Constricted Breathing - Cricopharyngeal Muscle Spasms? Please help-- desperate.

So I'll start off by saying that I have had almost every test imaginable and nobody has found anyyhing physically wrong. It came on quite suddenly a couple years ago-- I had just finished a nerve-wracking solo, and was in bed reading a few hours later, and I suddenly feel like I can't breathe. It lasted for about a year, and only went away after fairly high doses of Buspar, Lexapro, and L-Methylfolate. I was doing pretty well for the past year, and then I had to titrate off for a sleep study (I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypersomnia and am taking a prescribed stimulant). Even without my anxiety and depression meds, I was doing great... Until a very unpleasant run in with my psychiatrist (he dumped us as I am not a big fan of talk therapy-- never did anything for me). Almost immediately after, my constructed breathing returned. It feels as if there is a lump-- it is a bit hard to swallow saliva and breathing feels very constricted, despite tests showing I'm getting enough oxygen, ect. I read a post on here and that's how I found out about Cricopharyngeal Muscle Spasms-- and the symptoms highly resemble what I have. I can't endure another year of a constant feeling of strangulation. If anyone has suggestions either to help my anxiety or loosed the construction in my throat, please tell me. This feeling is unbearable.

-Cianon
(Also- if it is of importance, I am sixteen)

Post Edited (Cianonzo) : 1/23/2015 6:27:59 PM (GMT-7)

Hi C and welcome,

I am sorry to hear of your struggle with this symptom.:( It is a very uncomfortable feeling to be sure.

Have you ever practiced Progressive muscle relaxation? This could help as it reduces overall stress and tension in the body.

It can be found in the Resources Jolleg mentioned above..
but let me know of you are interested, and I'll post the link directly for you.:)

Scaredy Cat

Hi Cianonzo,

I was recently diagnosed with Cricopharyngeal Spasms by my ENT, after many tests ordered by a previous ENT, my G.I. and my PCP; and after a misdiagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux by the first ENT. He talked about surgery to cut the muscle, which is supposed to stop the spasms. It's something I'll think about if it gets bad enough or if I can't minimize the symptoms through other methods. My symptoms are: trouble taking a good, satisfying deep breath, difficulty swallowing, & afeeling of tightness, cramping and/or a lump in my throat.

What has helped me in the meantime is Mindfulness Meditation, which Hibee mentioned, because it's always at its worst when I'm stressed, anxious or tired. I bought a set of CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn and have enjoyed the Guided Body Scan meditation on the first CD so much that I haven't gone on to the next CDs yet. He has such a soothing voice. I took a few Restorative Yoga classes as well but prefer to just lie down on my bed and listen to Jon. Late afternoon is the best for me because by then I'm often a bit worn out or perhaps the day has brought on some stresses that I need help handling. If I don't deal with the stress or anxiety, I find the tightness in my throat brings on the breathing difficulties and dysphagia to the point where I can't eat.

Good luck.

Thanks for the lovely welcome, Scaredy Cat.

I have to admit I was a skeptic when it came to things like meditation. I had tried years ago but didn't "get it". My mind kept wandering and getting busy with other things so I could never meditate for longer than a minute. But this guided method really works for me because it keeps me focused and on track. Afterwards, I feel lighter and at ease. It's been so helpful and not just for managing my throat spasm symptoms.

Big hug to you, Sistermoondance. Your post describes how I was November to mid-January - really down and unmotivated. I lost my appetite and the swallowing difficulties increased in severity and frequency so that eating became a chore and a nightmare as I fretted about choking and sometimes did. I lost 25 pounds in less than 3 months which was too much. I choked on water to the point where my airway was totally blocked and people around me would give me the Heimlich Maneuver. It was all incredibly stressful and frightening, which unfortunately does make cricopharyngeal spasms worse - a vicious circle.

I had 9 different tests, all coming back normal or mostly normal. Ordinarily that should be a relief but when you know something is very wrong but the tests tell you the opposite, you're not getting answers, therefore more stress!

Thankfully I went to a second ENT and after listening to my symptoms, he confidently said he knew what it was: Cricopharyngeal Spasms. Everything I've read about it confirms it for me. A perfect fit compared to the wrong prior diagnosis of LPR, which had caused me stress I didn't need, along with messing up my digestion thanks to the acid-blocking pills I had to take but didn't need.

Just knowing what it really is, and that it's not something really horrible or fatal, has been much easier on my mind and wellbeing. Knowing too, that it gets worse when I'm stressed, anxious or tired, is also a good thing because I can control and ease that in most cases, and without medication (so far).

Guided Mindfulness Meditation has been great for me. I hope you find as much relief with it as I did. Also, thinking happy thoughts - thinking about people or events that have brought me joy and positive feelings - helps too. Keeping busy is also good - find a project or hobby that brings you happiness and get busy at it. I spent 3 months sitting around moping and worrying - it wasn't helpful.

Physically, for the spasms, I avoid extremes in temperature: nothing ice-cold or very hot. I manage ice-cream by keeping it in my mouth, savoring the flavor before swallowing. I love ice-cream! I avoid spicy foods, and carbonated beverages don't seem good for my throat either. Perhaps the bubbles cause some muscular reaction? And too much burping definitely is not good for it either.

I use a hot compress on my throat in the evenings when the spasms/tightening/cramping are at their worst. A soft scarf wrapped loosely around my neck feels good too as I don't like my neck feeling cold.

So that's been my journey. Hopefully you'll find something useful for your own case. Good luck.

Hi SMD and welcome!

While not having the extreme issue that you share in this thread...I did have the lump in the throat sensation as my very first anxiety symptom.

I went on to develop panic disorder...and felt the same way that you did. I was prescribed both medication and CBT.

I decided to try the therapy first, and see if it was sufficient for treating my attacks...and if it was, great! If not, I would try the Rx.

Well, though difficult to get through without the help of a med...the therapy did suffice for me. However, everyone is different...so this is just my experience...

...but did want to share since we had/have similar feelings.:)

We also have an amazing Resource section here on the main page (first post) filled with really effective self-help coping skills that you may find useful. The Stress Relieving Exercises/Progressive Muscle Relaxation found in one of the links may really help you to relax the throat area and get relief. Let me know if you are interested, and I will post the link directly for you.

Keep posting if you find it helpful....support is key!

Scaredy Cat