globus hystericas?

26 male. Anxiety sufferer. Just a brief catch up to those who know nothing about my ordeal.
About a month ago or more I started suffering from anxiety... I got IBS symptoms from it... then about 2 and a half weeks ago I started getting a tight throat and VERY sensitive gag reflex. I coughed one night in bed and gagged twice! It was terrible. I finally went to the Dr., and he said it was all anxiety related.

I've been doing pretty good with the tight throat feeling the past week... or so... chewing gum helps some... and stretching my neck back helps.

But today it started getting bad again... and I almost gagged.... so I took 2 ativan.... and it went away!

So this has to give me peace of mind that this is all psychological. Right? From anxiety?

If there was something really wrong with my throat... then ativan wouldnt make it stop from feeling tight... or stop my gag reflex.

So it HAS to be globus hystericas... although I don't feel like there is a lump in the throat... it just feels TIGHT.... and sometimes so tight my gag reflex gets bad!

I'm seeing a new therapist at the moment. And I have high hopes I can get over this terrible anxiety symptom. I've read about people having that feeling for 5 years or more. Yuck. I guess they just get used to it? lol.

So my question is... do you think there is a good chance I can get rid of this feeling without taking ativan?
The feeling is stronger when times are more stressful. Or even after a hard run. But I think my throat always feels tight natually after a good run.

But anyways... you think it could go away? My IBS symptoms have been getting much better! But my appetite has still been low. Still making myself eat though.

Thanks for listening.

[cj29]

In my opinion, it is quite possible.   You know it is anxiety related and therefore can confront it and beat it, in my opinion.  For me, when I was going through this, I remember when I would finally get over one symptom and move onto the next one that would bother me.  I agree with the fact that you are going through therapy...remember, it can be a long hard slog to get through, but try to focus on the long term gains and not the short term setbacks.  

[cnote]

Did you used to have this symptom too? Globus hystericas? How long did you have it for?

[Chrissy1972]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the way to go for treatment without medication. It teaches you how to relax and retrain thoughts and behaviors you have been used to that obviously have not been working for you. I am in week 3 and am loving my therapist. Finally feel hopeful, seeing someone who doesnt want to just feed me  meds!!!

Good luck to you!

[cj29]

Agreed...CBT is a great way to confront this.  Just remember to apply what you learned.  Having a 'lump in the throat' is a classic sign of anxiety in my opinion.  It really depends what you focus on in my experience.  When I was concerned about my health and it was one particular symptom I was worried about, I would tend to focus in on that part of my body and naturally all sorts of symptoms related to it would arise.

CBT helped TREMENDOUSLY for me.  You learn to accept the anxiety, confront it, and ultimately deal/beat/live with it.  Along the way, you learn so much more about yourself and this pattern of thinking....just keep working through this.

[jdb7560]

I have had similar symptoms. Have you ever gotten an upper endoscopy? It is a simple procedure that could help shed some light on your situation. I am not a fan of doctors who make a diagnosis of anxiety without thorough medical testing. I was told for months my chest pain, tightness, and burning with odd throat sensations was "anxiety" after some tests on my heart revealed nothing beyond a "harmless" arrythmia.  It turned out to be a significant erosions on my esophagus. But of course, yeah, I had anxiety. I think anyone with unexplained chest discomfort would.

[cnote]

yeah i hope the combo of the meds and the cbt help. my next drs appt is in 2 weeks for just an anxiety check up. if im still having this issue ill order him to do a scope.

[Throat396]

Anybody tried Magnesium for this?