Cricopharyngeus Spasm: A Troubling Feeling of a Lump in the Throat

[Darwinianmedicine]

Sorry tomcamp, but Dr. Bastian is renown for his scrupulous medical history and emphasis on novelty (his bold cricopharyngeus myotomy approach is as an example). The fact that he is providing free medical insights—to anyone on the Internet—demonstrates his sincerity. If more people were as scrupulous as him—doctors and lay people alike—the world would be a better place. Do not give up hope because there are additional avenues for treatment. Please explore them. All the best......

[Y0UngA55isin]

Im 12 years old and ive got this spasm thing M SOOO SCARED o_o

[Pippetypippen]

I've had all the symptoms described for over a week now! I'm getting frustrated. Is there a cure? Is there a way to solve this problem.... I'm very discouraged.

[fresswolf]

I was misdiagnosed with reflux disease by 3 doctors! All I had was a feeling of inflammation in the larynx. I took 100mg of MDMA and the smyptoms were gone completely! Also, the troubles I had with my singing voice were gone. So it was just this spasm and the drug made the muscles relax. I've completely lost faith in my doctors. They gave me PPIs which made me feel depressed and tired. I don't recommend taking MDMA more than once, but it's good to have the assurance that it's "just" a spasm

[phads77]

I have ALL the symptoms you describe. And I'm the patient that have gone to alot of doctors and they all say different things! ENT said it might be catarrh. Another ENT said it was because of phlegm. Another said it was stress. And my GP said he dont know and the list goes on. But the thing that bothers me is that I dont know if i have reflux that causes this or just stress...

[kevlardrone09]

this is new to me! this just happened 6hours ago! after few hours of eating dinner i felt this sensation so a drank a lot if water, even ate a banana hoping that it will help get rid of watever is stuck.. but its still here up to now!

[123lizemo]

i pig squeal and u do not know what that it its a sort of metal sing by inhaling or exhaling i inhale i think i may of strained a muscle with it go away and will it often get sore?

[Andearea]

Hi Dr. Bastian, thanks for you video. I have the lgobus sensation, as well as food getting "caught up" in my throat area. I'm aspirating trace amounts of liquids - my lungs are paying a price. In the ba swallow there is laryngeal penetration and leaking into the trachea. There is also a "V"-like area at the UES. In what percentage of people is Botox effective and is this treatment less effective than a myotomy? Have you seen aspiration related to tight UES's before and how did you resolve it?

[jjeby369]

Hi there,

I only get this type of feeling when I`m in conversation with someone and NO other time, it feels like my tonsils are hitting off my throat..is this the same sort of thing??? was gonna get it check out but I HATE going to the doctors.

[KiriouSs]

i actuall have it on the middle right  of my neck swollowing is ok....

[F1ashbax]

oh btw, to relieve the pain (and to confirm if its related to this or not) try Neck Release:

Place your hands behind your head touching your fingers. Press into the back of your neck with them and hold the pressure on them. After 45 seconds slowly lower your head until your neck is fully extended. Release the pressure but hold your head there for another 30 seconds.

For best results relax your body first by taking a deep breath and exhaling then remain this relaxed.

[F1ashbax]

I get this sore feeling mainly when I burp. It hurts on one side of the oesophagus, but on the outside of it. Right where that small muscle sits. Is Cricopharyngeus Spasm known to occur on one side? Neck massages help.

[aaronfryingpan99]

iam always coughing up alot of mucus and always get chest pains and right now iam taking some pills from my doctor to stop my acid reflux also now about two weeks after i now got this feeling in the back of my throat

[DavidAgdern]

I had it about 2 months ago - and I was able to cure it - here's what I did:

(Thanks to comment by "Jimmy" I realized that CPS is caused by silent reflux.

That lump, or stickiness is caused by stomach acid making its was up the throat.

1) Eliminate all acid-forming foods and eat ALKALINE foods.

2) Get a series of colonics, either at colon hydrotherapist office, or with a home colenema board (available from amazon.com and other sources).

3) Use Echanecea / Goldenseal / Propolis spray on throat.

[DavidAgdern]

I was hit with all the symptoms that Dr. Bastian is describing.

Do others experience an increased severity while lying down??

Have any of you noticed a chronic problem with congestion, (stuffed nose, sinuses, especially during the night) before the CPS symptoms appeared??

I have a strong suspicion as to what causes this. Too much mucus in the system.

If this sounds like it might apply to you, please comment, and I'll follow up.

[rodoscrypt]

lol! I have that exact same feeling in my throat and it's driving me crazy!!! I call it the little burp factory because there are these little burps that come from my throat. It's funny how it appears when you're swallowing saliva and dissapears when you're eating or drinking.

[tomcamp6023]

I HAVE NO TROUBLE AND I KNOW IT IS A SPASM. I WENT TO BASTIAN INSTITUTE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE DOCTOR UNDER BASTIAN, JUST GAVE UP AND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. HE SAID "BECAUSE THE BOTOX DIDN'T WORK , i DONT HAVE A CRICO SPASM. WRONG. BOTOX ONLY WORKS IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE. BASTIAN OFFICE DOES NOT KNOW 50 PERCENT OF WHAT THEY SHOULD ABOUT DIAGNOSES OF CRICO SPASM. I WASTED MY TIME THERE. THEY WERE NO HELP AND QUIT . THEY WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. WEAK PEOPLE. AVOID AT ALL COST.

[BVI03]

@tomcamp6023

I do not know you and cannot speak therefore to your specific issues. I certainly wish you the best in finding the answer you need.

[BVI03]

Someone recently posted and I think confused cricopharyngeus spasm with cricopharyngeus dysfunction. Remember that CP spasm gives the feeling of a lump, but swallowing works fine. CP dysfunction, on the other hand, intereferes with swallowing and tends to cause food lodgement mid-to-low neck.

[tomcamp6023]

@BVI03 . Your service does not know the causes of CP spasm and you don't know all the symptoms. I have CPspasms and I can swallow fine but the lump or Golfball as you say. Hurts. CPS can affect the nerves around the neck so you will have pain. If you don't know what causes it you probably don't know every symptom or how to cure it. I think you care and your video was very helpful but please don't lead people away just because they don't have pain. Once you have it you will see their alittle pain

[BVI03]

@tomcamp6023 Thank you for your response. There is of course variation in biological systems, and always the potential for an atypical manifestation of a disorder. Do keep in mind, however, that pain is not at all common with this disorder. The typical description is not pain, but instead a sensation of a lump, pressure, choking, constriction, a band, swelling, etc. I pain is prominent and especially if the person's experience of it is recent, this would suggest careful thought . . .

[tomcamp6023]

@BVI03 . WRONG!!! I DID NOT CONFUSE ANYTHING. NO PROBLEM SWALLOWING. PROBLEM AFTER I EAT.

[dittbub]

i have this erratic twitch in my throat but it goes away when i talk or eat. but for the life of me i can't sleep with it twitching away. i don't really have the "lump" feeling, it doesn't hurt. its just twitching away for no reason and its difficult to not focus on it. appears to me getting worse. it started about a week ago but its the third day its been happening just all the time. i have felt stressed lately...

[MsPinklipstick]

I have had this for several years which comes and goes without notice. But I also have trouble talking when I have symptoms and it feels like I'm straining to talk. It feels worse when I'm walking too. Is this a common symptom of cricopharyngeal spasm too?

[awesomebuddy]

Gotta say this was helpful.

If you stop thinking about it, it goes away, dont worry be positive and everything will work out. I get this everyonce in a while. It lasts a couple of days and then is gone for a long period.

Thanks for the post!

[aSmile4aDaisy]

I'm only 18 and I got this last night. I thought it was an allergic reacion...it still hasn't gone away today.....How long does it take for the spasm to go away completely? And once it's gone, will it come back?

[vivalaJamie01]

ive had this for 4/5 years, how have some people got rid of it after only 3 months?God sake I hope this goes soon, it really does ruin your life. It's got to the stage where i just don't want to talk to anyone, because it makes it really hard to talk when you have the feeling of being strangled, and to make it worse doctors just don't have a clue on how to help.

[N1ck1Sk123]

I have the lump allllll day long..tried everything..The only thing that makes the lump go competey away is Xanax or other benzo's..

[IronCobra22]

Dr. Bastian,

Could you please inform me about the possible cures for the spasm?

Can myotomy laser surgery be used to treat cricopharyngeus spasm or only cricopharyngeus dysfunction.

[breezy141]

Thank you :) Very helpful!

[eternallegend2007]

got that phlegm feeling right now

im very anxious all the time as it is so this is really not good for me :(

[The321Boomer]

this thing is happening to me too. im only 14 man!! 14!!! i keep thinking im going to die whenever my throat is blocked. Im afraid to go to sleep!!! This hapened 2 years ago, for like a day. It started again yesterday! Pleas help! Im afraid to swallow my saliva! Hel me sir, PLEASE!!!

[BO1RISTE]

thank you thank yu thank you thank you 1 million times thank you

[bkolemisevski]

I have the same problem too!!! For me it feels like I've swallowed a tiny sharp object and got stuck right below the Adam's apple. Its like a fingernail stuck in my larynx. I had a tonsils surgery exactly 3 yrs. ago and as I can see by other comments, this may be one of the causes triggering such a feeling. It all began few months ago while drinking a b-complex vitamin (tiny small tablet) bent over the sink in the toilet. It got stuck there and left me with this feeling almost for two months now

[mikeFTW100]

I've been to 3 doctors explaining that my throat feels tight and it feels like somethings stuck in my throat. I can breathe fine, eat and drink. but swallowing saliva is brutal. I have all the symptoms. the last doctor told me i have acid reflux, and gave me these pills. because i mentioned i had heartburn a few times in the past couple of days. i've been taking them a week, no heartburn, but still a lump sensation in the throat.

[xspilix]

@blackbeltninja2000 I also have that burp thing. It's weird. But it seems to help a little bit.

[zeldagoblin]

Thankyou for describing this in so much detail. I have suffered with this for almost 2 years now, and no medical professional has taken the time to explain it properly to me. I now know it has been attributed to my reflux problem and weak LES. I wish someone had told me about this a long time ago, and saved me a lot of worry.

[jjtruro]

I suffer from continuous clearing of throat sometime bringing up flem is this a sympton of cricopharyngeus spasm?

[jjtruro]

I suffer from continuous clearing of throat sometime bringing up flem is this a sympton of cricopharyngeus spasm

[Combatarms420]

can youplease help me... i have this and im only 15 i am seriously getting scared and makes me panic even when i think about it even know i know whats wrong it just makes me go crazy idk if i can live with this how can i get rid of it pllzzzzz zz help me plzzzzzzz

[BVI03]

@Combatarms420 This is an informational (not specific medical advice) response to several prior posts. CPS does not cause pain, nor does it interfere with ability to swallow. Eating reduces or abolishes the sensation, if transiently. This is an issue with increased muscle tone causing SENSATION of lump. Eating food works fine, and seems like "therapy," There is another dx of CPDysfunction (CPD, not CPM--they are different). Refer to CPD video too. And above all, see your doctor!

[tomcamp6023]

@BVI03 . CPS does cause pain. If you think that a golf ball in your throat doesn't hurt you are seriously stupid. I have had CPS and I know IT DOES CAUSE PAIN. You have not and know nothing. They do not know the caused of CPS and there are different symptoms it causes that are still not known. CHOCKING IS PAINFUL AND DISTURBING. I TOOK A MUSCLE RELAXANT FLEXERIL 30 minutes after a meal and it helped alot. . Drink warm water and or put a warm towel around neck. Relaxes the muscles.

[tomcamp6023]

@BVI03 . YOUR OFFICE WAS MY DOCTOR AND YOU DIDN'T HELP AT ALL.. THE DOCTOR UNDER YOU COULD NOT HELP AND NEW NOTHING ABOUT CPS. BOTOX ONLY WORKS IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PATIENCE. YOUR OFFICE GAVE UP ON MY PROBLEM AND HAD NO ANSWER. I TAKE FLEXERIL EVERY NITE AND IT MANAGED NO THANKS TO YOUR OFFICE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM SWALLOWING. IF YOU HAVE A FEELING OF A GOLF BALL. THAT HURTS. AND IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. YOU DOCTOR BASTIAN HAVE NEVER HAD CPS SO YOU WOULD NOT KNOW HOW IT FEELS. YOU WASTED MY TIME.

[ajhrockerboy6]

@BVI03 will this problem kill a person? because i think i have it too.

[mkk816]

Thank you so much for this informational video! I have been suffering with these symptoms for over a year and you are the first person who has an actual name for it. Most doctores have lead me to believe I am nuts and imagining this. Do you know any doctors in the Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach area that have any experience with this? Do I see an ENT, Gastro or Otolaryngologist? Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

[ceasey0xoogurl]

My mom was struggling with this for about a year; right about the time she was getting results back from various doctors of nothing being wrong, we came across this video. it miraculously went away after we saw this video and she got the results back of nothing wrong. unfortunately, the feeling is now back in my mom, after about 4 months of it being away. she just had knee surgery and has been having problems with dealing with problems in the family. i KNOW its back because shes anxious!

[irvingmetzman1]

It hurts me when I swallow!!!!

[Lamont2086]

if you have a answer for me please e-mail me. Lamont2086@msn.com

am I theonly person in the world with this problem I had this sense 2001

[Lamont2086]

Hello my Nme is Lamont Harris, I have this kind of problem too, my throat closes up and I have to stick my finger down my throat to make myself gag and volmit. I also suffer from acid reflux. everything I eat makes me have a spasm in my throat. I cat eat hotdogs, ground meat, I can't enjoy a meal without bringing it back up. even sitting in a chair is diffitcult and I have to sleep sitting up on a 36 degree angle. I had endoscope, ct scan and M.R.I done and no one can tell me whats wrong. help

[Gothkid15]

I have had my tonsils removed at the age of seven. About a year later, my grandmother took me off my ADHD medication and put me on a high herb pill supplement diet. Over the last few years, while either eating hot dogs or swallowing pills, I either can't swallow the pill or get choked. I am led to believe that it is caused by stress. And I know sometimes at night I feel like I have a lump in my throat where I can't go to sleep at all hardly.

[995599100]

can something be done to get rid of these symptons.... have been suffering for almost 2 years

[motofal]

I have experienced these exact symptoms for years now and cannot believe I have finally come across this! I knew it is what I get when you mentioned eating relieves the irritation. It has caused me days off work due to lack of sleep because of the irritation in the throat! Thank you!!!!

[fastfortress]

I have the lumping sensation but it dosn't really hurt, it annoys the crap out of me and plus, i dont know if this is a symptom, but whenever I swallow the lump seems to go up then down as if it is gliding on the back of my throat.

[hervogue]

@fastfortress I have the same symptoms, then they just come back. :\

[benjitrix]

im really hoping you can reply to this. I have had this feeling for a VERY long time, about 8 months now. It wont go away. It gets worse at night. Ive been to a throat doc. and he didnt know what it was. He wants to put a camera down my throat.. do you think thats a good idea? i do have heartburn often.. food gets kinda stuck in my throat once in a while. Also when i swallow my spit i have a gurgling noise that comes up my throat.. is that normal? please reply if u can, thanks so much.

[gillsoriano]

It really transmit a lot of calm and relaxation to hear this Dr. I've being with a lot of doctors and specialists and none of them have been able to tell me exactly what I have, and this explanation really matches with all my sympthoms.

Thanks for leting us know.

[arfx3]

I've had this for about 4 months now and it started about 3 weeks after I had surgery. I've also been diagnosed with reflux and havent felt any relief with the nexium and prilosec. Dr. Bastian, given that I havent had this for several years and only several months would I be more likely to permanently resolve this with a more proper diagnosis? Do you believe that reflux is over diagnosed when lump in the throat and throat tightness are the main complaints?

[ikillnerds23]

Dr Bastian, im a 13 year old cancer patient and i have this sort of  lump in my throat and i gag and wretch whenever i swallow, could this be down too chemotherapy or just what the video is about ps: it always comes after chemo

[MrMikeAsher]

DR Bastian ,an ENT surg. diagnosed me as having Crico. Spasm, but my symptoms more match Crico. Dysfunction , can you comment?

It took me ages for a diag, the first ENT surg. I saw for this said I had nothing wrong . A few months later I inhaled food into my airway and thought my time had come. I then visited a second ENT surgeon who recognised the symptoms immediatly. The episode of choking had a massive Physcological impact and I'm still afftected by fear of choking 3 years later.

[MystickalMagick]

I ended up going into A & E lastnight because this "thing" in my throat i'd had for 4 days suddenly got worst driving to work and it felt it was moving up into my mouth! Aftter a bit of poking around my neck (i've no pain) and confirming that i have white flaking on my Left Tonsil, i was given Amoxicillin and told i probably don't have anything in my throat it's more than likey Globus . But it feels like it;s moving! it's horrible!

[cassyyxo]

yeah, i think it's the muscles that make it feel like that. this is my second day having that "lump in throat feeling". i hate this feeling. :( if this lasts for a long time, i think i may commit suicide because i cannot handle this! i'm only 16! :( i keep crying and it makes it worse so i'm trying to stay calm and not think about it.

[xspilix]

@cassyyxo Remember that you can still breathe...i've found that coffee, or hot drinks, can help relax this feeling a bit. Also soup is a great choice if you can get it down well.

[markfrommaine]

@cassyyxo buck up! Two whole days and you are ready to check out? You need to volunteer at a hospital to gain some perspective. Im not trying to be insensitive, but holy cows!

[moe761]

from far away i thought it was dr. drew from loveline

[bubbalouie1994]

Update for peolpe: This helps me but idk if it will for others. All i have to do is keep my mind off it or do something and it goes away

[bubbalouie1994]

Yea i had this since i was little. It kinda went away. But came back when i was eatting food and it felt like something was stuck. Its worst now then when i was little. It gets worst when i think about it, but like right now its fine. kinda dumb that some people get this

[stevescissors]

I have this feeling for a year and two months and it hasn't gone away yet. I've been to two ENT Docotors and Lyrangologist. I was told it is from acid reflux. I was put on Nexium two times a day for six months. It has not helped. I've had two endoscopes put down my throat, i had a scan of my throat and a Esophogram. All came back normal. I'm not sure why any Doctor can find out what is wrong with me. I get the feeling also like my throat is closing. It's a terrible feeling.

[BVI03]

You need a definitive dx first--usually mostly comes from detailed history of the problem. Keep looking for a doctor who can give you confidence in whatever dx and then treatment.

[xspilix]

@stevescissors I've had this exact same feeling..for maybe 4 or 5 months now, it's not a constant though. But yes, it is quite awful. I often find myself pushing or lightly grabbing at my throat. I really don't know what to do about it either. There's been times where I'd try to swallow my own saliva and either i just barely got it down, or i couldn't and i'd cough or a sharp pain would run through my entire throat. It's awfully scary.

[stevescissors]

@xspilix The feeling i have it tightness, like something pushing under the adam's apple. It could last an hour, then just disappear the rest of the day or it could be on and off all day. It is not almost going on three years that i have this problem. I gave up, i now know it's not going to kill me and i will get relief at times. I dont panic as much anymore, at times i do feel its hard for me to breathe when this is going on. Good luck to you.

[tomcamp6023]

@stevescissors . Try a muscle relaxant after eating . FLEXERIL 10 mg. Dont let the doctor try and tell you about acid reflux. They make billions off that poison. Try what I said and have your Upper splinctor muscle tested for hyperactive upper splinctor.

[HrapovikPlush]

@tomcamp6023 What is hyperactive upper sphincter? I never heard of it. A lot of people have lump in throat because of acid reflux which is called silent reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[masterpervy567]

Lump in throat may also mean you need ear clean. This worked for me.

I cleaned my ears with Hydrogen peroxide put a few drops on each ear tilt head hold for say 30 seconds on each side then let the stuff come out your ears.

I will now clean ears this way 3 times a week. Gargling with salt water helps but short relief . Dont drink very cold drinks or Hot Drinks. This can also be caused by Anxiety Attacks.

[Vacancy333]

How do you treat cricopharyngeal spasm? I heard some doctors recommending valium.  What else can you do?

In advance, thank you very much if I get a response

[BVI03]

Please see reply to MultiWorldTour below. Sorry I can only reply from time to time due to time constraints. All the best.

[MultiWorldTour]

Dr. Bastian, in your CPD video you explained various cures for cricopharyngeal dysfunction, such as laser surgery.

However, what are some of the options for curing cricopharyngeal spasm? I know you can't reply in detail, but I would greatly appreciate a quick response for some of the options, since my current physicians haven't given me any options. Thank you.

[BVI03]

Reassurance is primary and often all that is needed. Until a clear dx is made, sufferers are understandably extremely worried. It can preoccupy to the point of becoming a focus of one's life. A clear and convincing dx by your doctor can be all that is needed. Valium family drugs are only useful IMO in those very worried, to further verify the muscle origin of the disorder and additionally convince them. Otherwise, very occasionally, physical therapy by PT or Speech Pathologist.

[Puzzl3z]

I have this lump feeling, like my throat is extremely tight or closing up. It is by far the worst feeling I've had in my life, hands down.

I have also noticed weight training increases this sensation significantly. Out of curiosity, I am asking fellow suffers to try lifting weights to see if the sensation worsens. For me it does, so I am just curious if it would for others.

By the way, Doctor Bastian, how do you cure this horrific disorder? Please reply, thank you.

[BVI03]

Again, sorry I cannot reply in detail to each posting. The idea here is to give you a name that you can discuss with your personal physician. Have not noted a lot of people having increased symptoms with weight training, but this is not inconsistent, in that effort/ strain in muscle often "migrates or recruits" surrounding muscles. Hope this helps.

[PAULLONDEN]

I had it 6 years ago, it went away bit by bit,

It helped when you wear a small belt loosly around the neck,that lessens the sensation that there is something there.You have that feeling but you can't atribute it to something,when you wear something around your throat you can at least atribute it to that belt.

Sadly it came back 6 months ago,it's INDEED a misery, some doctors atribute it to disturbed emotions,wrong body posture,etc. It helps when you do things that detract attention to it.

[PAULLONDEN]

It's important that you do things that make you relaxed,don't put things in your head about possible throat cancer, you get in a fear and stress spiral.Just accept it the best you can, try to live with it and have TRUST that it eventualy will go away again. as in your case ,about weight training ,it's a coincidence that it came back in a big way with me ,after I started doing press ups.

Oh whell....life sucks sometimes.

[CURLSTHEDUCK]

@Puzzl3z Hi...I am having the same sensation. My throat feels very constricted. I also have gerd. And to answer your question, YES I also feel the sensation increases with lifting weights. Are you cured yet? I see that this was posted a year ago. I hope you are, and if so, how did you cure it? Thanks

[ilikeyoutub07]

I've had this strong sensation for like 4 hours now... its reallystrong.. like a hige piece of food stuck down my throat or a ball.. do u guys feel same way?

[ilikeyoutub07]

I heard that not drinkin cold or hot drinks will help with the lump sensation.

[scidamenge]

I hope my comment was helpful to some fellow sufferers. Sometimes though I feel like I drink gallons of water but mouth is still very dry. I use lozenges to help. I am praying it's not the kidneys.

[scidamenge]

Hi I have had a problem like this for about 10 years. I had a ct-scan and scopes put into my throat several times by different doctors but nothing abnormal was found. I also sometimes get pills and certain food lodged in this area and it is very difficult to get out when it happens. I have found a technique though that helps with water. Can you please help me? Do you get food and pills lodged in this part of the neck if you have this problem? Thank you. I do not know what to do anymore!

[BVI03]

Sorry I cannot reply to all comments. Note that lodgement is NOT a feature of CPS. Please refer instead to CPD video. CPD includes swallowing difficulty; CPS causes sensation of swallowing difficulty, but eating actually diminishes or temporarily abolishes the feeling of a lump in the throat. Again, compare video on cricopharyngeus spasm with my other video on cricopharyngeus dysfunction. Two different disorders involving same muscle. Hope it helps!

[metalfloatable]

Dr. Bastian, if eating temporarily abolishes this feeling, then what is the long term cure or treatment for cricopharyngeus spasm?

[scidamenge]

Thank you for your reply. It's ironic after I first saw this video the very next day was the first time in my life I actually felt like it was the size of a golfball in my throat. I don't know why but for some strange reason lately my mouth has been extremely dry especially from the heating system in my cold apartment. I noticed that if you have a decent amount of saliva at all times in the mouth then it will reduce this sensation.

[cttballer23]

I have had this for 7 months now. It also causes back tightness in my upper back and I have had numerous test done - all negative. I am not under stress but would like to know how to get rid of this. Is muscle relaxants or botos the only solution?

[oakchar]

Dr Bastian, My ENT claims, through barium swallow, that I do not have a spasm or any other abnormality in my throat area. Yet I have had the lump in the throat or "globus" sensation for six months now since being strangled in a violent crime attack. Sadly the ENT offered no treatment. The other sad things are the web sites that say the symptoms go away on their own then you read bloggers who say they have suffered with these symptoms...for years!

[Sitara357]

this really helped alot

[Jeff2X8]

I have been getting this problem for over three months. I had an x-ray done on my throat, and the doctor found nothing. He said I should take pain killers. I notice that the pain in my throat has come back and recently had a egd exam. I don't know how I got this, but it is affecting me greatly. I will tell my doctor about this. I hope there is a cure!

[babyboo604]

Would this make you feel bloated?

[oakchar]

Thanks Doc for the video. I have read everything on the internet about globus sensation (lump in the throat) and its perceived causes. But NOT ONCE have I read anything related to what caused my symptoms, STRANGULATION (due to violent crime). Everything is fine except for the lump in the throat sensation you describe in your video. And no, I'm not suffering from anxiety. This must be due to actual physical stress or damage due to what happened to me 2 months ago. Any answers?

[Bigstick93]

how do i get rid of this???

[wrestlewithgod]

So, now it's Friday night, and I'm not sure what to do. I have work this Monday. Don't know where to go or what. I'm pretty scared, though I'm trying to be optimistic. I've been trying to just eat alot of soup rather than solids. I hope you may give me some feed back, and recommend me to a doctor in this field in or around the Houston area in Texas. I would greatly appreciate the help. Many thanks.

[BVI03]

Sorry, but I am unable to reply to individual posts. Your best bet from something acute like this is to see your own primary care doctor.

[wrestlewithgod]

Later on that day,

I felt like I had this thing lodged in my throat. Which just caused me to have an anxiety attack and even made it harder for me to swallow. I went to work up until the Thursday, where I clocked out an hour early. I felt like my body was just to out of it. Went to the doctor at about 7pm, finally was seen at around 3am. He told me that he saw no physical damage, and said it was just anxiety of the what had happened on Monday. He recommended for me to see a psychiatrist.

[wrestlewithgod]

This puts some worry aside, I went to the doctor this passing Thursday. It began on Monday after work. I work from 7am to 6pm, assembly line in a over heated place. We still have big industrial fans though. Back to the point. After work, I was pretty over heated and placed a mint flavored gum in my mouth. The rush of mind went through my swallowing/wind pipe, cause me to choke. After wards, I felt unable to swallow properly, and I felt as if my mouth was extremely dry.

[icemint]

hi, I do identify with the symptoms except I have one more. is feeling like you have difficulty breathing also a symptom of cricopharyngeus spasm?

[Rawlinson18]

Thank you, i thought that it was terminal as well. Thanks, oh my god I thought everything. I even planned my funeral.

[BVI03]

Thank you for your feedback. Dr. Bastian says many people experience great anxiety about this until they find out what it is. Of course, you should be evaluated by your own physician, and not let a web video be the final word on this matter for you.

[Rawlinson18]

It's gone now, thanks. A horrible thing to live with , my symptoms lasted for three months.

[mikeFTW100]

@Rawlinson18

i know this was a year ago haha, but how did they go away, just randomly?

[LaiYouttitham]

Thank you Dr. Robert Bastian, I can go to sleep peacefully now, I was thinking that I had throat cancer but I still have to go see my doctor though.

[songwryter111]

hi,how would this problem cause normally low blood pressure to shoot up and also head rushes.I thought my carotid artery got damaged a while back from being repeatedly choked by a bad person and also I used a rife machine I touched somewhere on my neck that set my head on fire. for a second felt like shock therapy my depression was actually better after that which is kind of funny

I had a myoclonic seizure at work when I was angry last week. never had one before.

[marketus07]

I think I have that! can you help me!