Help needed with diagnosis of throat difficulties

[emc]

I am in my 40's and have been having difficulty with swallowing and a feeling of fullness in my throat for 4 months. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason when this occurs.This does not happen only when eating. The onset was a couple of rounds with dysphagia (choking episodes), though earlier I had been told I had pharyngitis. I have lost a significant amount of weight, under other circumstances this might be a good thing. I have Graves' disease so there is some question of an autoimmune disorder. I've been to my endocrinologist, an ENT, rheumatologist,gastroenterologist and have had bloodwork (I am anemic) but other workups have been negative (barium swallows, endoscopy) I am on prevacid and most recently prednisone. Anyone have similiar problems? Any suggestions of where to go from here? Thanks!

[Sheen]

Let's research this together.  I came to this board to try and find an answer for my grandfather, who seems to be having some of the same symptoms as you are.  He has been to several specialists, had ultrasound done, nothing can be found.  He described to me today that he feels as though there is something in his throat all the time, if he touches his throat, it feels as though he's being pricked by stickers or needles, he has really bad coughing spells, more so at night in bed and has trouble swallowing.

If you find out anything, please let me know.  I will continue to research this until I find an answer.  I will let you know should I uncover this great mystery.

Sheena

[taker]

Im only 23 years old.. for the past 4 months i have what feels like a KNOT! in my throat.. it gets tight also i cant swallow very well.. I constantly feel my throat i have had Blood tests and urine test also ultrasound..Im always tired and slugesh. Im loosin weight also. My doctor sayed to me its reflux. Its been a Month now on LOSEC and still nothin???????? I WOULD LOVE SOME ANSWERS.. If it is reflux how long till it will get better..

[emc]

I'd be happy to continue to research. I've eliminated some possibilities, but seem to keep coming back to Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Not a whole lot of information that I've been able to find - definitely not a simple answer -everyone's symptoms seem to vary. When I had the modified barium swallow the speech pathologist seemed to feel it was globus sensation which is often caused by stress. Because of what I've read and know about myself I feel strongly that gs is not the cause of my problems, something physical is happening. The other doctors seem to agree with me.  Hang in there!

[maryabr]

I had these same syptoms (symptoms) for 15 months and after numerous misdiagnoses, I am finally getting help. Let me briefly tell you my symptoms and the outcome. It could help you all. In May of 2000, I started with the symptom of feeling like "something was stuck in my throat." Accompanying that was halitosis and at times a lot of mucus in the back of the throat. I was tested for Mono, treated for thrush, then allergies, then silent reflux, and bacterial infection. I went through upper GI series, CAT scans, etc. I saw general practitioners, ear nose and throat (ENT) doctors, gastroenterologists, and allergists. What a mess! No one could figure it out. I was referred from one specialist to another. After about a year and hundreds of dollars in deductibles and copays, my gastroenterologist finally admitted it may not be reflux or GERD because I'd never had heartburn before and wasn't responding at all to the Prilosec. So he referred me to another allergy specialist to have a full workup done. That specialist took one look in my mouth, and made a discovery even the ENT hadn't: I had cryptic tonsils (holes all over the tonsils). He recommended I see another ENT. I went to the new ENT, and was immediately dianosed as having something as simple as chronic tonsillitis. It was so easy, everyone missed it. I didn't respond to antibiotics, so next week I'm having them out. Can you believe such a little thing could cause so much trouble and be so easily  missed? I hope this helps someone. I hate to think of the hours I spent on line trying to find something, anything, that would help me find out what was going on. The doctors were starting to disbelieve me and one even said maybe I needed to get used to that feeling! UGH!!!

[taker]

QUOTE!!! I had cryptic tonsils (holes all over the tonsils).QUOTE


That to bad i have my TONSILEs out for years??? cant be the same thing

[emc]

Thanks for your comment! I'm glad someone figured out your problem. I hope all goes well. I will take note for myself. It is so frustrating to spend so much time looking for answers! Best wishes!