Throat tightness

[paulscholes]

Hi all,

I'm a new member here and would like to share one of my problem these days and hopeful that someone can shed some lights.
For the past few months my anxiety level has become worsen.
It started a month ago when I had this bad cold, I was so worried about my health. One night I was very anxious and all of a sudden I feel tightness in my throat, it's kinda like the feeling when you are sad/crying. Then my tongue got cramped. So I tried to relax and it went away after a good 10-15 minutes.

I feel better about myself now but recently I experience the same thing again, but it took longer about a day or two.
Now I'm experiencing the same thing PLUS the hoarseness.

Part of myself I think it's anxiety, because I can't stop thinking 24/7 about it. Which makes it worst. I have an appointment with my doctor this friday. I tried to go directly to ENT but they said it was based on referral only.

This morning when I was so worry, the tightness became so intense, only when I tried to relax it went away.

[mplus]

Hey there,

I struggle with something a wee bit similar. For the past few months, I've had a feeling at the bottom of my throat as if something was stuck there. I kept clearing my throat in hopes that whatever it was would dislodge. It never did. That started me thinking that it was a tumor or something.

I went to my doctor and she thought it was acid reflux. She gave me some prescription-strength acid reducers but that didn't make it go away. She referred me to a gastro-enterologist. His guess was that it was a "Globus Sensation" -- basically, anxiety making my throat close up. He said it was all psychological. He then gave me the choice of a Barium Swallow or Endoscopy to confirm it. I chose the Barium Swallow. It showed that everything was normal.

The gastro advised me to visit a therapist and that the sensation would likely disappear the less anxious I was about it. And, that, to a large degree has been true. It comes and goes, but it seems to come on when I think about it and disappear when I don't.

Of course, with someone like me, who is prone to anxiety, I'm going to think about it. Especially, when I wake up with night sweats and my mind starts thinking that they missed something on the Barium Swallow.

[simpsong]

I have exactly the same throat tightness.  Its so good to hear someone else has it.  Ive had if for years and it can last up to a week at a time.  Ive had all the heart and lung tests they have never found anything.  I suffer from anxiety so I can only assume its something to do with my breathing because of all this anxiety I put my body under.

[panik]

I just went thru this as well. I don't need referrals, so after my dr. told me it was due to reflux from anxiety, I went to a gastro dr. as well. They did an endoscopy, and did a biopsy. They gave me prescription strength acid reducers also, and my biopsy results were all negative. I still have the feeling in my throat when my anxiety is high. So I take an anti-anxiety med for that. In fact, I have it now!!!

[sparkely88]

this was my life story 2 years ago. this has to be the worst sypton of anxiety. you feel like your chocking like your swallowing a small ball. i used to get it every single single day for about 4 years it would go away sometimes. anyways my end result was my throat muscles were spasming which made me feel alot better. when i would go through the tight throat i would Dr jump (bounce from one Dr to the next) anyways tight throat is very uncomfortable. i get it every now and again and i can get it to go away with in about 30 mins because i keep telling myself my throat muscles are in spasms again. good luck feel better :)