Hi Everyone!
I've been having a very unpleasant feeling going on with my neck, and I was wondering if anyone could relate.
A little history on me: I've been experiencing stomach soreness/heaviness/fullness for the past few months. My doctor thinks this is contributed to GERD. I do have acid reflux quite often, (although sometimes it is silent) and I'm currently on Align probiotics and 60mg of Dexilant daily. I just had a GI consult, and I'm going for an upper endoscopy/colonoscopy in a few weeks. I'm 30, about 20lbs overweight, but otherwise healthy.
I've already had a barium swallow that showed no esophageal strictures, or narrowing - and was negative for anything else stomach-wise. I've been tested for Celiac Disease, and had a food allergy panel that ruled out any reactions to milk, soy, eggs and wheat.
For the past 2 weeks or so, I've had this awful pressure on my throat. It feels like someone is actually pressing down on my trachea. When I swallow, I have this HUGE globulus sensation, and it feels really thick with mucus. I can still swallow food and drink OK, but the pressure feeling is absolutely horrible! Somtimes it feels like my soft palate is relaxing, or I'm being choked from the inside (I might not be describing this properly) I've also noticed that if I don't drink anything for a while my throat will get extremely dry. Luckily, this is not affecting my airway - and I can breathe ok when this happens, but it's still a very scary experience.
I've looked up CRICOPHARYNGEAL SPASMS, and it fits most of my symptoms exactly, except for the fact that I don't have any anxiety! I don't understand how this could be the only symptoms I'm having. I've had panic attack's in my early 20's and I know what they feel like. When I'm having my throat symptoms, I'm totally calm - that is the only issue that I'm having.
I've also read that acid can be very irritating to the throat, so I wonder if I have some form of Esophagitis. My doctor said that my throat issue is either GERD related or anxiety, and prescribed me Ativan and Xanax - both of which I'm hesitant to take, because I don't like taking any medications unless absolutely necessary, but I will try if it will provide some relief.
My symptoms are pretty much 24/7 to one degree or another. It waxes and wanes, and I can't seem to pinpoint what exacerbates this or not. I haven't been eating or drinking anything out of the ordinary, and haven't had any recent life stressors.
Has anyone had success treating this? Or has anyone found that taking a low dose anti-anxiety medication has helped with these symptoms?
I am absolutely desperate - any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated! I feel like this is starting to affect my life, and I start school in August (I'm a nursing student and finishing up my last semester) I need this to feel better NOW!
Thank you so much! I will do ANYTHING to make this feel better!