long term sore throat

[Hazel7797]

Hi

I'm reading it, because, I have just joined this site after finding a thread through 'googling' my long term sore throat issues! I have had a sore throat that started off by feeling as if there were a 'lump in my throat', making it difficult to swallow. Now it is really quite painful and has been going on for about 6 months now, which actually coincides with me giving up smoking. I also get hoarseness too. I went to the doctor who had a look and said that she didn't feel it was anything "too bad" and has referred me to ENT, I have an appointment in about 6 weeks time.

I too worry an awful lot about cancer because there is a history of it in my family - both grandparents, aunt etc., and I myself have had two Malignant Melanomas, so I ma terrified (literally) that I am prone to cancer.

This site has helped me a little by showing me that I am not alone. I hope that it helps you too!

Hazel

[ahmedacm]

Ahmed

I have the same throat pain my throat was like this for a year week's after a came to Ireland from Africa a year and three monhs ago I went to the doctor about 8 or 7 times he gave me antibiotics but it didn't help. I had a heartburn and indigestion when I was about 13 years old and I triad stocking a year ago but after 3 days I stopped it after.
Only the right side of my throat have pain I am worrdied about it
I need to know why my throat hurt and what is causing it

[Hazel7797]

Mine has been going on for nearly a year now, with no sign of easing. Doctor has sent me for Endoscopy and Barium Swallow and again another Endoscopy. They said that there is some acid reflux occurring, but haven't given me any idea of what could be actually causing it? I'm very scared, because whenever I 'Google' my symptoms, they always throw up the causes as 'the big C', so I try not to look too much now. I've even started keeping a 'food diary' in which I write down everything I eat and drink during a day and how I feel at the end of the day - just to see if I can link anything to my symptoms - which now include aches and pains in all sorts of obscure and (seemingly) unrelated areas, like, collar bones, shoulder blades, neck, back and even my mouth and tongue?!!

I just wish someone could put my mind at rest and give me a solution.

[jim-uk]

Hi Vernon, Hazel and everyone else.

I have had a sore throat for 6 weeks and been to the Dr. twice. I am now waiting to see a specialist.

My symptoms were 'something in my throat' and it was appearing to progress to my collar bones and neck...I was terrified. While searching my symptoms on the internet I discovered they were the same as throat cancer.

Now, my wife thought it was all in my head as I have form in this department. I thought previously that chest pains were a heart attack and thought what turned out to be piles was prostate cancer......so she thought this was the same thing. coincidentally I have been under a LOT of stress at work and she thought the 2 were related..

so, after reading a thread in the anxiety column I came across a phrase 'Globus pharyngis' - I think my wife was right. This was this morning I discovered it and I'm already feeling better.

I'm not suggesting you stop the medical path at all. I am suggesting that you read up on it and give it some thought.

I am 40, not losing weight, feel great and was told I was too young for throat cancer. I was right though - there was something there. no one could tell me otherwise. I had almost lost my job and this happened too!

Now though I know it is all tied in. It is psychosomatic.

Please consider it friends.

[Hazel7797]

Hi Jim

Yes, one of the doctors at ENT, thought it could be Globus Pharyngeus, but it doesn't just feel like 'something is stuck' any more, it actually is sore and stings when I drink liquids (even plain water). But that's not all, I also have stomach pains that do not always occur in the same area of my stomach and it is very bloated. I have been prescribed Omeprazole and Domperidone but it is still going on. I also have aches across my shoulder blades at the back and lower back too. There are a catalogue of other aches and pains too - aches in nearly every muscle of the body, neck, collar bones, arm holes, underarms, sides of breasts - which, I'm sure people think that it is all in my mind . . . I hope to God it is as I dread to think what else it could be!

[big K]

Hello all,
I too have had the long term sore throat for almost a year now. It is mostly on the left side and only when I swallow. When I sit idle it does not have any pain, it is only when I swallow that it feels scratchy and dry, almost as if there were a dry lump, but there is no lump.
About 6 months ago I went to an ENT doctor and he checked my throat, no lumps, some mild irritation, and then the camera up the nose. He said there were a few polyps which can occur when irregular natural moisturizing of the nasal passages occurs. He put me on 6 weeks of Prilosec and wanted me to come back in to check up. Well after the first two week dose of Prilosec, which is an acid reflux medication, nothing was different. Ever since the beginning some days are good and I don't feel any discomfort when swallowing at all, and some days it is a much stronger sense of irritation. This was no different, I thought it might be working but then a day or two later, it was back. My close buddy who is a trained doctor in both western medicine and eastern philosophies, said that I should be REAL careful with the acid reflux medicines, because they are designed to really stir up your natural acid balance in your stomach and otherwise. Which, if you don't have an acid problem, could create a lot more problems. He shared some alternative therapies like the gargling concoctions, but I have yet to try those with any long term discipline. I have learned to somewhat live with it.
I am 40 years old, and have not lost or gained weight as a result of this. I can eat and drink normally. I do however, contribute most of the issue to the fact that I was a pot smoker for 20 years. This began occurring around the time I quit smoking pot, and I thought I'll give it up entirely now be cause the sore throat is not helping things either. Well, the sore throat when swallowing remains
And I have my theories about what 20 years of smoking can do to the Natural balance of a persons body. It can't be good, just as smoke of any kind being ingested can't be good. I am a little freaked that it could be throat cancer, but after reading this thread and a few other things I found in my "sore throat for a year" online search, I see it is occurring in several people and no real conclusive reason as to why. I have never had problems with acid reflux, so I don't think I should be concerned with that or try Prilosec for such a long time. I do feel there is one last thing I will try in which I will check back with you all and let you know how it works out, and that is a cleanse of the body. I have done one before in the past, and it is not only good to do to feel better in general, but if done properly it can act as a "reset button" for your body. Cleansing your body of all the harmful chemicals and nasty things we ingest in our foods and drinks works, and it might work in this case. I will let you know.
There is also a chance that it is allergies. I moved to Los Angeles back in 2002 and after a few months, I had cold symptoms for a month. Runny nose, sore throat, chest congestion, I thought it was the worst cold I had ever had and it didn't go away. I finally went to the doctor and she told me I had allergies. I was put on an allergen and it cleared me right up. I had never had an allergy in my life before that and in 2004 I moved from Los Angeles and I never had allergies again since then. In my search this time, I found an article that stated that older people my age can develop allergies easier and not know it and begin to have itchy, dry, scratchy throats. I have not looked into this possibility yet as I have just learned about it this morning in my search. I will let you know. I have my doubts though, based on the number of occurrences of people who have gone to the doctor in this thread and been told they can't find the issue.
My last resort before I either go to the doctor and have endless tests run, or just learn to "live with it", will be the full body cleanse. I'll let you know.

[Pondera]

Hi all,

I too found this thread through Googling various 'long term sore throat' searches and have had it bookmarked for some months. I concur with most of the symptoms in the threads and having just read big K's post I thought it time I added my experiences.

Apologies for it being a bit long but I hope it helps someone...

Over Christmas 2012 I had the onset of sore throat. Dry, lumpy feeling and scratchy feeling in my throat and down to my voice box. The type that felt like I'd swallowed a razor blade. I put this down to everyone having colds, coughs etc. but this went on for the next couple of months or so and varied in intensity which I found to be related to alcohol. I drink regularly, sometimes a lot. I don't smoke and keep a reasonably good diet, so this really is my only vice. At 43 I didn't think it was anything as serious as throat cancer, but as we all know, Google will convince you otherwise!

So 5 months later in May I visit the Doc, they look down my throat, check my ears and say it all looks fine. The lump feeling is still there so I ask to be referred to an ENT doctor. The lump sensation feels like it's behind my throat to one side and not in it as such. I can drink and swallow with no pain.

I visit the ENT doctor, looks in, carries out an Endoscopy (not painful, maybe a little eye watering) and can find nothing at all. I mentioned that I'd read this can sometimes be caused by acid reflux, and wonder if it's that, and I'm prescribed a months worth of Lansoprazole and industrial quantities of Gaviscon Advance and sent on my way - come back in a month.

A month later I return and things are no better or worse, the lump and swallowing sensation are still there. I also realise that the 'lump' appears to making my head feel odd kind of behind my jaw, much to the ENT docs confusion. Once again I receive an Endoscopy, nothing found and booked in for an MRI scan. Now I begin to find it difficult to sleep at night.

I go for the MRI scan, with a contrast injection half-way through (I'm told it makes anything suspicious extra clear). In the scanner I can definitely feel the lump and I think that if anything IS there then it should certainly show.

Two worrying weeks later I return and the results are 100% clear. no sign of anything untoward, or lumps or anything anywhere. In the docs own words 'If you stay like this you'll live forever'. The scan pictures were the whole of my head and neck too. I was then told that the sensation must be due to some sort of throat muscle 'spasm' and I'm duly discharged, feeling somewhat bewildered by the results.

Here we are almost a year on from my initial visit and the symptoms are still there. Not so much the soreness, but the lump sensation certainly is. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's an allergy of some sort, so heading back to the docs again when I find the time.

Regards,
P.

[Hazel7797]

I too, had all the same symptoms as everyone here on this thread . . . for nearly two years! After all the tests everyone else had, the consultant finally diagnosed 'Globus Pharyngeus' . . . basically, it was all in my head!

Anyway, after a very nasty bout of vertigo the doctor asked me a load of questions about what was going on in my life and decided I was suffering with stress, prescribed some medication and my symptoms got a great deal better! I still have my 'off' days, but I certainly feel a hundred times better than I did 2 years ago.

I hope this helps those of you who are worrying about cancer and other 'nasty' things - like I was - and that it gives you a point of reference to check out, 'Globus Pharyngeus'

Hazel

[cornishbumkin]

Hi just found this thread on Google and really glad i did.

I have had soar throat and hoarse voice on and off for months now, and after reading this below and others as put my mind to rest a bit,

The reason I asked about the coughing or more specifically the constant clearing the throat is that the doc said everytime I did this I was effectively scratching the throat which would irritate it as well.

Hope you get yours sorted mate. __________________
Nicola

I have smoked for 40 years and most in my family die from cancer, and only last year my sister died from throat cancer so made me worry more, but i been coughing up rubbish plus clearing my throat all the time.

Few months ago i had a chest xray which all come back clear. i know i should pack them in but its really hard after so long.

[JaySDee]

I've got an ulcer thing at back of throat on wall of oesophagus. Won't heal, ENT can't see it, but it's getting worse. And painful, it wasn't at start