Anxiety and my throat, am I nuts?

First time I've tried using a forum to talk about this problem. I have been experiencing a lump in throat and scratchy sensation for months now. Probably about 5 months now straight, with only few and far between days of relief. I've been using a process of elimination to figure out what is going on, because it's making me crazy I feel like. I'm guessing it's anxiety, as I do suffer from a lot of worry and panic in my life. Here are the steps I've been through medically, which have lead me to believe anxiety is the real culprit.

I first went to my PCP, and he sent me to an ENT. The ENT looked down my throat briefly and said there was nothing wrong, prescribed me Prilosec for "acid reflux" and sent me on my way. I tried this for a while, and still no relief. I took it upon myself to visit an Otolaryngologist, who scoped my voicebox, larynx, windpipe, and saw nothing but a very small amount of redness. I actually got to see the camera so I saw it for myself that nothing serious was wrong. Lastly, I went to a Gastroenterologist who sedated me and gave me an EGD, looking from my esophagus all that way down to my stomach. Other than a very small hernia, he said there was nothing and sent me on my way.

So what else could this be?? It's affected my life a great deal, and I really need help. Any suggestions would be amazing. The ways my anxiety shows itself is I worry about everything, and even have periodic panic attacks with hot flashes, increased heart rate, etc. Thanks in advance.

Hi & welcome to a fabulous & helpful forum!

I hope you're not disappointed when I say you aren't nuts

So many of us have different physical symptoms that set our anxiety/health anxiety into complete overdrive. We obsess over the symptom/s and have a hard time distracting from it. I understand completely & I know probably everyone in this forum has "been there, done that."

You have had very extensive testing by specialists and nothing abnormal was found which is great news! I know you're still upset about it though and I highly suggest you look at the resources on the top of the anxiety forum. There are articles & coping skills in dealing with health anxiety. I have it too so I understand completely!

Have you considered taking an allergy med (like Allegra/Claritan/Zyrtec) to see if that improves your lump/scratchy throat? I get post nasal drip from allergies & get the scratchy feeling. Allergies have been bad this year.

Also, I've had the lump sensation you describe. It didn't last months but several days/week for a month or so. Never did figure it out & I chalked it up to anxiety after telling a friend who has anxiety like us, & she's gotten it before too. I've heard this isn't an uncommon sensation to have with anxiety.

Keep posting here as much as you like. This forum is active & we all help each other. Welcome aboard!

Lisa

I'll definitely check out the resources you all suggested. It is incredibly frustrating because while I had hoped to get answers from visiting these specialists, I feel like I was left with only more questions. I never thought I could have a condition like health anxiety but the more I research, the more I realize that's what.I've got. Thinking back, in not sure where this started, but I do obsess about my health a great deal. Its not healthy, I know. I'm gonna try the suggestion about the Allegra,claritin, ,zyrtec. I've never really had allergies in my life, but my family definitely does. Perhaps this is something that's developing as I get older. I'll update,and ty so much for the support. I wasn't expecting so many great responses so fast. Looks like I've found a good group.

Hi S and welcome!

As you can see you are not alone! This is a fairly common issue that anxiety can bring on. It was in fact, my first anxiety symptom.

Here is the link to our Resources mentioned above:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Lots of great self-help in there to be found and utilized!

You can also do a search here and read other threads on this subject. In the upper toolbar, right, click on the 'Search' icon and input "lump in the throat" "globus" "trouble swallowing" along with key word "anxiety" and you will find many archive posts to read!

Keep posting here with us. We understand, care and support is key!

Scaredy Cat

C.,

When I first started on HW, years ago, I had limited computer skills...and even less experience with being a part of a forum!

Your learning curve is much sharper as a new member than mine was!! Mine was more of a series of 'learning blips' ;p You are doing great IMO!!

S.C.

pattygirl said...
Cricopharyngeal Spasm. Very common for one who deals with panic and anxiety.

never knew about this ....i have experienced this and its scary and never knew what it was and that i had anxiety/panic issues so many years unresolved and now i have an answer .

thanks so much !!!!

this also happens to me sometimes. i can hardly eat because of it. i have to drink instant breakfast for my meals or insure protien drinks. its all part of anexiety. you arnt alone

S.,

I posted a link to our Resources above for you.

If you look through, you will see a bunch of information and self-help techniques for lowering anxiety.

Lowering anxiety levels = less physical symptoms.

Check out the stress relieving exercise link in there...it is a great place to start. (progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, ect...)

Also, did you do a search?  We have a bunch of older threads on this topics which you can read through for more advice/info.

Glad to hear that you are getting into therapy!! Great move.:)


S.C.

They really are effective if practiced regularly. Let us know how you are doing soon.:)

(if I have some time later, I will try to pull up some of those archived threads on this subject for you.)

S.C.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=621146

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2527649

S.,

I don't know that there is a definitive answer to this question of why we feel certain symptoms...

In this link, there is the best explanation that I have seen...

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf

Reading through this may bring you some understanding and relief.

Hoping today is anxiety and symptom free!

S.C.

im having the same symptoms. feels like something is in my throat. my voice sounds scratchy and it hurts when I put my head down in my neck/throat. I keep having heartburn too. Its horrible.

How do the treatments differ from lpr and acid reflux?