Globus Sensation for 2 Years - No Hope
Posted , 12 users are following.
Throat Story
As I sit here and write this out, I feel a complete and utter loss of hope. This is probably the lowest I’ve ever felt in my life. Two years ago I felt the sensation in my throat for the first time. I would soon realize the medical term of my sensation “Globus Pharyngis” or the feeling of having a lump or something stuck in the throat. This issue has caused everything from severe panic attacks to not wanting to go hiking/camping which are some of my favorite hobbies. For two years, I’ve been living life as some one other than myself. I’m so lost at this point and have no idea of what steps I can even take to continue looking for an answer.
For some background, I only experience the sensation on one (left) side of my throat. The actual location of said sensation is best described as being at the far back base of my tongue and the back of the throat. The feeling can fluctuate slightly up or down in my throat. On a normal day it can vary between a slight annoyance to feeling like my throat is slowly closing off. I’ve been to so many ENT appointments I can’t keep track anymore. I’ve had the following procedures done:
- Nasal Endoscopy- Multiple Times
- Results: Normal
- X-Ray of Neck
- Results: Normal
- Upper Endoscopy
- Results: Airway opens slightly when I breathe, otherwise normal
- X-Ray of Sinuses
- Results: Normal
- Allergy Testing
- Results: Some mild allergies to outdoor plants, cats, but nothing abnormal
In addition to these procedures, I’ve tried treatment for a various number of things:
- Acid Reflux Medications - Omeprazole, Ranitidine, Tums, Some Kind of Liquid Reflux Medicine that’s Supposed to Line the Throat
- Results: Nothing
- Sinus Rinses - Multiple Prescription Rinses, Saline Rinses, OTC Rinses
- Results: Nothing
- Diets - Low Acidity Diet, No Caffeine Diet, No Gluten Diet
- Results: Nothing
The only things that I’ve noticed that potentially cause an increase in the Globus sensation is drinking coffee or alcohol. However, this isn’t true every single time. I could drink coffee 20 times in a row and one of those times “might” lead to an increase in the sensation. So I can’t say with any certainty that there is a direct relationship between these foods and the sensation.
One other random tidbit to point out, I have been having some random Rheumatologic symptoms in addition to my Globus problem. For example, pains in pinpoint areas on arms and legs, mild sleep apnea, brain fog, etc. Not sure that this stuff is linked to my Globus sensation at all, but figured I would include as a bullet point.
At this point, I truly feel that the ENT has written me off as an annoyance because they see nothing “clinically” wrong. While I’m thankful nothing appears to be serious, the actual impact this has had on my every day life has been massive. As mentioned earlier things such as camping or hiking now give me anxiety as I don’t know how my throat will respond while out doing activities. I understand a lot of people will think this is solely due to anxiety; however, the Globus sensation has always been the pre-cursor to my anxiety. I also will get the sensation simply watching a movie at home with no anxiety whatsoever.
I don’t expect anyone to really read all this which is completely understandable. I think for me it just helps getting my thoughts down in writing. If you’ve made it this far thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Any kind of advice or guidance would be so greatly appreciated.
Brandon
0 likes, 10 replies
chris63817 Brandon888
Edited
hi Brandon
i have had these sympyoms for a couple of months , i have been beside myswlf with worry thinking the worst all the time, woth the pandemic i cant even get an appointment at my doctors and over the phone thwy have put it down to anxiety , ive had a rough couple of years so very well could be down to that , my dr is convinved and ive kind of diagnosed myself , reading all these posts have made me think even more its that
its horeible undescribable and the worst feeling , praying it goes very soon
Brandon888 chris63817
Posted
Hey Chris, thanks for your response. I hope things are going well. Its very frustrating to have specialists just write it off as anxiety. People get anxiety over things on a daily basis but they aren't all getting put in the anxiety bucket. I've had one more scope of my throat (told myself it was the last one no matter what) and they said there is some inflammation in my throat. They're having me try the nasal spray, reflux route one more time for a couple months to see what happens. I'll provide an update if any positive results come out of it. Let me know if you have any successes. Thanks again for sharing, just happy to know I'm not the only one on this journey.
-Brandon
mes2020 Brandon888
Posted
hi Brandon, although i have no recommendations i just wanted to reach out and say you are not alone! i have been having the exact same symptoms for almost 2 years now also and after countless visits to my GP, ENT and gastroenterologist they have still said it is nothing and just globus sensation. although i am grateful it is nothing more sinister i am still at a point where i have no idea what to do and it is slowly driving me crazy. I have started seeing a psychologist however that still hasnt helped. please let me know how you go as i would love to hear some advice if your symptoms improve.
Brandon888 mes2020
Posted
Hey Mes, hope all is well. I appreciate you sharing your story. Trust me I know how you feel ha, I've actually started up front when I go to doctor visits with "this is not anxiety" just to get that out of the way. I'm trying one more round of intense nasal sprays, reflux medication and such. Apparently I do have "some" inflammation in my throat based on my recent nasal/throat scope. I'll keep you posted if any successes come of it. Yes please let me know if you have any luck on your end. Definitely re-assuring to know I'm not the only one going through this.
-Brandon
frederic66643 Brandon888
Edited
Hello Brandon,
I have read your story with a lot of interest since I recognize a lot of the things you are telling. Already since one year now I have the feeling sometimes that there is something stuck in my throat which makes that I swallow a lot. This results in excessive saliva and also sometimes in a very dry mouth/throath/lips, is this recognizable for you? I visited already many doctors however only recently the diagnose 'globus sensation' was made.
I have been reading a lot about it the last weeks and was also very surprised to read that anxiety is one of the reasons to have this sensation. However the anxiety for me is the result of this globus sensation, and not the other way around. I am not an anxious person, but this globus feeling makes me anxious.
I have visited a speech therapist a couple of times the last weeks, but I didn't see a lot of improvement. Normally I had an appointment with an osteopath this week, since i have some muscle pain around my chest, however due to covid this appointment was postponed.
In the meantime, were you able to solve your situation?
Best regards
louise62050 Brandon888
Posted
ive been having the same symptoms for over 2 months now and its honestly making my life hell. im a 23 year old and i feel like my lifes over and the thought it could last for years honestly terrifies me. how are you getting on i hope youve got better.
lola99834 louise62050
Posted
hello
this feeling is a nightmare
are you better ?
thanks
robert83565 Brandon888
Posted
I would write out a very long response but I'm experiencing everything you wrote down to a tea. Even the whole "only on one side" type thing and how caffeine makes it worse. I have been suffering from this for 15 years now. I was wondering if you ever figure out what it was , how you are doing with it (has it gotten any better?)
I just started taking Amitryptaline and Omeprazole, I have noticed improvement with the Amitryptaline within just 2 weeks and its supposed to really kickin at 4 weeks+ so you should look into it. I did alot of research on it and it seems to be almost a cure (not fully but it helps alot). There is another drug as well that helps even more that i'm gonna try down the line I forgot the name of it though!
adn12079 robert83565
Posted
I take Gabapentin for it. Is that the name of the other medication you were looking for?
James_Hello Brandon888
Edited
Hi, I have also suffered from Globus for about a year now. I would like to offer some more things to try, because it is better not to give up.
Have you tried doing neck exercises? Basically, with your mouth closed, lift your head back as far as you can until you feel the front of your neck stretching for about 30 seconds. Then repeat this to the left side and to the right side for 30 seconds each. Do it 2-3 times daily and it can give some relief in my experience.
Furthermore, have you tried some OTC antihistamine medications. Cetirizine helps reduce the feeling for me by about 50%. This is called Zyrtec in USA.
Also try gargling some apple cider vinegar after meals. Can help get rid of phlegm and mucus which cause the globus feeling.
Hope this helps!