? A lot of people with GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease) have it, as do those with anxiety. I certainly get it a lot.

The good news is that globus is benign. The bad news is that I don't know of any way to get it to go away. It's pretty terrifying when you feel like you can't get enough air or are choking. Mine has gotten much better since I started taking an anti-depressant at the beginning of this year.
Posted 8/1/2014 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I have thought about whether it's from stress...but the times I get it don't always coincide with when I'm feeling stress/anxiety.
But, maybe the stress is always there, in the subconscious....
Posted 8/1/2014 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
I think trouble swallowing is from the cranial nerve irritated, not from the throat itself. I have the same symptom and its bizzare. Had throat scoped 3 times all normal. cancelled my barium swallow.
Posted 8/1/2014 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Louise - I do think it could be because of lyme. The throat issues came on around the same time as the lyme symptoms.
I think I'm just going to leave it alone now...I'm sick and tired of going to so many doctors.
If after several months of treatment - I still have a problem, then I'll look into it again.
I don't think it's cancer because it really hasn't gotten worse in the past year.
It's just hard to figure out what stuff we should be checking out, and which stuff we can attribute to lyme disease.

No wonder we're so stressed out with this flippin' disease. Everyday I wonder if I'm going to be okay in the end.
Posted 8/1/2014 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I googled cranial nerves - and it definitely could be my throat problem. I've had tingling of my left cheek as well, and sore teeth on the left side of my mouth and left jaw pain...all related to cranial nerves.

So, I'm going to try to put the throat issue to rest...and blame it on the lyme. It's not one of my worst symptoms. Gotta order them and focus on the bad ones.
Posted 8/1/2014 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
I just think with treatment, eventually it will go away.
Posted 8/1/2014 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I recently had a bad experience with an ENT that had decided I had pharyngeal pockets because my TSH was within range (so obviously nothing else could be wrong) - he scoped me and tried to get me into surgery right away. I refused.

Come to find out, it was the back side of my thyroid that was swollen, causing me to have a lot of issues swallowing pills and occasionally food. Now that I'm on natural thyroid and on the right dose - I can swallow pills again, and have not had any issues with swallowing food since I started the Armour natural thyroid.

I wouldn't suggest that you ignore this - it can get worse if it's your thyroid, especially if it's Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which can be a part of Lyme disease for some. It can also divert the "attention" of your body away from healing from these infections. The less the body has to deal with, the more it will be able to attend to battling these infections.

I would encourage you to do some reading on this site: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ as it was incredibly helpful for me as I learned about the thyroid, TSH when it's within the 'normal' ranges (another useless test) and other thyroid testing. I also was able to find a good doctor through this site that has helped me to get treatment started for Addison's, and intestinal food allergies as well as treating my hypothyroid condition that everyone else wanted to either ignore or do surgery on.
Posted 8/1/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Trav - when the ENT scoped you, did he do a swallow test, as well?
If my throat was actually swollen, wouldn't it show up with the swallow test?
Were your T3 and T4 numbers good, or did he just test your TSH?
I don't think I'd be hypothyroid, though, because I don't have hypo symptoms. (Never gained weight, not extremely tired,) But, I guess I could be hyper.
Are you treating your Addison's naturally?

I will ask the LLND that I see in a few weeks about my thyroid/adrenals and see what he says...he should have knowledge about it.

Mike - I did look up vagus nerve - and it's one of the 12 cranial nerves that can be affected by Lyme. This probably explains the tingling/numbness of my face that I used to have, and my sore teeth, and perhaps my throat.
I found this on the internet:
"The most frequent and dramatic neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease involve the peripheral nervous system. Two clinical syndromes predominate. Cranial neuropathies, particularly Bell palsy (which may be bilateral), are common, occurring in 5% to 10% of untreated infected patients.[8] Other cranial nerves can be involved as well; depending on the nerve involved, this may cause diplopia, facial pain or numbness, vertigo, or hearing changes. In a pattern typical of other basilar meningitides (the process probably responsible for many Lyme-associated cranial neuropathies), the lowest cranial nerves (IX through XII) are much less commonly involved. "
It went on to discuss radiculopathy that mimics a mechanical problem such as a pinched nerve. That is what I have - a supposed "pinched nerve" that has never healed. It has always been my worst symptom.
Crazy disease!
Posted 8/1/2014 11:09 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Trav - when the ENT scoped you, did he do a swallow test, as well?
If my throat was actually swollen, wouldn't it show up with the swallow test?
Were your T3 and T4 numbers good, or did he just test your TSH?
I don't think I'd be hypothyroid, though, because I don't have hypo symptoms. (Never gained weight, not extremely tired,) But, I guess I could be hyper.
Are you treating your Addison's naturally?

I will ask the LLND that I see in a few weeks about my thyroid/adrenals and see what he says...he should have knowledge about it.

He didn't even bother to do blood tests or anything else first, he went off of one blood test that had been done 2 weeks previous, which was fine, as that doc at least ordered TSH and T3 - but nothing else. I was in 'normal' ranges for both.

The new doc that I see now did extensive lab work though -but goofy me - I have yet to get any copies!!! AAAAACK!!! I have another appt coming up in a little over a week and my main thing is to get those copies! I want to know what's going on.

So I don't know if the swallow tests would show a swollen thyroid or not. Mine was swollen on the back side only - according to my new doc that's rare - and a ultrasound scan didn't pick it up.

Yes, I'm treating the Addison's naturally with Natural Process brand "Adrenal". My new doc only uses natural meds for treating these things except for extreme cases she said. Just glad I'm no longer in that category!!!
Posted 2/24/2017 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Since Dec I have had the feeling of something swollen/stuck in my throat. No issues with eating - if anything eating or chewing gum helps it. Went to ENT and he looked with camera. Said it was a little red but that's it.

They keep telling me reflux can cause this. I tried zantac for 7 days but didn't notice anything. ENT wants me to try prilosec. I have no heartburn symptoms but I understand it could be silent reflux.

My thyroid is in low range. Usually around 3 for FT3 and around 1 for FT4. However tsh is around 3.

Not sure which route to go here. I did try naturethroid last year and did notice I felt warmer. Then I started to get rapid heart rate and shooting pains in neck so my doc thought I may be going hyper and took me off. My ft3 nor ft4 never changed while on thyroid meds and I did increase to 1 1/2 grains. I think my tsh fell to .6.

So Girlie, just wondering if this went away for you and if you ever figured out the cause.
Posted 2/24/2017 8:48 PM (GMT 0)

k07 said...
Since Dec I have had the feeling of something swollen/stuck in my throat. No issues with eating - if anything eating or chewing gum helps it. Went to ENT and he looked with camera. Said it was a little red but that's it.

They keep telling me reflux can cause this. I tried zantac for 7 days but didn't notice anything. ENT wants me to try prilosec. I have no heartburn symptoms but I understand it could be silent reflux.

My thyroid is in low range. Usually around 3 for FT3 and around 1 for FT4. However tsh is around 3.

Not sure which route to go here. I did try naturethroid last year and did notice I felt warmer. Then I started to get rapid heart rate and shooting pains in neck so my doc thought I may be going hyper and took me off. My ft3 nor ft4 never changed while on thyroid meds and I did increase to 1 1/2 grains. I think my tsh fell to .6.

So Girlie, just wondering if this went away for you and if you ever figured out the cause.

TSH around 3 is hypothyroid range. You really want to be in mid-1's. And T3 will reduce your TSH.
Posted 2/24/2017 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the sensation of a lump did go away...

I do have some issues with phlegm - usually when I'm on minocycline...

My FT3 and FT4 are in the upper end of ranges (tested 3 or 4 times in past 3 1/2 years) and my TSH is always less than 1.

When I had it - in the beginning it was really bad...I would have trouble getting food down sometimes...and I was also choking on my spit now and then...which sounds like nerve issues...I think?

I do worry about the silent reflux because I heard from a friend that if it damages nerves...then you don't feel the symptoms...
But, when it was at it's worst..the ENT Dr. didn't see anything...but does that go far enough down? He went as far as the vocal cords. (through my nose - very uncomfortable)


I'm assuming it was infection related because it went away with treatment...

My lyme symptoms started April, 2013...and the lump in throat I think a month later.
I think it resolved around the end of 2015 after many months of lyme treatment and a few months bart treatment.

It has come back now and then for a couple of days...
Posted 2/24/2017 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Wow - was I surprised to see this thread resurrected...I had completely forgotten that I even posted that....
Posted 2/24/2017 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
You don't think it's strange that ft3 nor ft4 never budged with naturethroid? Took it from Jan 2016-june 2016.

I really felt best on 1 grain but doc kept bumping me up bc of no change in ft3 / ft4.
Posted 2/24/2017 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yes that is strange...when did you test in that period?
Posted 2/24/2017 8:59 PM (GMT 0)

Krimpet 🍔 said...


TSH around 3 is hypothyroid range. You really want to be in mid-1's. And T3 will reduce your TSH.

Is that if you're treating only?

Because mine never gets over 1. and the range on the test results show less than one is still in range.

I was around .4 or .5 and once .8
Posted 2/24/2017 9:08 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...

Krimpet 🍔 said...


TSH around 3 is hypothyroid range. You really want to be in mid-1's. And T3 will reduce your TSH.

Is that if you're treating only?

Because mine never gets over 1. and the range on the test results show less than one is still in range.

I was around .4 or .5 and once .8

TSH is governed by the pituitary gland. And guess what? These infections have an impact on the pituitary gland. Once the infections are cleared, the pituitary typically starts doing its job optimally again, unless there is something truly physically wrong with this gland. Even those on T3 may find that the TSH improves. But again just like everything else, there can be wide variables in the TSH number.
Posted 2/24/2017 9:14 PM (GMT 0)

Krimpet 🍔 said...

Girlie said...

Krimpet 🍔 said...


TSH around 3 is hypothyroid range. You really want to be in mid-1's. And T3 will reduce your TSH.

Is that if you're treating only?

Because mine never gets over 1. and the range on the test results show less than one is still in range.

I was around .4 or .5 and once .8

TSH is governed by the pituitary gland. And guess what? These infections have an impact on the pituitary gland. Once the infections are cleared, the pituitary typically starts doing its job optimally again, unless there is something truly physically wrong with this gland. Even those on T3 may find that the TSH improves. But again just like everything else, there can be wide variables in the TSH number.

So, are you saying that mine isn't optimal...that my pituitary gland may be affected?
I was told that mine was ideal before when I posted....so that's maybe not the case?

I am thinking of getting it tested again...if my Dr. will give me a req...
Posted 2/24/2017 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I've got intermittent vagus nerve palsy, mines in the laryngeal branch of the vagus. My voice can go back and forth from normal to hoarse during a conversation.

Look up the vagus and you'll see that's one complex, amazing nerve system: it affects the voice, heart, viscera, esophagus, and more. As a speech therapist, I treat swallowing disorders regularly. Rather than me explaining it, this link gives a good overview of the phases of the swallow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallowing
Then if you're inclined, It might help to watch a videoflourosopic oral pharyngeal swallowing study on you tube so you can see the mechanics of the swallow process. That might help you understand a bit more about what's going on in your throat.
One thing you can try when you feel something is caught, is to tuck your chin to your chest and swallow a few times while chin is down. If that clears it, the problem lies above the upper esophageal sphincter.
If you're having an extended episode of this, softer food consistency makes for a more comfortable swallow.
Posted 2/24/2017 9:31 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Yes that is strange...when did you test in that period?


I tested prior to naturethroid, about 6 wks after 3/4 grain, 6-8 wks after 1 grain and then about 8 wks after 1 1/2 grains. Also, prior to naturethroid I had no antibodies (TPO, etc). When tested on 1 1/2 grains I actually was showing a number (still negative, but why was it increasing?)

Yes, that camera was uncomfortable! My nose was sore and running like crazy after it.

I think I may try the prilosec for a few weeks. I am so tired of mystery illnesses. No energy to keep seeing specialists. Lately my eyes are burning too(not red)!
Posted 2/24/2017 9:37 PM (GMT 0)

Black Jack Davey said...
I've got intermittent vagus nerve palsy, mines in the laryngeal branch of the vagus. My voice can go back and forth from normal to hoarse during a conversation.

Look up the vagus and you'll see that's one complex, amazing nerve system: it affects the voice, heart, viscera, esophagus, and more. As a speech therapist, I treat swallowing disorders regularly. Rather than me explaining it, this link gives a good overview of the phases of the swallow.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallowing
Then if you're inclined, It might help to watch a videoflourosopic oral pharyngeal swallowing study on you tube so you can see the mechanics of the swallow process. That might help you understand a bit more about what's going on in your throat.
One thing you can try when you feel something is caught, is to tuck your chin to your chest and swallow a few times while chin is down. If that clears it, the problem lies above the upper esophageal sphincter.
If you're having an extended episode of this, softer food consistency makes for a more comfortable swallow.

I have thought of the vagus nerve - i do have heart crap, tinnitus, jaw issues (clenching - tmj?) and now this throat stuff. I'm getting on abx soon so maybe it will calm some of the inflammation.
Posted 2/24/2017 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Wow - was I surprised to see this thread resurrected...I had completely forgotten that I even posted that....

I hope you don't mind. I did the search first and there you were!
Posted 2/24/2017 9:41 PM (GMT 0)

k07 said...

Girlie said...
Yes that is strange...when did you test in that period?


I tested prior to naturethroid, about 6 wks after 3/4 grain, 6-8 wks after 1 grain and then about 8 wks after 1 1/2 grains. Also, prior to naturethroid I had no antibodies (TPO, etc). When tested on 1 1/2 grains I actually was showing a number (still negative, but why was it increasing?)

Yes, that camera was uncomfortable! My nose was sore and running like crazy after it.

I think I may try the prilosec for a few weeks. I am so tired of mystery illnesses. No energy to keep seeing specialists. Lately my eyes are burning too(not red)!

If I'm remembering correctly, you are seeing an experienced LLMD. (I won't mention initials even)
Is he not able to help at all with the thyroid and lump in throat sensation?
Posted 2/24/2017 9:42 PM (GMT 0)

k07 said...

Girlie said...
Wow - was I surprised to see this thread resurrected...I had completely forgotten that I even posted that....

I hope you don't mind. I did the search first and there you were!

No, not at all.

It reminded me of some things....lol.
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