Chronic Throat Discomfort (dryness, irritation), Dysphagia.

[Reggie_1]

I've had a dry throat for about a year now, I drink a lot of water and that usually fixes it completely. In the past 6-8 weeks i've noticed a dry, raw feeling on the right side of my windpipe, from about where the collarbone is to just below the right tonsil. It started out barely noticeable, but now it's getting quite uncomfortable.

I have checked for swelling in my throat, there isn't any i can see, and it doesn't hurt when i press on any part of my neck. My teeth are very crooked but healthy and the back of my mouth is somewhat asymmetrical, the tonsils on the "bad" side are lower, the arches less prominent.

I saw a G.P. today and he shone a torch in my mouth and said it looked fine, but the symptoms indicate either "gastrointestinal reflux", or "something growing down there", and referred me to a specialist to have a proper look with a special scope. This specialist is booked out and my appointment with him is not until December. I don't think it's gastrointestinal reflux.

I called a Specialist who works out of my area and have made a booking for 2 weeks time, and am going back to the G.P tomorrow to arrange the referral.

I was a smoker for the past 4 years until i realised this symptom was chronic, and have stopped. I have also drank alcohol, though not heavily. I am 25 years of age, and in otherwise good health.

Seeing as time is paramount in determining how successful treatment will be if this is cancer, is there a way to get an earlier inspection? Can anyone tell me if it sounds like i'm in serious danger? I'm rather worried and uncertain. Thanks.

[National Jewish]

A 2-week wait may add to your anxiety, but is not long enough to affect your outcome.  Dryness of the throat can result from abnormally low salivation.  This can result from salivary gland problems.  It can also occur with normal salivation if, for any reason, a person becomes a mouth breather such as nasal obstruction.  It is important that an ENT specialist look at your throat using a fiberoptic laryngoscope.  This is the way to know that this isn’t a more serious problem, although, at your age, the chance of this would be remote.

[Violentmousse]

I have a bit of heartburn, stuff coming up hitting the back of my throat, and I recently quit smoking. I think the dry throat is actually from the heartburn, so don't flip out. I thought since quitting smoking, the heartburn would get better, but 4.5 weeks later, nope, seems as bad.

[Smitty1005]

A related discussion, dryness in the throat was started.