Throat contractions? Trouble swallowing.

[whatisit00]

Hello. I'm under the age of 30, and I am a female. Also in the third trimester of my first pregnancy. As recent as last night I've been having a tight feeling in my chest, and a feeling of a lump in my throat. Which I assume is not actually there. It feels as though my throat has been swollen. Since I had eaten an hour before this first happened I assumed it was some sort of heartburn (Even though my heartburn is never accompanied by anything like this.), but 5 hours went by and the feeling was still there. It got a little better, and I was able to go to sleep. I woke up this morning, and attempted to drink some water but while the water was going down, and for a few seconds after words I felt as if my throat was having slight contractions. (which caused the lump feeling in my throat. Like it was closing up.)

Now I have this lump feeling in my throat again, and I'm not able to eat, or drink anything because it feels extremely uncomfortable like I'm going to choke.

Any suggestions? What could this be?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Well it could be gastric reflux or GERD. This is common in pregnancy. The other possibility is that you have tonsillitis, pharyngitis or even laryngitis. Is there an accompanying cold or change of voice.
It is difficult to comment without examining. It could be simply a larger size epiglottis. It could be lingual thyroid that is causing symptoms now.
A cervical spine disease, esophageal contractions or anxiety can all cause similar symptoms. There are many other causes too.
Hope this helps. I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
It is common such type of sumptoms in late pregnancy due to GERD.What happens is that due to the pregnant uterus the stomach is shifted upwards and so such feeling of lump in throat can be there.

Eat small nutritious meals at frequent intervals instead of a heavy single meal. Exercise frequently and take your dinner atleast 2 hrs prior to bedtime. Also raise the head end of the bed by 2 blocks. To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them, or eat chocolate or spicy or greasy foods .

Take some OTC antacid like Mylanta.You can also take zantac(ranitidine). These will help.Also keep your fluid electrolyte balance optimum by drinking lots of fluids.

If the symptoms persist then pls consult a physician.Although rare in your case but other causes of globus hystericus have to be ruled out.

I hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.