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Tightness in throat (cricopharyngeal spasm)

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Posted 5/23/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
i have full blown nausea all day every day and it would not be possible to even eat without _______. i used to drink alcohol to release the tension but im prone to stomach infections because my stomach is always churning aka producing too much acid and alcohol can increase anxiety and depression so i ditched it.

Edit: From our forum rules.

1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence (ie. illicit drugs, including medical marijuana).  Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 5/23/2013 10:42:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/23/2013 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
stefanina,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell. 

When i get anxious it often begins in my gut..its like I am being warned before I can even think about it. Once I view the situation then the panic and anxiety either subside or come out full blown...maybe your body is reacting to unseen danger subconciously?

Have you ever tried therapy of any kind to help you learn ways to deal with the anxiety. 

Do take a look at the many suggestions in our Resource Thread at the very top of this page. 

I know you will be hearing from others with support and ideas to help you.

It is good to see you reaching out here in the Anxiety Forum.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 5/23/2013 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
stkitt,
thank you for your reply. i have tried cognitive behavioral therapy as well as seeing a psychiatrist for my medication each month.

i havent found any conscious techniques i can use (breathing, mediating etc) to ease my symptoms, although i do notice when i alter my lifestyle, it does effect my spasms greatly.

from figuring out my body over time, ive realized it most definitely is subconscious anxiety, anticipation of the day, and dread. i noticed when i began waking from spasms in my sleep at the same time every day...it turned out it was the sunlight coming through my window that triggered me. i put up black blinds and the problem was solved. i assume i have a fear of the next day to come without even realizing it which is the hardest part (tapping into the subconscious).

i speak to my self, i evaluate what is going on, and what could be upsetting me. although i sit, pet my cat and "choke" thinking of how im healthy physically and everything is ok and nothing is wrong but still...it has to go through its motions, its an unstoppable force at this time in my life. maybe because ive decided to change careers. i currently work in a very tough industry for anxiety and cant take it anymore (cosmetology)

im up against a whole new challenge of what career is healthy for me
Posted 6/4/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Please help me i have also throat blockage i had my endoscopy and i have hetial hernia due to not closing properly and it cause of acid reflux i have anxiety stress in my work, if im eating is normal i dont have problem in swallowing no pain in my chest my problem is only my throat thightness, after 5mins eating my throat is block i am not comfortable. when i wake up in the morning i dry in my mouth but feel normal no thightness but when i eat is beginning again the sensation i have an appoint in ent i hope he will give best medicine.
Posted 6/5/2013 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi pangga and welcome.

I am sorry that you are experiencing this difficulty.

We deal with this mostly from and anxiety standpoint...and it sounds as if your problem is more physical in nature.

I believe that you would receive better help from the GERD forum.

You will find it here on our main page if you hit the Forums and Chat icon at the top of the page.

We wish you the best.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/6/2013 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have very similar symptoms. Mine started all of a sudden - I choked on a bit of water, and when I caughted it off I tried to burp and realized I couldn't. Felt like my throat closed up, but it went after after about 20 seconds. However, since then I have these feelings in my throat - lump, feel like gas bubbles trapped and I keep swallowing a bit of air to try to clear it. Sometimes I feel it's lump with mucus. A good burp helps for a few minutes. Recently I also started to experience tight chest, and I noticed that I occassionally try to take deep breath through my mouth, as if not enough air is coming in. Usually this deep breath turns into a yawn.

I went to ENT and he expected my throat with scope, nothing found. Had esophagram (X-Ray), nothing found. Had upper endoscopy, found gastritis and hiatal hernia. They said that acid reflux could cause some irritation of the throat, but I never had any heartburn or stomach issues. Also, this started all of a sudden.

I agree that some of the symptoms could be anxiety, although I am not particular anxious and do not have any stress. When I am busy doing something the symptoms subside. I am taking Dexilant for stomach acid, although I doubt it will help with my throat issues. I hate pills and really do not want to go on any anxiety medication.

I read a few of these posts. I hope someone posts that had this issue and no longer has it, and they would tell us what they did.
Posted 6/14/2013 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have had the sensation that a piece of popcorn is stuck in the left side of my throat for the last 3 weeks. The sensation suddenly turned into a "choking" feeling today..My doctor checked me out and didn't think it was a viral or bacterial problem...im hoping this is just due to recently stressful situation.
Posted 6/21/2013 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Can anybody tell me what these spasms feel like? My husband seems to be suffering from this, and he gets these terrible chest pains which the doctors have sorted out not to be his heart. Happens when he is sleeping, or at rest, simply sitting in his chair. He has this terrible feeling of not being able to swallow, as if food is stuck in his throat. Can this chestpain be re lated to the spasms?
Posted 6/21/2013 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

It sounds as if your husband might be having GERD issues. Please encourage him to make an appointment with his doctor to get this checked out...or at the very least to try an OTC acid reducing medication such as Pepcid or Zantac.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/21/2013 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Stefanina, did you ever have an ENT test you for the cricopharyngeal spasm?
Posted 7/21/2013 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Wondering if any of the members with problems swallowing have had a HIDA scan or had their thyroid levels check.

Anxiety can cause this same problem as well as GERD.  Anyone who cannot swallow or feels like they have a lump in their throat surely has some anxiety.

I experienced the swallowing problem for about 6 months and would choke when eating out at a restaurant.  I eventually just pushed the food around on my plate.  I was dx with GERD years ago and do take medication.

The swallowing problem disappeared on it's own.  The body is the servant of the mind.

Good luck,

Kitt 

Posted 8/29/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to give an update to my post from June 2013. It's been 3 month since my symptoms started. Since that time I have been on PPI (Dexilant) for 30 days without much help. I then went on vacation, and have been off any diets and pills, and eating everything in sight. The symptoms would come and go, without any particular pattern.

In July I have seen the LPR expert in NYC. She confirmed that I have LPR (of course), and put me on some mild PPI (Pantoprazole, Zantax), as well as strict 2 weeks diet without any acidic ingridients. I have been on the pills and diet for almost 3 weeks at this point. My main symptoms got a bit better (lump in through, mucus, difficulting to draw breath). However, I also started to experience some other symptoms such as dry cough and chest tightness, especially after eating. I attribute this to the drugs, but doctor has said they should not cause this. Overall, the treatment so far has not been successful. I will be getting in touch with doctor on the phone to determine my next step.

One item doctor mentioned that intrigued me. She asked me if I had a cold or have been sick recently. I went through some virus back in January, and was coughing my lungs out for 3-4 weeks. She mentioned that this may have done something with my vagus never and the nervous system in general, which may have led to LPR symptoms to become more prominent.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/acid-reflux-gerd/831505-lpr-sufferers-read.html
Posted 8/29/2013 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi D,

Thanks for the update. It sounds like ups and downs...are you planning to just stay the course for now?

I hope that things improve more and more for you, and that any anxiety is staying low so that you can keep recovering.:)

Take care,

S.C.
Posted 9/12/2013 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
An update to my post from August, 2013. I spoke to the doctor and she advised me to continue taking my prescriptions (Pantoprazole 40mg, Zantax 150mg). She said that it takes on average 2-3 month to start feeling better, and I have been reading on other posts that it takes up to 12 weeks to get any results.

The doctor also told me that I can stop the detox diet and slowly introduce different ingredients to my diet. I still must avoid the citrus and chocolate. I keep log of what I eat in hopes that I can catch anything that aggravates my symptoms.

Last 3 days have been really horrible with mucus. I started feeling the lump on Tuesday again and lots of mucus. Today is Thursday and it is a little better, but I haven't had an episode like this in few weeks.

I will be back once I finish my next prescription refill and speak with my doctor.
Posted 9/12/2013 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Good idea in regards to keeping a log!

I am hoping that once the healing period is over, that you are finding relief both in your physical issue...and in your anxiety!

Healing thoughts...

S.C.
Posted 12/25/2013 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm 18 and I have had this problem sice I was 12. I really hate it. Its constant and the more I think about it, the more I feel it.but there have been many times were I'm completely happy and stress free and its still there.also,when it first started it came out of nowhere.I wasn't stressed or upset.I was quite happy actually.I went to a couple doctors and none of them really gave me an answer of what it might be. The only way I came to the conclusion that I'm having this throat spasm is from reading forums and researching.its nice to know there are other people who have the same thing though.is it ok that I've had it for so many years though.what if it never loosens up.like its a permanently pulled muscle.the longest I've heard of someone having this is a year.I'm worried a lot.I don't remember what it felt like before.someone please talk to me about this and tell me,can it hurt meor stop me from breathing,and I'm sorry for the really long post
Posted 12/26/2013 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi serenarain and welcome,

I have not heard of this hurting anyone, or causing anything more than annoyance and/or anxiety...

...however, one thing that I would look into if you haven't already is the possibility of GERD...which can also be a contributing factor to this issue.

While it is possible to have anxiety symptoms without consciously feeling anxious...since you do not seem to have any other issues or symptoms of anxiety, then perhaps it would be good to look into other causes of your globus.

Just a thought. I hope that you get some good info from reading through the posts...do a search right here at HW, and you will find many other threads on the subject!

Best wishes and post anytime,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/31/2014 3:49 PM (GMT 0)

KitKat880 said...
For the past 9 months I have been suffering with a tight throat, or the feeling of a lump in my throat. At first the thought was that it was related to GERD, but I've gotten that under control and the tight throat persists. My gastroenterologist told me that my upper esophageal sphincter won't relax; he thinks it is anxiety related and I would need to follow up with my GP.


I went to see my GP last week, and she prescribed Klonopin .5 mg twice a day. However, it does not seem to be helping. Is .5 mg considered a very low dose? I'm to follow up with the GP next week, so do I need to ask for something a bit stronger? I know this drug can be very addicting. I don't want to be dependent on it, but I want this awful feeling to go away!



Anyone else suffered from a tight throat caused by anxiety and found a solution?



Thanks!


Dear Kitkat,

I'm very curious your current status. These all spasms did disapear finally?

I have been suffering these spasms for 4 mounts..but I have to say that I'm very sorry and hopeless now that this terrible feeling is not going anywhere..:(( At first I thought that it was coming from LPR reflux which I was diagnosed from 4 years ago in a big Reflux Centre in the city that I live. I also had taken Nexium for a month and this stuck in the right side of my throat disappeared easily! After that I did not face with this problem again until my pregnancy.


Although during my pregnancy everyone was saying that globus with mucus, pain in my throat and chest and breathing, clicking sound in my throat and difficulty swallowing and finally this awful tightness will certainly disappear after my pregnancy, these all symptoms are not getting better!!

Nowadays I've heard from some experts like neurologist that homeopathic therapy is working in our situation. I'm investigating this issue now! Did you ever try the remedies of homeopathic therapy ? I don't know how it's working but I want to get rid of this annoyance soon..This constant experience is very scary and exhausting! I'm so tired of waiting for coming back my old beautiful days again and taking medicines like Diazepam and Nexium which are not working no longer in the daylight!


confused confused confused confused confused confused confused mad

Post Edited (brouha) : 2/12/2014 10:09:46 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/31/2014 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
I read thru all the posts above one sympton that I cud relate to is choking sensation while trying to swallow saliva . I am sure it is panic related because it happens when my mind is overactivated by a lot of stimulators. I read somewhere that swallowing is a subconscious process and due to a fatigued mind we try to force the issue and hence the sensations.
Posted 1/31/2014 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
brouha,

Good Morning.  KittKat is a member of the GERD Forum; if you repost this as a thread all of it's own mentioning KittKatt in your title you will probably find her.

Link to GERD Forum:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45

The experts on this topic usually reside in the GERD forum. The members in that forum are very wise and caring and give 100% support.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 2/13/2014 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I am having the problem now. I wasn't anxious or panicky but I think I may have put too much olive oil on my food and the spasms started. If I breathe through my mouth, I can breathe better, otherwise I feel like I'm suffocating. But the funny part is, I'm not panicking or anxious. I'm just used to it by now I guess. I'm on Nexium 2x a day which is allowing me to eat (GERD) and not have extreme burning up to my mouth and Dymista which helps me sleep (otherwise the congestion meeting the GERD was what my ENT thought was contributing to the spasms). I was doing well with less spasms until today. I use a book that I just started for CBT for the panic and anxiety. I was on supplements for many years but just stopped them a few weeks ago. The panic is daily and the anxiety and throughout the day except for yesterday when it was very low/non existent. I was so happy! Anyway, has anyone looked into histamine intolerance? I'm currently off the GERD diet (which wasn't helping anyway) and on a histamine intolerance diet. I think I might have a bit less congestion on the fourth day of it. It's a tough one to stick to but a lot our the symptoms of panic, anxiety and GERD match those of histamine intolerance. Something to look up anyway.
Posted 2/14/2014 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MC and welcome to the A/P.:)

It looks like you are really casting a wide net and looking to find the reasons for the symptoms that are bothering you...great job!!

I am glad that you are starting CBT, as this will certainly help you to learn anxiety management...and will help relieve the issues from that angle.

I am assuming the histamine tolerance diet is allergy related? I hope that this helps you to find your trigger foods, and to make the beneficial changes necessary.

Keep posting with us as to your progress (start a new thread to avoid getting lost in this older one!) and we will be here to support you.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 2/14/2014 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
I just had this tightness like a large hurting lump in my throat come on me all the sudden while I was driving my car and I thought I was having a heart attack or something. My chest was not hurting, but I just didn't know what was wrong with me at the time. I slowly slowed the car down because I suddenly became very week. My passenger said, "are you OK?" I said, "no, l have a terrible pain and big lump in my throat." I could hardly speak. I rolled my window down a bit to get some air and my other passenger said, "are you thirsty?" I didn't think I was thirsty, but we had just finished grocery shopping and I was wearing my heavy coat the whole time and I had worked up a light sweat without realizing it. I was getting dehydrated and tired. My passenger handed me some fruit punch Gatorade and I drank some of it and in a matter of a minute I was surprisingly better. I was shocked that such a little thing like getting thirsty would give me such an odd terrible ball of pain in my throat and make me so week. Now I know to remember to keep hydrated even when doing as it may seem a little thing like grocery shopping. If you haven't yet, try drinking some fruit punch Gatorade. It really did work for me. Thank God.
Posted 2/14/2014 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I really don't think I'm allergic to foods as I've never experienced itching or hives after eating food. I am lactose intolerant and don't digest corn or gluten very well (bloating), but as for an allergy, I'm not convinced. I'm just looking to reduce the congestion that I have that began after a cold in October and hasn't gone away. It could be from the reflux though, to coat my swollen throat. I really don't even know at this point but it contributes to throat spasms and choking sensations. I'm hoping by reducing my histamine levels via food, perhaps the congestion will clear? I also live with a lot of plants so it could be that as well. Stress brings on congestion as well for me. The spasms do not hurt, just make it hard to breathe.
I was drinking Gatorade all summer but I might be dehydrated. I will be sure to drink a lot. Thank you! :)
Posted 2/14/2014 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning All,

I believe anxiety in and of itself does not cause acid reflux.  From what I know, It can cause the excess acid in the stomach, but to have it move up into the esophagus is related more to the LES (sphincter/valve) not functioning properly which results in the Gerd/acid reflux problem or  burning sensation many people deal with.

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, can cause numerous symptoms that may lead to significant anxiety, especially if you are prone to health anxiety or panic attacks.

Many people live with mild GERD, and one of the factors that causes an increase in GERD symptoms is anxiety. GERD is generally a non-dangerous disease, although the symptoms of GERD may be triggers for panic attacks.

I was dx with GERD years ago however I had anxiety already so the 2 can easily go hand in hand.

Whatever you do to help you deal with anxiety keep on working with it.

Also do check out the GERD forum as Denise, Bill and the many members of that forum are pretty much experts at dealing with GERD, Anxiety and everything in between.

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