Swallowing

Anyone ever had a hard time swallowing or feeling the urge to continually swallow and not really be able to...this is something new...I've never had this symptom before but its starting to scare me a little....i hate this anxiety...hate it hate it hate it!!!!

[liv4now25]

Yep, I know what you're talking about.  Sometimes it feels like my throat freezes as well and I feel like I can't swallow.  Then I panic.  When I first started with the panic, I remember feeling something at the back of my throat.  It bothered me so much that I took a flashlight to my throat and realized it was my large uvula!  

Try not to focus on your throat or swallowing.  The more you focus on it, the more aware of it you become and thus starts the cycle.  Easier said, than done, I know.  

[sunset555]

Hi there, yes I can relate to what you are now going through, but you know the story that the more time you give this and the more you dwell and focus in on it, it's only going to get worse, I'm afraid. So the next time you get it, take in a nice deep slow breath, hold it for at least 3-5 seconds, then just let it out, do this about five times at least and see if it will loosen out your throat area - I will be very surprised if it doesn't.

I used to get something simular, and also I used to actually get a horrible pain in the throat area, as if someone had a hold around my neck, not a nice feeling, but believe me it is "NOT DANGEROUS", it is "NOT" going to do you any harm, so just bare that in mind, and hopefully at least that alone might be able to give you a piece of mind at least.

Also try some honey and lemon drink, this can be so soothing for your throat area, and if all else fails you could always have your throat chakras cleansed - if you are into that type of stuff that is!!

Let me know how you go, and take care.

Sunset.

[fuzzy882]

I know if you go back through the thread's you will find that a few other people have had the same problem. It's not uncommon for people with anxiety to have these symptom's.  There is a name for it, Globus Hystericus. Look it up on line.

[CaliGirl48]

Ok thanks so much for the info... something new today also....i have a dull pain under my left rib cage...and the very bottom...kinda like the pain you get when you have a sore back.....i'm sure its more anxiety...kinda makes me mad cause i had all of my usual symtoms (symptoms) all in check....so of course its about time for some new ones to surface just to ruin my happy life.....ugh =(

thanks for the support everyone...i always feel better when im here

~Crystal

[JSGeare]

Oh, so sorry -you didn't get the memo about the swallowing? Let me make sure you're on the list...

Yeah, like fuzzy sez, there's even a NAME for this: Global Hysteria -or  something like that...

All kidding aside, I know what you're talking about, sitting there at the Outback, a lump of beef and mashed potatoes in the back of your mouth, the swallow reflex kicking in over and over -and- nuthin's happening here!

Gawd, how I hated that.

But, I can tell you this, you veteran of the Panic Wars, you, if you GET to the causes of all this (read my lips: therapy) it goes away. OK, I'll admit, under extreme circumstances -it might come back a little -but just a little- and you'll know why and in about the time you figure THAT out -down the hatch!

Really.

I've got your back -we ALL do -as always.

-S

[CaliGirl48]

I was hoping you would just snap your fingers for me and it would all just go away =( You havent got that one down yet??? You really need to work on that for me..

I'm so sad with myself, I really thought I had this all beat. I even got through one of lifes biggest stresses...my wedding. I had been feeling great for months =( Now its like ..hear we flippin go again...why me???

=(

[gentle51]

Yes, Mam I get that swallowing problem while sitting in the Dentist chair. My body has a REAL anxiety  problem while at the dentist. I keep doing self talk that I am going to be fine and ask the Dentist to give me a break for 2 minutes to recoup.

I really know what you mean.
Take Care and Peace

[Raine9]

From Mayoclinic.com...

"Lump in your throat (globus). Some people feel the sensation of a foreign body or lump in their throats when, in reality, no foreign body or lump exists. Stress or excitement may worsen this sensation. Oftentimes, resolving the stress alleviates the problem. Actual difficulty swallowing usually isn't present."


I also know this from personal experience.  I had it for 3 months straight about 1 1/2 years ago and still get it off and on.  

About the dull pain under your left rib cage, I had that too a few weeks ago.  It was under my right rib cage.  Went to the doc and it turned out to be a pulled muscle.  

All the best to you

[be still my beating heart 13]

I've gotten the lump in the throat thing since childhood at times of great emotional upset, but it never "set in" for hours/days until I developed anxiety.  This particular symptom came and went with no rhyme or reason and evoloved over the last few years, as it moved lower down into my esophogus and I felt a tight little ball in there every time I swallowed, located about one inch below the top of my sternum.  When this would happen it felt as if I needed to reapeatedly swallow to attempt to clear a blockage or something.  It never budged, and only resulted in excessing burping.  I resolved my health anxiety, and the problem disappeared.

Hope you feel better today!

Cori

[CaliGirl48]

Health anxiety? Ive heard that term used before but was never sure what it meant. Does that mean your anxiety was a result of your fears about your health, dying etc?

Cause that is for sure where mine comes from. Which only leads me to believe that this whole anxiety mess roots from me being overweight. I'm not obese, but enough over my normal weight where I fear things like heart attacks, diabetes, etc. And ultimately dieing before my kids are grown. I have to say that is my biggest fear.

Look at that, I think I may have just found the root and reason why this all started..nice =)

Thanks fr that post Cori

Crystal

[be still my beating heart 13]

Glad to hear that my responce was of help to you :-P  From what I understand, health anxiety is just that...anxiety about your current/future health status.  Like you, my anxiety is mostly health related, and while our "triggers" are different (yours being health problems related to being overweight, mine being a possible inherited heart rhythm irregularity), we like many other anxiety people worry obsessively about our health.  Some people develop anixety disorders because of issues other than health concerns, but end up obsessing over the resulting symptoms and therefore develop health anxiety as well.  The long and short of it...most people here on the forum with anxiety disorders are experiencing some form of health anxiety (worrying that what they feel really isn't anxiety but some disease or disorder) whether their intial anxiety was induced by health worries or some other emotional upset.  Hope that made sense ;-)  And I so know what you mean about worrying about dying before your kids are grown!  It was the biggest stumbling block I had to get over before I could get a handle on my health anxiety!  I would love to chat with you about it, if you're interested, just send a PM.

Hope you felt well today!

Cori

[MrGreen]

Hey such a thing landed me a month long stay in the pych hospital because I gave up eating. But it can be beating with a little bit of medication and lot of determination from yourself. The meds just relaxed me. The want to swallow again I had to have. Never give up. Just keep pushing yourself. No matter how hard / bad it might get. It can be beaten. We may be worlds apart with our problems. But the answer is the same. Wanting to fight back. Not wanting to let it beat us. Don't give up ever. Keep up the fight.