Throat Problem

[constantworrier]

Hi All,

I have been having discomfort in my throat now for a few weeks and i am getting scared.

It comes and goes and varies between a slight ache to feeling there is a lump stuck in there. It seems to involve the one side only and i had some ear discomford (blocked) on the same side which has now improved. I also feel like i am being strangled at times !

Strangely, i can swallow food and drink fine, with no discomfort at all.

I saw my GP a few days after this started and he said it was a mild throat infection and would run its course.

I have since seen my dentist who did a check for oral cancer at my request and he confirmed all looked ok.

I do smoke though am in the process of trying to give up by cutting down gradually.

Can these symptoms be due to just anxiety?...and if there is a throat infection as well, how long can these last? (I've never had one before.)

Thanks,

Best regards, CW

[lauren6]

Anxiety can cause a condition called globus hystericus where you feel like there's a lump in your throat. Acid reflux can also cause that, also gas pressure. But anxiety is so often the cause and is usually listed under symptoms of anxiety. When we are about to cry, we feel it a lot and less at anxious times. If it continues, you could see an ear nose and throat specialist as well as a gastroenterologist and maybe get an endoscopy, let them look at your eustachian tube. I've had 2 done and was asleep, knew nothing. This will rule out a physical cause.

[Michelle41]

Hi CW

I'v been looking at this website for some comfort about my throat problems and when I saw yours, I thought that's me!

I have had exactly the same symptoms as you...all the same feelings, ear problems etc but I didn't dare go to the doctors as I thought he would say....that horrible c word! How is yout throat now?

I am sure it is nothing to worry about but you can't help thnking...can you?

I have a got a lot of stress in my life at the moment which I don't think is helping the throat problem either ie moving house!!

I too am trying to give up smoking and I have ordered one of the electronic cigarettes. I've got to do something. I can't stand all this worry about cancer all the time and hoping quitting will help!

Hope you feel better soon
Michelle

[xfilme]

I had exactly the same for about 2 months. Mine was globus. x

[always-ill]

Hi all,

I have exactly the same thing and have had it for about 6 weeks, it all started after a bout of tonsilitis which cleared up and I was fine for a week and then this lumpy, tightening feeling started. Have just been to see the doc who diagnosed globus but has offered me an endoscopy if I so wish, to put my mind at rest, but am too scared to have it done, so Im going to try and sort it out by relaxation and exercise befor I go down that route. Has anyone had this and got over it, and if so how as its driving me mad.
Thanks.

[xfilme]

yes, i had it and got rid of it. my technique was to chose to totally ignore it and tell myself it was DEFINITELY in my head. It went within days. I figured if it hadn't disappeared within a week, then after that I would allow myself to worry about it again. But it went before the end of the week. x

[constantworrier]

Hi all,

Thankyou so much for your previous kind replies. Unfortunately i dont seem to be much better.

This is a bit of a long post.... please be patient with me - i am just trying to give as much detail as possible...and explain my fears.

Basically, I am scared that something sinister and serious is wrong - a severe infection spreading - an abscess - cancer???!!!

Trouble is i am equally scared to get this investigated too thoroughly and put my mind at ease cos i am scared of bad resuts and having to deal with them. My life is now in complete limbo and i dread what tomorrow is going to bring. Please help!

I am still suffering from this throat problem - its not as bad, but still there.

Unfortunately i have now developed an ear problem - on the right hand side, like my throat.

As well as an intermittent sore throat (right side only), I also have developed a pressure feeling in my ear. It builds through the day becoming quite painful and has now started to radiate into my jaw. At some points throughout the day, the symptoms almost disappear..then return as soon as i think about them again.

I have visited GP twice and he can find nothing obviously wrong. He did notice my eardrum looked "dull" last time i visited a few days ago and he said this can be due to fluid trapped behind the eardrum.

He thinks that symptoms could be due to having a throat virus / infection which has caused opening of Eustachian tube to swell shut in throat and presure / fluid to accumulate in E.tube. (I confess, Dr.Google has since informed me that certain tumours in the back of the nose / throat can also cause similar blockages...guess which doctor i believe most? :( )

Alternatively, my GP thinks GERD (acid reflux) could be responsible and has prescribed me a course of lansoprazole (to reduce amount of acid my stomach produces) to stop it refluxing and causing throat to be sore (would this cause sore throat on one side only like mine though?)

If this doesnt work, he wants me to go to ENT specialist. I had a bad experience with an ENT surgeon a couple of years ago. he was far too abrupt, promptly performed a nasal endoscopy right there in his office with zero warning or explanation (thankfully found nothing seriously wrong) but announced that he would see my again in theatre should i contiunue to smoke! (A bit harsh?) Understandably i dont want to repeat that experience.

If you have got this far, thankyou for your patience...my questions i guess are:

1. Has anyody else had a similar throat / ear problem that has gone on for nearly 6 weeks or more and been not anything serious?

2. If so, how long did it go on for...did you end up having to go to ENT?

3. Has anyone taken lansoprazole? (I am actually too scared to take this because i am worried i will have a bad reaction to it!)

Thanks again in advance - any support an reassurement would be soooo gratefully received.

Best regards,

CW.

[Trish]

Hi CW

I understand your concerns as i suffer HA to

On Tuesday i went to see an ENT specialist after suffering almost the same as yourself. I had the 'scope' up my nose and down my throat...i could have thought of a more pleasant way to spend those few minutes!!

Anyway the specialist said that my throat was inflamed that could be caused by acid reflux, my steroid inhaler & of course my smoking Also she told me that i need to drink more than i do. There was no 'Nasties' there thank the Lord. She wants to repeat it again in 2 months.

I hope this help to ease your anxiety and that you can find it in you to return to your GP and let him know your fears.

Big

Trish x

[mummyto4]

Hi,
How long have you had this for? I ask because recently I had viral tonsilitis and you have described it perfectly. My throat hurt a lot (not sore) hurt for weeks, I could not get rid of it - then it went into my ears! they itched, hurt, whistled, then hurt again. This went on for weeks and weeks, around 6 - 8 weeks I think, may have been longer! I thought it was a throat infection and it was severe. Funnily enough, I have since heard quite a few people that have suffered the same thing since I had it. This horrible HA makes you think your the only one that has it though. Hope you feel better soon.

[mummyto4]

oops forgot to say, mine has gone now. I stil feel sometimes like my ears are a little bit blocked but I mean really really minor compared to how they did feel. It wasn't a nice way to feel so I do understand how you feel and it is scary, it scared me too at one point as it went on for a while. Drink lots of fluid, and don't do any karaoke!