Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum - Throat tightness and discomfort

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Q: Throat tightness and discomfort

asked by: crimsonbutterfly on February 12th, 2009

New User

Ok, so I am a 19 yr old female who has had this problem for 5 years. It is not anxiety (I am pretty sure) because it is constant. It doesn't just happen when I think about it, it is always there. It started when I was 14 for no apparent reason. I was watching a movie with my family when all of a sudden I felt like my throat was very tight (like if I was 'choked up' going to cry). I have had x-rays done in conjunction with a barium swallow to see if there was any blockage and there wasn't.
My symptoms are:
-Tight throat (choked up feeling) below "adam's apple".
-Cannot complete a yawn. EVER.
-Can force my throat muscles open by contracting the muscles I would use to yawn (if I could).
-EXTREMLY tight, almost not able to breathe, when laying down on my back with my head turned to either side (worse if turned left)
-If I push on my lower throat (in that little indentation between collar bones) I feel a little bit better.
-Angles of my neck required to swim (breaststroke; neck straining upwards and forward) nearly cut off my air entirly.
-Don't have any difficulty eating or drinking.
-Just feel as though my airway is a lot more narrow than it used to be.
-If i'm not thinking about it I don't really notice it much, but it is still there.
I have no history of panic attacks or anxiety or stress realted problems.
This started when I was 14 remember, and I have never smoked.

what's wrong with me and can someone please help me make this discomfort go away?

Replies(17)

MGS

replied on March 8th, 2009

New User

Have you ever been tested for asthma? The throat tightness and inability to complete a yawn remind me of how I often feel when my asthma is acting up.

Superkadiibabii

replied on March 13th, 2009

New User

I would be 100% willing to bet it is anxiety.. I have anxiety and i too go through just about every one of your symptoms.. Hope i helped..

artmetalist

replied on April 3rd, 2009

New User

Tightness in throat

I have the same exact problem with cronic tightness in my throat. Hard to tell if stress is the cause because this condition IS VERY STRESSFUL!

I was perscribed a Pantanse inhaler, which has helped some, and am currently trying Nexium for GERD. That hasn't done a thing. May ask my GP about the possibility of asthma being the cause. Good luck and I will be reading for any other suggestions.

ginamp

replied on May 21st, 2009

New User

I got the smae symptoms after having had a sphenoid sinus infection. Just out of the blue one day I got this throat restiction and chest tightness. Have had it for about 5 months. I have been to many doctors and have had many tests, none have an answer other than anxiety. I, like you do not believe it is anxiety and having been looking for answers. If anyhthing comes up please let me know.

Best of luck

Gina

sharda

replied on June 11th, 2009

New User

I've the same problem from the last 2 weeks,doctor says the same thing 'anxiety' but I dont think so,I do not have any health problems in my life till now,can somebody help?

ginamp

replied on June 11th, 2009

New User

I ended in Emergency at the hospital because of this last week. They did an ecg and some blood tests and all seemed fine. The very sweet doctor told me to have an ultrasound of the carotids, arteries at the neck area and a thyroid function test. These are also things that can cause tightness. I also had massive migraine headache everytime after I have had the tightness or even with the tightness. Have you had your thyroid checked out? AS for anxiety once your doctor believes you have anxiety they tend not to look for anything else. Keep asking for them to do tests. The nexium didn't work for me either. They then gave me pariot (i think that is what it is called or maybe even pariet) that work better, but didn't take away all the symptoms. Good Luck

rightside

replied on June 11th, 2009

Active User, very eHealthy

This IS an anxiety issue. It is called Globus Hystericus, and causes the muscles in the throat to tighten. I have had it on and off for over 25 years, and it is one of the most annoying and tiring afflictions! Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it other than get muscle relaxants from your doctor, and practice slow deep breathing. It comes on even when you don't think you are anxious, but even thinking about it can cause it to flare up. Try to find things to do to keep your mind off it as much as you can. Mine went away for years, and now started to crop up again here and there. I really feel for all of you who have this miserable problem, but it will go away, so try not to worry about it too much. That just seems to make it worse. Even reading about it makes mine start to tighten!

yami

replied on June 29th, 2009

New User

I have the same problem i feel my throat tight and my glands are a little swollen have no idea what it is but its really driving crazy. When to ENT Dr. and send me nexium but thats not helping me. I wish i knew whats wrong because I'm really worried.

buddykisses4u

replied on June 30th, 2009

New User

Hi raven53

i am replying to you especially because i have had this for six years....i feel so bad for you having to deal with this for over 25 years...it drains me. i too have had all the tests and thank god nothing shows, but i wish they could give me something to stop it....it went away for about six mos. and is now back with a vengence.....even if i turn my head side to side or the way i lay down....it feels like being choked up before crying..just all the time....my heart goes out to you. it is helpful hearing other people describe the same thing...you just think doctors could find something to help...did you try any medications....???
thanks for sharing....and i pray we both and all these other people struggling with this troublesome, scarey thing, get well soon...
buddyboing

vanycoello

replied on July 13th, 2009

New User

tightness in the troat

hello every one i have read lots of postings about this problem, i just ended up at the emergency room because i feel so bad about 3 days ago they told me nothing is wrong and send me home i have similar symptoms my tightness started slowly comes and goes and my chest between the collar bones and sternum feels tight my back between the shoulder blades also feels dull pain as if muscle is tight, i read two versions one that is anxiety related to tress the other is something called the cricopharyngeal spams, for those of you that are not stress i read on this forum that you can get some relief with muscle relaxers. i just started my ordeal not to long ago i have a different symptom my tightness comes down below my neck and when i eat i fells i have something stuck in my esophagus, i do have thyroid problems, hyper but has been controlled with meds well, the felling is so different from a goiter. and i am in a little bit stress. i live in korea dont speak korean and i am trying to explain this to the doc, it is very hard, but for all those of you who can seek medical help i wish you the best!!!! keep me porsted on how you guys cope with this awful thing. so far i am praying more!!!!

jaaway

replied on July 19th, 2009

New User

Throat tightness

hello, i have a similar problem, it came out of a sudden after i recovered from a flu. i went to see a specialist and he said that i am suffering for hyperventilation. but my symptoms are similar with what all of you described. He suggested me breathing in and out of a paper bag,for a few minutes slowly, it then to help a little.
I hear some people here experienced this for years,i sympathies with you guys as i now know how terrible this feels. i live in fear that i might suffocates, i cant sleep well. But this tends to gets better when i am relax. what are the proper treatments available out there? Please help

stormy_81

replied on July 23rd, 2009

New User

ive experience all these t0o!!! bt just like yours, doctors think i just have gerd. one prescribe me prednisone, antibiotic for my red and slightly swollen throat and antacid, prilosec.
he told me that if ever i wont be well, he'll perform another test to see my thyroid status. so what i did was to find another doctor. same thing, he said its a stress-related disorder. globus hyperticus.
my test was all normal.
so i guess all we have to do if ever it occurs again is to have a good relaxation technique.

racinrays

replied on August 22nd, 2009

New User

vanycoello hello, I also live in korea and am dealing with almost the same exact issues!! Where do you live? Look forward to chatting with you!

heindzy57

replied on August 30th, 2009

New User

hi im going through this at this exact moment and feeling very panicky and a feeling that i might swallow my tounge my throat is tight and having trouble relaxing its awful i didnt realise so many people went through the same thing i will try everything that people have writen. this isnt the first time iv had this and iv had enough already any more tips on how to controle it iv tried breathing and doing this its not working thx and i too feel for everyone that goes through this.

Mutter11

replied on September 14th, 2009

New User

I have this problem to I think it is anxiety I tried Nexium to it does not help when I am relaxed and busy I son't have it the minute I am sitting down and thinking about I get worse is anybody taking anxiety meds for it like Lexepro let me know wish I would feel better. looking forword to hear from anybody.

slovenlysitter

replied on September 26th, 2009

New User

tightness of the throat

I have had this problem on and off for a year now but I know mine is postural. When I extend my neck and chest back hard, chin in, and hold and breathe deeply, I find it goes completely for a while - until I spend time on the computer again and it comes back and then I stretch again!! Try this and see if it helps you too (since you have checked out other causes).

princiness

replied on October 2nd, 2009

New User

Tightness of throat

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one with this problem. I just started feeling this tightness in my throat two weeks ago. I believe that mines is coming from anxiety due to less sleep and stress in my life. I agree that relaxation and breathing exercise might help. I guess if this continues then I will have no choice but to check myself to my private doctor.

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