Tightness in throat and chest

[Bradly]

I was'nt sure where to put this one because I seem to suffer from so many different things and I'm not exactly sure which one of them (if any) is causing it. I suffer from panic, anxiety and I think, some depression in there somewhere.

Anyway, my throat has felt very restricted for about 3-5 days now and I am swallowing a lot. It feels very tight/full and like there's a popping sound/feeling in there whenever I swallow and my chest also feels tight. It also feels kind of sore (not like a sore throat but more like I have something in there that makes swallowing uncomfortable). Sometimes I don't notice it that much and other times it makes me scared.

Any suggestions?. Anyone else get this?. Yes, I know I could just march down to the doctor's office (and I probably will very soon) but I was just wondering if anyone here can relate to these symptoms.

Thank's

[twodogs]

I'd like to know what is causing this too because I have the exact same symptoms as you and I have panic attacks/anxiety myself.

I hope we get an answer soon because it is really freaking me out. I just took a Xanax and it seemed to calm down some but it's still there. My throat feels tight, constricted, popping/clicking/lumpy/bumpy...blah blah feeling when I swallow too and I feel like I have to swallow every few seconds.

[Angelwings]

This happens to me sometimes when a panic attack strikes but my throat just gets really tight and I have a difficult time breathing. I think it's pretty normal and I'm glad they don't last forever although regular anxiety seems to be a different matter.

[rara]

Are you sure it isnt physical? And Are you sure one anxiety isnt a sympton of the other?

[Star]

Hi Bradly, what my psychiatrist always told me to do when I felt the tightness in my chest from being anxious, is to pull back your shoulder blades. In doing that you open up your rib cage and hense make it easier to breathe.

As for the lump in the throat I find that there is not alot you can do about it but take some deep breaths, it does go away after a bit, maybe try to drink some water, or focus on something other then the uncomfortable feeling.

[bummed]

yes i have so many of the symptoms  it sucks  im so afraid of dying that im not living my throat and chest hurt for the month atleast  just try to go its hard but i push myself some time so that trapped in my house like hremit

[foggy]

Hey! I know this is an old thread, but I've started to have a great deal of tightness in my throat (There were a few seconds last night when I couldn't swallow - incredibly scary, and didn't help the anxiety!). Other people have experienced this...even when not in the throws of a panic attack? Any new tips on how to cope?

This is all so frustrating - but (as mentioned in a more recent thread), this board is incredibly helpful. It is so nice to have people to commiserate and share these awful experiences with!  :)

[SistahGeek]

I have also begun experiencing this, during a panic attack and then sometimes just in anticipation of the next attack...very frustrating....

[Amie]

A couple years ago I went to an ent guy for this. (put the light thing up my nose and down my throat. wasn't too bad)  He called it globus.  Yet another lovely anxiety related disorder.  :-\  I have a really hard time with this one.  I get it really bad when I'm driving.  I really don't find driving to be overly stressful, but apparently some part of my brain does.  I've found the more I think about it the worse it gets.  Drinking ice water seems to help.  It also seems to get worse when I let myself get dehydrated.  :)

[james2612]

This is a classic symptom of panic disorder. After my attacks I get the tight throat, feels like a lump. This was lasting up to a week then I just accepted it and it went away. I tried Valium it has a muscle relaxant in it also goes away. Though thats a last resort. I get pains under my ribs, first I thought I had angina but it is more like a stitch. Once I realized and accepted it was due to panic it went away in seconds. Now I just have the attacks to deal with, I worry for days after most about my health.

[sam]

Just reading this is making my throat shut up tight and my chest feel heavy.. try dropping your head to your chest too, that helps a little bit with the tight throat thing.

[damien]

Tightness in the chest, throat, and stomach can all be symptomatic of high anxiety levels. As an anxious person, having those sensations for an extended period may bring on worries of a more serious health issue. And if the sensations increase with worry about the sensations themselves, then that's a good sign that what you're experiencing is anxiety related. Of course, it's always a good idea to consult with a qualified medical doctor for confirmation, but if you're pretty sure that anxiety is the cause, then learning to manage the anxiety will lead to a cessation of the symptoms.

Good luck!

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key" - The Eagles

Damien

[xadorkablefreakx]

Hey, I just joined this forum (found it on google acutally asking a question on how to calm my throat from being so darn tight!) and it seems very useful and alive of diffrent with opinons and facts. Anyways, Currently as I type, I am having tightness in my throat and I feel a lump every time i swallow. My anxiety disorder has really gotten out of hand and I basically go to sleep a nervous wreck and wake up a nervous wreck. I have horrible chest pains, back pains, pulsating arterys in my neck at times, everytime i get excited (whether I get excited about something good or bad) I feel like throwing up, espeically when breathing, i get afraid of death and losing my mind, constantly feeling like fainting, and the list goes on. I was diagnosed with Bi-polar, anxiety disorder, and ocd but have been off my meds for 8 months now due to not having insurance. It's gotten so horrible, that i can't even function when im trying to have fun with people. Xanex helps me alot, but i only get to use it when i'm with my aunt (shes on it). Sometimes klonpin helps, but lately i'm finding it to making me more nervous or just completely knocking me out of energy. At night, I'll end up calling 1-800 suicde(they blocked this word from being show, I am really wondering why!) hotline because i'm freaking out so much.  To answer the question of the whole throat thing (which i think is apparent because alot of others have said the same symptoms on here) Just try to relax your body. Get a heating pad and put in on your neck (your back neck muscles have alot to do with your throat). Also, put your head up to the air and take two fingers and stroke your apples adam.  Singers tend to do this when they feel a strain in their throat due to straining their voice. It comes in handy. Tea is always a great way to sooth a throat especially if it feels weird. Heck, throw some vix under your nose to make yourself realize that you are breathing more. If anyone around you wouldn't mind massaging your neck and shoulders, that could help as well. Meditation is the key to calm the nerves. When I get panicky, i go to my spirutal side and get insync with my body, soul, and mind. It helps alot. Well, i'm glad to be a part of the forum, it surely has helped my panic attack tonight (techinally morning). Good night!! - Ashley