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View Full Version : New to forum. Worried about ongoing throat problem



Eddie 656
25-11-08, 06:40
Hi all,
This is my first post on here. Only found it when "Googling" my symptoms which caused me great concern, although I feel a little more optomistic after finding this site.
I have been suffering with a sore throat now for a couple of months. It started with what I can only describe as bad acidity, which I thought at the time was causing a slight burning sensation in my throat. There also seems to be some sort of restriction in my throat and a numb sort of pain as if I have my shirt too tight. (sorry this seems the only way I can explain the symptoms) And recently Im tired in the evening after work and then wake up in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep.I have been taking paracetomol, cough mixture etc but nothing seems to make it better or go away. I googled my symptoms which put the fear of god into me. I am and always have had a fear of doctors and dentists so I have avoided that route. I even made an appointment with the doctor last week only to cancel at the last minute. One reason was the time between making the appointment and actually attending the symptoms eased. The other reason was I was terrified of any bad news and forthcoming treatment. I know I am a grown man but have always had a fear of doctors and hospitals etc. The top and bottom of all this is after googling my symptoms I fear I have throat cancer and Im so scared of having to go through the procedures and possible treatment. And then after looking on this site I find it could be down to stress. I have had some financial problems recently, and a risk of losing my job aswell, but usually Im not one to worry about things like that.Its also in the back of my mind that if I do end up in hospital I have no means of paying my mortgage or bills as I dont get sick pay from work and I dont have any insurance for that. It all seems to be getting on top of me and I dont know what to do. Im getting really frustrated and all this seems to be taking over my life. Im constantly feeling down and unsociable and cant be bothered doing things and seem to ponder on this problem. Can anyone relate to this and hopefully reassure me. I'd love to wait and see if it settled down and went away but I have a nagging in my mind that if it is my worst fear you should catch these things early, and I could be making the problem worse.

MollyBunn
25-11-08, 08:37
I am a fine one to talk but it really does sound like anxiety. It can cause excess acid which in turn can cause the burning sensation. Also the throat tightness is a symptom of stress which the more you think of it the more you notice it the more you panic and it really is a vicious circle.
But really the best way to get proper reassurance is to visit the doctor. Then you will get the help you need.
I relate to what you are saying as I always imagine the worst but really, anxiety is so hard to deal with on your own. Just having someone who can help you get through will make you feel better.
The doctor can help.

Ddcoo
25-11-08, 09:44
:huh: I agree with MollyBunn, it seems as though you have a lot of stress and some depression too when you say you can't be bothered with anything, and I certainly know what that feels like. I would urge you to go to the doctors and tell him exactly what you have written here and I am sure he will see what we see. Please go, then I am sure you will be relieved of the fear.

Jan63
25-11-08, 12:08
I'm wondering if you could be suffering from acid reflux or GERD because it sounds pretty much like what I had a couple of months ago and I was convinced I had throat cancer too. My voice was croaky and I had a constant feeling that something was stuck in my throat. I couldn't eat or sleep and I also had heartburn. The doctor prescribed some omeprazole capsules which stop the acid and they are brilliant. I had some blood tests too which were okay except the one for helibactor which came back positive but he gave me antibiotics to treat it.

Hope you are okay.:hugs: I really think it is because you are very stressed out though and I would go to the doctor and see if you can try the omeprazole capsules to get rid of your acid and then your other symptoms should go away.:hugs:

Eddie 656
25-11-08, 21:33
Thank you all for your comments. I know the only sure way is to go to the docs but I've always been the type to let things "right themselves" and with me, they usually do and just go away. Daft really, anyone else would go to the doctors, get diagnosed and get it all over with a lot quicker. But I suppose we are all different.
I have noticed recently, well since this started really, I seem to have lost my get up and go. I used to go out and socialise with friends. Now, I make arrangements and when it comes to the time to go out, I ring round and make excuses not to go. I've also noticed that the symptoms dont really show that much when I first wake up, or when Im occupied doing something, but it gets worse in the evenings, probably because I am relaxing and my mind starts thinking about it.
Maybe my lifestyle hasn't helped. I've had a couple of broken relationships over the past 12 months. Also the financial problems and job security issues. just seems \Im getting nowhere recently. I tend to eat spicy food and being single dont get the chance to prepare healthy food so could be lacking in vitamins. Most of the time I dont get to eat my dinner till around 7.30-8.00pm. I do drink but not excessively.
I have become so engrossed with this problem over the last couple of months its starting to take over my life. At one point I was convinced I was suffering with the worst, and after reading some of the threads on this forum it seems the more you worry the worse it gets.
I read a post somewhere that when somebody got annoyed about something or upset they got this stiffening sensation in the neck and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Well I always get that sensation, and thats what this feels like, but all the time. Thanks again for comments so far, but if anyone has anything to add, or similar experiences and what they did about it, please put my mind at rest and tell me about your experience.

Thanks again.......Eddie

Jan63
25-11-08, 21:38
I have felt so much better this week since I have stopped thinking and worrying about my health - it's amazing how the pains just go away when you occupy yourself doing something else.:huh: I think the more you think about the problem the worse you feel.

Worrier
25-11-08, 23:14
Hi Eddie,

I read your post and felt like you were talking about me. I have HA that stems from having palps 24/7 for 4 months and thinking that I was dying. Anyway the last few months have been so difficult with throat issues. Over the summer I would wake up and have a lot of phlegm and cough it up and then I would obsess over whether it was coming back and I would choke. I also am very careful about what I eat, no stringy cheese on pizza or things that I feel would get stuck in my throat, meat has been especially difficult and I have pretty much stopped eating that too. I have had strange aches/pains in my throat and really became obsessed about it all. It is a very hard thing to live with and I have spent many hours thinking about it, crying about it and trying to deal with it.

Somedays I am fine all day and then when I get home my throat seems dry and I am coughing and clearing my throat a lot and then my panic starts all over again. I absolutely sympathise with what you are going through and truly believe it is anxiety which is perpetuated by more worrying and then more anxiety.

Try and relax and get back into your social life. Honestly when you are occupied doing other things, you will feel better.

I'd be happy to chat with you anytime, please feel free to PM me.

Take care and hang in there.

Natalie

Eddie 656
25-11-08, 23:39
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear you are suffering too. I dislike doctors and hospitals that much I have always been one for self diagnosis and leaving things to cure "naturally" (coward really!) but when it comes to an experience like this, I must admit, it is quite scary!
Although when you read other posts on here you can sympathise with other people, theres another way of looking at it that you are not alone.
Im going to take your advice and get myself out, get my brain active by thinking of something else and hopefully this might just go away, even for just a break.
Have you sought medical advice yet? I really hope things get better for you.
Take care......Ed

Eddie 656
26-11-08, 03:32
Morning any night owls out there. I think I've been worrying about my problem a bit too much tonight. It seems to have flared up a bit more and now I cant sleep.
I did manage to find a torch earlier and had a little look at my throat in the mirror. The right hand tonsil looks signifantly enlarged and my throat looks red and something like a scratched appearance. Im not sure what to look for but I think there was some slight evidence of milkyish spots around some areas although this wasn't raging. Its got me worried now,to the point of "googling" the symptoms again. Anybody got any comforting ideas or advice.
I need some sleep, Im up for work at 7am
Thanks Ed