constant feeling of lump in my throat, creeping me out

[GlobusGirl32]

Ive been in and out of the ER for the past 3 months for this god awful feeling of a constant lump in the throat sensation that never goes away, when my doctor told me it was anxiety i was baffled cuz most of the time it happens when im not even anxious. GERD was ruled out, i had an endoscopy and everything i just wondered if there were other people out there like me who live with the lump in the throat sensation on a daily basis. Literall feels like my throat is gonna close up sometimes. It creeps me out so bad im constantly in the mirror looking down my throat, even scared to eat certain foods for fear of a deathly allergic reaction. It sounds ridiculous i know :( :weep:

[jessicalittler79]

I can relate to u yes ! I go threw weeks of this it comes out of no were ..I also keep looking in mirror to see if my throat is swollen its awfull and I understand feel free to pm me if u need to talk

[annette1]

I have had some bouts of this, esp after my dad died, it is called Globus. I found talking therapy good, it
helped me to explore my feelings and talk about dad without getting so emotional. After 2 sessions the feeling disappeared.

---------- Post added at 05:27 ---------- Previous post was at 05:20 ----------

I have had some bouts of this its called Globus. I had some councelling with my gp, learnt to understand why it was happening & after a few sessions the 'lump' disappeared.(my dad had died & I was bottling up my feelings)

[sparkle_1979]

Yes I suffer with this

[Lilharry]

Yep, I've had this on and off all of this year. For me it feels kind of achey and like I'm about to cry all the time. When I focus on it, it makes me panic and I feel sick. I talked to my counsellor about it and she said that I need to stop focusing on it and concentrate on something positive. She did some CBT with me and now when I start to focus on it I'm supposed to say to myself "Stop! This isn't helpful and makes me feel worse when I think about it. It's nothing serious and will go away the less I think about it. I am doing all the right things to get healthy and I will start to feel better soon." I have found this really helps and I only get the sensation occasionally now. I would really recommend seeing a counsellor if you can.

[kimberlyrector]

Yes I have had this feeling for about a year now. It feels as if I have a hard time swallowing when I eat, like there is something hanging in my throat. However, I feel it also when I havent eaten anything which has resulted in me losing 35 unneeded and unwanted pounds in the last 16 months. I have been to the doctor repeatedly and have been told it was due to my anxiety. I am very thin now weighing 109 pounds and I NEED to gain weight! I am in the process of waiting on blood results just as a precaution. I had them done close to a year ago and they were fine though. My urine showed I wasnt taking in enough food and drink and this is because that feeling freaks me out so i avoid eating. My doc says they may even run a scope just to ease my worries, but that only makes it worse lol. And my xrays came back just fine. I would say that without a doubt it is just your anxiety as I have read many things on this very subject. My best advice is try not to worry when you feel it. It will only make it feel worse. Amd trust me, I understand thats easier said than done. I hope this eases your mind some. Take care.

[limonp83]

I've been feeling the same way and I am almost convinced that it is not anxiety because I was put on meds and did not feel anxious anymore but continued to feel the "lump in throat" sensation. This has been going on for about half a year. Then 2 months ago I felt an actual bulge under my chin. I was told that maybe it was just a swollen lymph node. Since then it has grown a little in size and I think that the feeling in my throat has something to do with this. I don't have any other symptoms. I read somewhere that anxiety can cause problems like swellin g lymph nodes or other glads. I don't know if it's true. What if I made my self sick by obessing over this lump in my throat? I had blood work done which came out ok. The doctor suggested a CT scan or sono. I am getting a CT scan very soon. How long have u been feeling this "lump in throat"?

[LJFaith77]

Yes I have this, I went through a lot of medical issues that weren't as bad as they turned out but I had very high anxiety through it all and have had many anxiety related issues for 7 months now. I had almost every test from head to toe and nothing comes back abnormal except anxiety and I believe it is over thinking I had something serious wrong. It started with fluid in my ears and a ringing in my left ear back in April which caused anxiety and loss of sleep. Since thinking I had serious illness that was proved otherwise through an MRI, I started getting a host of really weird things happen, including uncontrolled heart rate which caused more anxiety and then lump in throat feeling which makes me feel like I cannot breathe that started middle of August. I have to make myself believe it is in fact anxiety because every test I have after spending 6k, is normal. I have to believe and trust Jesus He will heal me, pray pray pray and trust!! God bless!

[emlica]

I've been having this recently - more of a 'tight' feeling than a lump, but definitely a feeling of something being there. Someone on the forum suggested it might be reflux, but I'm not sure - it doesn't seem like it to me. It came on for me just before I got a cold, and has lingered afterwards. Doctor said it might be caused by a sinus problem, meaning excess mucus irritating the throat. I did also have headaches and popping ears as well, so a sinus problem seemed likely. I've been doing nasal rinses and stuff for my sinuses, and they seem to be getting better, but my throat still tightens up. It's much worse when I'm sitting at my desk or on the bus, and genuinely not noticeable when I'm walking around, talking to someone, eating or drinking. So I'm thinking it might have been the sinus problems that started it and now it's just the anxiety about it that's making my throat muscles contract or something - and walking, talking, eating, drinking all make the muscles relax, so it feels better, whereas when I just sit still I tense up and the tightness starts to come back.

[debs71]

I get this every now and again, and it is awful every time...very scary.

I had it very badly late Saturday night, and it had slowly progressed and built up during the day - a feeling like my throat was closing, like my airway was going to block off and something was stuck. I really got into a panic in the early hours of Sunday morning, all alone in my room, everyone else asleep!

I decided to do a Youtube search about globus to see if there was any relief technique that might pop up to help calm it down, and I found an excellent video by none other than Charles Linden (he of the 'Linden Method')

I'm not a fan of his to be honest (I don't like the expense of his 'method'/profiteering off others anxiety and misery) but this video for a relief technique for globus was amazing.

He explained how globus is nothing more than a trick of anxiety - the muscles in our neck/throat tighten and tense due to anxiety, giving us that sensation that everything is closing off.

I was sceptical when I saw it as I couldn't believe some stretching/massage techniques could work, but to my amazement, they really did.

I am not sure if I am allowed to post a link or not (I hope so, apologies if not) but here it is:

http://youtu.be/Ys_fxSLIyzw

It may not offer long term relief, but I found it good for a quick, instant interim relief. x

[Tilly Flop]

That vid is really interesting, thanks. I went to the doc last week about my throat symptoms and she said pretty much the same thing, not necessarily about the relationship to anxiety, but she said my posture was out, and that the feeling was causing constriction of the muscles. She also mentioned the fact that when she put me into the right position my voice changed slightly, which is also something the video mentions. All makes sense.

[Mac1chick]

I have had this in the past and thought it was never gonna go away ! But it did eventually .
I have not had this symptom since :) Im sure it will be the same for you x

[HyPoCon]

I had it for months, and it seemed to cause my anxiety not be a symptom of it, but It dissipated for no reason( I was so relieved) it has come back once since and gone again, this is a really annoying thing to deal with, but it will go

[nikita]

Hi,
I read your post and had to reply because I know exactly what you are going through and I will always help somebody who is going through it.
I suffered exactly what you have for years. I had numerous tests done. I was diagnosed with globus hystericus but I didn't believe that's what it was.
That was 20 years ago and occasionally I still get it but now I know exactly what it is and because I no longer let it bother me, it goes quite quickly.
It is simply anxiety but I know how debilitating it can be. It ruined my life for years. It just started to go away by itself until one day I realised that I didn't have it anymore. But like I said, if im anxious now, it will come back for a short time.
You will be okay.

[Lambrini]

I had a globus feeling in my throat for 8 miserable months and am here to tell you this does go away. It started after a very stressful time in my life and as my friend who is a doctor told me at the time "the muscles in the throat get tense and inflamed and that's why that feeling is there. I did an endoscopy, ultrasound, went to endocrinologist and a bunch of other specialists to no avail. I went to a psychologist and realized I was the type of person who would "swallow" everything. I wanted to tell someone off who really hurt me but I didn't. Psychologist says that is why we develop glob us lump in throat cuz what's inside is stuck there. I don't know whose right or who's wrong with explanations all I know is after I went to psychologist cried my heart out, yelled out everything I wanted to tell this person, and finally gave a voice to what I was feeling inside this went away. I hope this helps. So my advice is do not be scared go get medical work up endoscopy, check your thyroid make sure everything is clear so u don't have to worry u have cancer and then develop more anxiety symptoms. Then, change your lifestyle, love yourself and your body, meditate, pray to your god and this will go away. I am living proof:) I went to dr Howard Chavis in manhattan who really helped me recognize why I developed this lump feeling in my throat. Find your own therapists and let it all out. Getting out all that negative energy and praying for peace is the only thing that worked for me and I hope this works for you💗

---------- Post added at 17:15 ---------- Previous post was at 16:01 ----------

I had a globus feeling in my throat for 8 miserable months and am here to tell you this does go away. It started after a very stressful time in my life and as my friend who is a doctor told me at the time "the muscles in the throat get tense and inflamed and that's why that feeling is there. I did an endoscopy, ultrasound, went to endocrinologist and a bunch of other specialists to no avail. I went to a psychologist and realized I was the type of person who would "swallow" everything. I wanted to tell someone off who really hurt me but I didn't. Psychologist says that is why we develop glob us lump in throat cuz what's inside is stuck there. I don't know whose right or who's wrong with explanations all I know is after I went to psychologist cried my heart out, yelled out everything I wanted to tell this person, and finally gave a voice to what I was feeling inside this went away. I hope this helps. So my advice is do not be scared go get medical work up endoscopy, check your thyroid make sure everything is clear so u don't have to worry u have cancer and then develop more anxiety symptoms. Then, change your lifestyle, love yourself and your body, meditate, pray to your god and this will go away. I am living proof:) I went to dr Howard Chavis in manhattan who really helped me recognize why I developed this lump feeling in my throat. Find your own therapists and let it all out. Getting out all that negative energy and praying for peace is the only thing that worked for me and I hope this works for you💗

[Bzeko87]

I wish my globus would go away it's keeping me up at night when I need to sleep ����

[dedejarvis]

[QUOTE=nikita;1247877]Hi,
I read your post and had to reply because I know exactly what you are going through and I will always help somebody who is going through it.
I suffered exactly what you have for years. I had numerous tests done. I was diagnosed with globus hystericus but I didn't believe that's what it was.
That was 20 years ago and occasionally I still get it but now I know exactly what it is and because I no longer let it bother me, it goes quite quickly.
It is simply anxiety but I know how debilitating it can be. It ruined my life for years. It just started to go away by itself until one day I realised that I didn't have it anymore. But like I said, if im anxious now, it will come back for a short time.

Hi Nikita, What did you find out about this feeling? I have had the same thing for 2 1/2 years now.... No other symptoms. I went to my ENT last weel on my request just for a recheck... He first said all looks the same and normal.. After always looking to see my throat in the mirror, my Epiglottis is now visible:weep: ... So, I told him I think its hitting my left tonsil that is and has been some what larger the right tonsil. He said that just may be what the feeling is but he gloved up and felt both tonsils and said the left tonsil felt full... Huh i said... what does that mean? he said he wouldn't know unless he removes my tonsils... OMG no way I told him.. Can't you do a Biopsy? he said it wouldn't show anything because of the tonsil canals .. so now i'm looking at having my tonsils removed at 54 years old and I am freaked out.... I want to know if it could be cancer and could cancer be present for 2 1/2 years???? I can not find any answers anywhere... I have no other symptoms... Non.....

[zjw]

I was a heavy smoker and a heavy drinker for probably about a year or more prior to quiting both of those I had this lump in my throat allt he time I'd then have panic attacks over it all the time. After I quit smoking and drinking I still had it for at least 6 months and still had panic attacks about it thinking it must be the big Cancer and this was it for me.

In my case it cleared up on its own. To this day I have no idea if it was simply anxiety or something more. I wish I had more to say about it but it was a terrifying feeling.

[spanishbasqueheart]

I've been having this recently - more of a 'tight' feeling than a lump, but definitely a feeling of something being there. Someone on the forum suggested it might be reflux, but I'm not sure - it doesn't seem like it to me. It came on for me just before I got a cold, and has lingered afterwards. Doctor said it might be caused by a sinus problem, meaning excess mucus irritating the throat. I did also have headaches and popping ears as well, so a sinus problem seemed likely. I've been doing nasal rinses and stuff for my sinuses, and they seem to be getting better, but my throat still tightens up. It's much worse when I'm sitting at my desk or on the bus, and genuinely not noticeable when I'm walking around, talking to someone, eating or drinking. So I'm thinking it might have been the sinus problems that started it and now it's just the anxiety about it that's making my throat muscles contract or something - and walking, talking, eating, drinking all make the muscles relax, so it feels better, whereas when I just sit still I tense up and the tightness starts to come back.

Feel I can relate to this as I've had the same feelings on and off for a couple of weeks now. Was put on Citalopram for Health Anxiety 2 weeks ago its working in bits but not when I get the food/lump in the throat sensation it gives me full on panic attacks. Had a flu type virus going round my area where I live recently which I've been unlucky to have caught, so possibly it could be post nasal drip but I also have allergies.

[Dundonian_dubliner]

I get this when I have severe Anxiety. It came back about a month ago in the run up to my holiday which is on Sunday. I feel like I'm gagging to the point of wretching and I'm so worried that I wont be able to eat and relax on my holiday. Only a few days till I go now I'm really scared

[dale12345]

I get this all the time so irritating!!!!! !:unsure:

[fahdiqbalmalik]

I have same kind of lump feeling for about 2 years now. Started in feb 2014 and now at this time it is 23.6.2016.

The thing is when I stop focusing on it, lump feeling goes away, it completely goes away. but as soon as I start to focus on it, it comes back and it stays constantly. The feeling stays either I eat or don't eat.

Only the best ways which I have found which works for me are

1. I pray and stay focused.
2. I don't panic. At first I panicked and trust me it gets really bad, if you start to panic. The heart beat rises and you can't even sleep.
3. Make peace with your body
4. Keep your self busy doing productive work like start working on Maths problems, English grammar, do your office work with great attention. Trust me, if you move your focus from lump feeling in throat to other productive work the feeling goes away immediately.

[dale12345]

I tried it, it actually worked.