suggestions on lump in throat feeling

[susan1010]

I am a 49 year old female and have never had any serious health problems. For the past 3 months, I have felt the sensation that a pill is stuck in my throat when I swallow. The location may vary as well as the intensity. Sometimes the feeling goes away for a short while, but comes back. I have no sore throat at all.I keep swallowing to try to get the feeling to go away, but it doesn't.

I went to see a local ENT doctor. He looked down my throat with a light and didn't see much. The vocal cords were fine also. He prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg 2 times daily. I took that for over two weeks and it didn't help at all. Now I am trying 40 mg of Pepcid at bedtime and 20 in the morning to reduce acid in my stomach which I hear may cause this condition. I do get occasional heartburn. Yesterday, the feeling disappeared for the day, but returned last night at my daughter's sports banquet dinner where we had fried chicken, BBQ potatoes and slaw.I had iced tea to drink.Today, I woke up with the feeling and have had it all day in the same spot on the right side of my throat.

This is so bothersome! I worry about it all day long.

Can you give me any suggestions? I was reading the website on Cricopharyngeal spasm (with a lump in the throat sensation) by Dr. James P. Thomas. My symptoms are so similar to his descriptions. What do I do now?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Next thing to consider would be a modified barium swallow to evaluate for any anatomical blockage as well as abnormalities in coordinating the transfer of food from the orophaynx to the esophagus (i.e. oropharyngeal dysphagia).  

Video fluoroscopy can be considered to visualize the swallowing mechanism.  Another approach would be an evaluation by a speech therapist - starting with the modified barium swallow.  

GERD is another possibility, however you noted that the symptoms recurred despite taking PPI's.

Treatment depends on the cause - but can include endoscopy if there is an anatomical abnormality present (i.e. esophageal stricture) or surgery if there is an inappropriate contraction of the pharyngeal muscles.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[CAmom]

You, I've had a similar feeling, and guess what, it could be stress.  What took care of it for me??  A few good massages by a professional massuese to relieve the tension.  It worked!  I know this sounds crazy and maybe it's not stress, but then again, maybe it is.
good luck

[yoshi]

you may need more than just having a light shone down your throat.
if doc cant see anything wrong with a light,why is he prescribing antibiotics??

[renee1952]

I also don't understand why he prescribed antibiotics, if he didn't see a need for them? Anti-biotics are for a bacterial infection. When Drs. automatically tell me they are giving me an antibiotic, I ask them why? You should ask for a GI referral and have an evaluation.

[lil sunshine]

I've had this in varying degrees of intensity for the last 15 yrs, maybe longer because when you are younger you tend to ignore symptoms. Anyway my Thyroid antibodies have been elevated for yrs and finally an Endo dr said I have Hashimotos. Well I showed them exactly where I felt the "lump" and it is where I have a nodule. It has grown since last summer so I will have another Ultrasound and possibly a Fine needle biopsy.
Before I was told allergies could be the cause, drainage and other things that go with allergies. My favorite though is "You are just Depressed!" I had the Endoscopicand colonoscopy at the same time and the endo tube didn't show anything. This was 5 yrs ago. I do have acid reflux problems and take 2 Prevacid a day, it really is the magic pill, I don't suffer at all.
I agree about the Anti Biotics, if no infection then WHY?
Bonnie

[yoshi]

what is the dosage on your prevacid??

[lil sunshine]

I take 30mg twice a day, once in morning and one at night. Like I said I can swear by this medication. I started out on one capsule and the ENT I saw in March upped it as I was having a little Acid every once in awhile. I can even drink Orange juice before bedtime with no problems. I drink OJ to help with my Restless Legs, the potassium in it is great!
Bonnie

[Fireblade]

I had exactly this about two years ago.  I felt a permanent lump in my throat when I tried to swallow.  I went to see a specialist who couldn't see anything but sent me for a barium meal (as they call it in Scotland)which showed acid reflux.  He explained to me that the throat muscles were going into spasm, trying to keep the acid down.  I started on Zoton 30mg which after about six months was reduced to 15mg daily.  Unless I forget to take them, I have no trouble at all anymore.  Well, not with acid anyway.!!

[FlyII]

If you have GERD then this may be what is called Globus (Globus Sensation
The feeling of a lump in the throat.)

[lil sunshine]

The Gloubus diagnosis was one they gave me until my thyroid nodules were found. I have had the barium swallow, that is one of those things I swear never toi do again, which showed mild swallowing problems. On the right side which is where the larger nodule is. I hate the thought of having another Fine needle biopsy, last time on the left side. This is another thing I swore I would never do again, not so much that it hurt but just uncomfortable afterwards.
Bonnie

[bosartig-hahnchen]

hi everyone,

like some of you guys i have a 'lump in the throat feeling' but unfortunately i don't know how to go to a doctor because my mum and step dad say there is nothing wrong with me and they always go on about the boy who cried wolf, and i don't know what to do. i always think the worst is going to happen to me, like dying, i keep thinking this lump in my throat is a cancer, and all i can obsess about is dying. im only 14 years old and it's really scaring me, i have a suspisions on having 'hysteria' or some sort of panic anxiety thingo but im not sure. i have a class were we learn all about diseases and drugs i thought that would help but im not too sure. i understand all of you guys have ways of dealing with it but i don't and i feel if i don't do something about it soon i might die or something, it's sooo depressing. i always have this feeling im going to suffocate in my sleep. i have no trouble swallowing, i don't have a sore throat. the lump i feel isn't on the outside, i can feel it when i breathe in and out, it just feels like something small is there. it feels like one of those things that if you don't do anything about it might get worse and i might suffocate, which to me, is the worse feeling ever. i was jsut curious to know if any one else here has that feeling, and if so what i should i do. i've had the thought of going to someone who specialises in mental disorders but then i read what one of you guys wrote about a nose, ear, and throat specialist. PLEASE HELP ME!!!! i don't want to die....

[Sue5012]

A related discussion, 'Cricopharyngeal spasm' was started.

[lesand]

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[rappinrodney67]

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