Lump in throat and chest for 4 months-anxiety?

[Jewl18]

I am new to this-so I hope I am in the right place. I do have HA very bad and have been a worrier as long as I can remember. I have struggled with depression. 4 months ago I developed a lump in my throat which I believe is cricopharyngeal spasms. (I had this 5 years ago and it went away after 4 months after a barium swallow which showed minor reflux and small hiatal hernia) I spend every day on the internet looking up my symptoms. It matches perfectly with a spasm. The middle of December the lump feeling started to move to my chest and back to my throat periodically feeling like a spasm. It is now mainly in my chest behind my breast bone but occasionally still radiates to my throat. I have never had heartburn, gerd but went to an ENT and he told me to go on Zantac for a month. He did not scope me and sort of blew me off.

It didn't get any better so I am now going in for a scope EDG in 5 days on the 15th. My depression came back and am now on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I am currently taking a PPI for about 9 days with no relief. I spend every morning in panic mode crying and obsessing about the worst case possible outcome. I have read so many things on the Internet that scare me. I am praying this is just anxiety but of course my mind directs me to the worst. Any advice would be so appreciated. Thank you.

[AntsyVee]

It definitely sounds like GERD. Many of us develop it after intense bouts of anxiety. So I think the ENT was right. If I were you, I would follow up with your primary doctor. You will probably need to make some dietary and possibly sleeping changes in addition to taking the PPI.

[WiseMonkey]

Hi,

I have this too, but don't have gerd or hiatal hernia. My lump feeling shifts around too and I have a lot of burping and trapped air. Also an intermittent feeling of outside throat tightening. I don't respond to acid suppressants either and have low acid.

I've also had this before but not over such a long period of time. I'm pretty sure it's esophageal spasms as I've had them before, but could also be cricopharyngeal spasms or a combination.

I had a clear endoscope 2 years ago and am seeing the ENT specialist in March. I'm not expecting the specialist to find anything. I was initially worried but I can swallow OK so that's reassuring.

Try not to worry too much, I know it's difficult with HA and especially with depression. You have had this before and you can swallow so you are fine. An endoscopy is a very easy procedure, just opt for the sedation. Let us know how you get on

[Jewl18]

Thanks for replying. I will be sedated-they know I have anxiety. Do you believe it could be anxiety that is causing the lump feeling. I have never had any reflux issues ever. I already have given up spicy foods, coffee, eating bland foods and the lump is always there and in the process of eating carefully and so anxious from worry I have lost weight. Either way I guess I will find out.

[WiseMonkey]

Hi,
No I don't believe it just anxiety that's causing the problem but anxiety exacerbates it for sure as it causes muscle tension.

My daughter had the lump feeling last year and she does not have HA. However, she does have a high powered job and there was work stress at the time! She had the nasal scope and all was fine. It went away shortly after that

[Jewl18]

Had my EDG and they found no issues but took a biopsy to see if there is any microscopic inflammation. The Doctor talked to my husband afterwards and said everything looked good and the lump could be caused from anxiety.

I am relieved but 5 days after the procedure I still have the lump sensation. I was hoping after hearing all is well it would go away. It is crazy what the mind can do!!

[Andrewb10]

Hi, hope your feeling better, I get this and have it at the moment after a period of anxiety, I’ve had a few endoscopys and other tests , all clear. It will pass. I find warm drinks help, I eat industrial quantities of mints which probably make no difference but make me feel better mentally for some reason.

[ashyam83643]

Had my EDG and they found no issues but took a biopsy to see if there is any microscopic inflammation. The Doctor talked to my husband afterwards and said everything looked good and the lump could be caused from anxiety.

I am relieved but 5 days after the procedure I still have the lump sensation. I was hoping after hearing all is well it would go away. It is crazy what the mind can do!!

Hi Jewel,
I was having the same symptoms when i was in severe suffer of IBS. Now i do not have all the time.. may be in winter. I feel this is Mucus blocking in throat not a lump. Could be yeast kind or a mucus. When i feel that, i drink warm water for the whole and chew raw pepper each numbers for 3 times.
you just simply need to break the thick mucus, try out.

dont drink anything cold when you have this & avoid sweets.