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Sore Throat and Worrying about Breathing

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Posted 4/29/2013 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

This is my first post and I'm sure I am not the only one with this kind of problem, so sorry if this is just a repeat of other things. Mostly I'm just looking for some reassurance that it's okay to just write this off as anxiety.

Long story short, I've struggled with anxiety for about 18 months - at first I struggled with crowded places. I did some therapy and got to a place where it was only a minor discomfort that flared up once in a while. Fast forward to 3 months ago when I moved to a new country to learn a new language (I'd rather keep my location to myself, but it might be relevant that it is really really dry here).

Obviously there is a lot of stress in a transition like that and for 3 months I've been sick on and off. It started as a cold, turned into a really painful throat and stuffed sinuses. It stressed me out like crazy because I constantly worried that my throat was going to close up (although I always was able to take deep breathes - it just often felt like I couldn't, probably due to panic). I ended up seeing an ENT specialist who told me my throat was really torn up and gave me 7 days worth of antibiotics (Amoxicillin). That didn't work right away but about a week ago I was feeling pretty good and the doctor said my throat looked fine and that all I needed was to take some preventative nose drops.

However for the last few days it has been bad again. I feel (minor) pain in the front of my throat as well as under my jawbone and my throat feels puffed up around the larynx as well as near my uvula. A few days ago I burnt my tongue/throat on some really hot soup (or something like soup - I couldn't read the menu, haha) so that might be contributing. And if I talk for long periods of time the puffed up feeling seems to worsen. So basically I am posting because I would like to know if this sounds like anxiety (which I am sure is playing a role) or if I really am having some persisting problem with my throat despite the antibiotics and the ENT saying it had improved. I'm very worried that I'll just push through things (such as my language class tomorrow, where I'll have to talk for 2.5 hours in an uncomfortable language) and that the strain will close up my throat and suffocate me.

Thanks, and sorry for such a long post - I tried to cut it down a bit but it's still long. :)
Posted 4/29/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi OAN and welcome!

Moving to a new country, struggling to learn the language and the culture and all of the encompassing new things that you have experienced is bound to bring on anxiety. Even positive change can increase our symptoms.

Add to that a new envrionment, where it is common to get sick or suffer allergies, due to the unfamiliar nature of your surroundings...and you don't have to question the nature of your issues too much!

I think that you might want to get a re-check on your throat...after all, you did have some kind of virus/infection that was causing your pain and swelling. Just to be on the safe side, eliminate the possibility that it could be still be an issue.

If in fact it is all cleared up, ask the doctor about the possibility of allergies. Sometimes what starts out as an illness, turns out to be prolonged allergy issues.

A lot of times however, our symptoms are just due to anxiety. The dry air could be causing you discomfort...which then opens the door for anxiety. We anxious thinkers tend to go on red alert everytime we sense something 'off' or different in our bodies.

Try using some throat lozenges if you doctor approves...to keep your throat hydrated. Sip water often. Some have also found Slippery Elm Bark (again get docs approval) to help. It is a natural suppliment that can be made into a tea.


Keep using your therapy coping skills as well. If you need more ideas...we have some great ones such as breathing and progresssive muscle relaxation in our Resources on our main page.:)

I hope that you get the relief that you need soon. Post with us anytime for understanding and support!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/29/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
When my anxiety was bad years ago any kind of breathing problem use to keep me up all night, that
my fear of my throat swelling shut would not happen, I can still get a little uneasy with even a stoped
up nose but I am able to push it into my outer environment and go on. Be at Peace.

Larry ***
Posted 4/30/2013 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Oan, welcome. Dang it, throat problems and anxiety just dont make for good bed fellows. I have spent many nites awake thinking my throat would just close and I would die. When I have a panic attack I reach for help, with my throat closed and gasping for air and not being able to. Its horrible. Enough of me. Bless your heart, you have a full plate dear. They say moving is number 3 on the stress chart, following death of family and rejection by loved one. I think that you just have to go to your doctor again to be sure the infection is gone. It seems that a throat problem can hang on forever, for no good reason, so it may be anxiety. Either way its bothersom. Moving to a very dry place can make a huge problem. I know that for sure. My family moved from north east texas where theres huge pine trees and swampy caddo lake, to southern Arizona,bone dry. I remember my mother rubbing vaseline on us every nite and drenching us in lotion everyday, along with keeping chapstick in our pockit. We cried from split fingers. I say this just as an example of just what a huge problem it can be. Go to your doctor to be safe. keep is informed....hugs...Cathy
Posted 5/1/2013 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies everyone. I appreciate the support. :) Going to the doctor here is not especially easy (well more accurately, finding a translator isn't very easy and I can't understand well enough to discuss medical issues). For now I've borrowed some allergy pills from a friend which I'm going to use for a week or so, just to see if it helps. If it persists after that the plan is to push ahead with the doctor thing.

For now, however, I still feel pretty nasty. My breathing isn't actually shallow (I think) but it feels like it is. :(
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