My story and how I beat globus sensation
Posted , 164 users are following.
I made a promise that if I got better I would share my story on this discussion board in the hope that I may help someone. All the posts on here were a great comfort to me when I was experiencing this awful condition.
It all happened about 8 weeks ago. I was in the theatre and just sat down to begin the show when I ate a sweet normally, took a sip of water normally and afterwards felt like I was having difficulty swallowing. My mouth went super dry and I felt like a had a lump in my throat and my tongue was enlarged (it wasn't). I thought perhaps I was having a reaction to something so before the interval I had to leave and get out of there. I felt complete terror and danger and thought I was going to die. My husband was worried and took me to A&E. I couldnt breathe properly but was not wheezing. I felt like someone was strangling me, standing on my neck and I was in a complete panic that came out of nowhere. Apparently I had a panic attack or severe anxiety episode. Well, I didnt believe this diagnosis because I had over the years suffered from anxiety on and off and bouts of low mood but even when I have faced the most difficult times in my life, never have I had a panic attack so wondered why on such a happy day I would develop this. Anyway the initial attack was only the start of my problems, I was told the symptoms of my choking sensation would go away within a few hours. It didnt. This made it worse and I was not so easily going to put this down to stress as most things seem to be these days. I went to my GP who said I did seem to have some swelling in my neck and ordered me an ultrasound. As I couldn't wait 3 weeks for the paperwork to come through I saw an ENT consultant privately who put a camera up my nose and down my throat and said everyhing looked perfect and likely to be globus sensation which is common when experiencing panic attacks and anxiety. This only gave me some comfort because I was still feeling these awful symptoms. After the 4th week I had scan and this showed nothing. My thyroid was perfect, which I suspected may be the issue due to my high thyroid antibodies, although I knew I had normal thyroid function. This was also some comfort. I was suffering, and it was really really getting me down. Having to get up every day and go to work was so hard and I was so anxious I was not sleeping or eating well. I thought I would have it forever. After a while I started to think, well this isn't going to kill me as time has proven, its not getting worse or better so I need to start trying things to see if anything helps. I also had a strange crawling sensation in my neck not on top of my skin but underneath - hard to explain. Also when I put chin to chest I felt like the part between my neck and chin was swollen. I tried breathing exercises, hot water bottles, hot baths, drinking red wine, taking NSAI's, drinking loads of water, trying to eat better, sleep better, watching funny films but nothing worked. I then found a couple of websites online suggesting a very simple neck exercise to do many times throughout the day and specifically for globus sufferers. I started to do this and over a week the symptoms started to ease and has got better and better to the point that its only 5% there. The most important part is to make sure your shoulders are always down and pushed back as far as you can. No hunched shoulders or it won't work. Then carefully, with mouth closed, ease your neck back as far as it can go, all the time looking up to the ceiling. You should be able to feel yourself stretching your neck. It may make you cough a little. Then roll your head a little to left and right and centre. It probably won't work the first go. you have to do it many times a day over a week or so.
My GP said that panic attacks can cause a lot of problems in the neck, real tension and muscles, and other structures and a horrid sensation of a lump in your neck. I have to understand now that this is the cause.
Apologies for the long post but it's a long story.
I hope it helps someone.
Good luck to you all and take care of yourselves.
x
35 likes, 1120 replies
margarete1954 chippy12
Edited
I haven't got a globulos ot when iv eaten after 5 mins I start gagging and bring up muck with tiny bits food in I gag all the time 5 months ago I had dysphagia I'm still not eating hard or lumpy food or just won't go down I'm loosing more weight x I'm looking anorexic over ostio over 2 stone gone from a gd 16 to a twelve all my skin is sagging iv no energy all the tetanus were negative in hosp the salts team said my swollow was gd but iv wasn't given lumpy food to swollow .my family are so worrI'd was deigned off ent as iv said I felt bethere but still can't swollow hard food was told I will just keep trying I have loads muck in my throat from a nasal drip x .I need help to eat properly again I'm 63 I feel 80 xx
charo88321 margarete1954
Posted
That's my same problem
I feel mucus in my throat and have a back drip
Feel good in my throat and can't eat anything hard
I've tried to make everything wet
Olive oil helps believe or not
Is just an agony every single day
terrie27149 margarete1954
Edited
ebliz chippy12
Edited
Goodluck to you then.
I wish mine had gone totally freeing me up.
Have suffered for it severely since 2006.
And I still feel it like your mentioned 5%.
I'm no more comfortable when I feel even that 5%. It makes me not to think and work towards anything once the feeling is felt.
Recently, docs advised I gargle salt hot water. And I discovered that once that is done, it relieves me for a few days.
Maybe that can help a sufferer as well.
But am interested in perfect healing.
I believe God will do it soonest.
Goodluck to us.
charo88321 ebliz
Posted
Salt and water?
I'm going to try it
I feel like I always have a back drip
And get cough
d47507 ebliz
Edited
HI - I'm new to this forum -- but I have been experience the"lump in the throat" symptom since august of last year. Finally got enough courage to go to dr yesterday - he felt around my throat and said it feels fine but suggested a CT scan "for my peace of mind". I've always suffered from anxiety but now it's through the roof - can't sleep and can barely eat - I'm 36 and have to small children so I keep imagining the worst possible scenerio. Just need some support - if anyone can give me some positive vibes I would really appreciate it.
katie16755 d47507
Posted
It does seem that a lot of people with this Globus suffer from anxiety, it's good that they are checking you out but I'm sure that you are fine, there are exercises that you can do to help and a lot of people find diet restrictions help too.
The problem with globus is you can't seem to forget about it so it adds to your anxiety.
Do you suffer from acid or indigestion?
tenzin_72900 d47507
Edited
Hello d47507,
I know how you feeling. If you take it seriously to what I say, then it will help you in a lot.
This sensation that we have is highly bothersome, however if we don't think about it, it's not there and it doesn't bother. For example, during the day time when we are engaged in activities, we don't even think about it. Where is this sensation at that time?
It's during the bed time mostly, we continuously think about it, feel about it, and cry about it.
So, think about your kids future and don't waste your time on this globus sensation. Think about your future. Spend time on useful things.
I have the feeling of it right now when I'm writing here but I can't help it. If I can't help it, I don't want to think about it. I'm going to let it go.
I heard it's the product of stress and acid regurgitation. So keep those in limit.
Good luck to you
alvrad127 chippy12
Edited
Firstly, thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. I appreciate your courage and resolve in pursuit of a cure. I have experienced your grief, anxiety and similar feelings of helplessness. This is why I am pleased to share my experience; through a year of torment, enduring, experimentation and vigilance, I have finally come across a cure – a 100%, complete release from symptoms that has worked specifically for me, but that also might work for you. If only one of you benefits from this, it is completely worth posting it.
This has been a difficult journey for me to this point, but it has also been consoling to know I’m not the only one with this odd, mysterious condition.
It all started with a feeling of something being stuck in my throat one morning, with an accompanying swelling of tonsils, the latter of which sent me to a walk-in clinic. The immediate diagnosis was tonsillitis, followed by a round of anti-biotics. Three days of relief, then nothing. Two more rounds, with similar results.
One day the clinic was closed, and a new doctor at a new clinic asked if we were barking up the wrong tree. “Judging by the fact you’re being prescribed Nexium, this is likely caused by GERD”.
Finally, my personal doctor got involved in the loop, and the nearly year-long epic journey began: an ultra-sound, two CT scans, two ENT scopes, a dozen blood tests, a complete allergy test and numerous touch-base doctor visits. All negative.
Each visit to a specialist was somewhat terrifying – you know what they’re looking for. In retrospect, that would easily explain why the lump in my throat got even bigger at each of these tests, but would subside once I left.
After exhaustive analysis, here is my takeaway:
Globus is not a physiological disease; it is a sensation. It is benign, so relax. Believe your highly trained and experienced ENT when they say, “there’s nothing there”. But it wasn’t until my second ENT said, “I think you have Globus. You can Google it and then you’ll know what we know. And make sure you reduce the acid in your diet”, did I finally believe him and calm down. Finally.
The causes are stress and silent reflux. So I started assessing the only thing I had control of - an array of adding this food, subtracting that. Something is causing your acid levels to rise to the point where your stomach reacts. Being a ‘foodie’ didn’t help. I want to know that I can eat anything, anytime. But, being 60 years old means you are no longer bullet proof. You need to be more selective.
After months of prayer and soul searching it finally came to me in a dream. That cocktail at 5:00 every day – that double gin and tonic – take it out and see what happens. “Humor me”, my little voice said.
Two days later, I noticed a remarkable change. I do not wake up every morning with a super dry throat. The lump is gone. Everything is GONE. No symptoms have returned. As a reverse test, I resumed having a daily drink, which I admittedly love. I felt a tickle at the back of my throat at the end of the day. Bingo.
In conclusion, SOMETHING is causing your hyperacidity which in turn is triggering silent reflux which is manifested/perceived as the Globus sensation. The same sensation that includes the lump, the creepy crawly tingling, the neck stiffness, the throat squeeze/choke, the rude wake-up in the middle of the night. Experiment. Find out what it is, and change it, or swap it out.I have found my Kryptonite. Now go find yours. I pray for you to find relief
charo88321 alvrad127
Posted
Thank you Alvrad
Very interesting. I've been experimenting too and found that olive oil helps. I'm taking 1 tsp before breakfast,lunch and dinner and before going to bed and cross my fingers but so far so good.
Of course same as you I'm watching what I eat constantly.
Nothing nothing fried for sure, no red wine, no spicy foods, no hard to digest foods , low fat , no sugar, a torture but I feel so much better.
Like you, I'm up in age, 57 to be exact and stress has been a big contributor to my problem. I'm starting back on my meditation and yoga thru YouTube and go to the beach at least once a week and do grounding. I guess getting old has the downs written all over.
Good luck to you!
alvrad127 charo88321
Posted
Hi Charo,
I'm so glad to hear something is working! All the best!
terrie27149 alvrad127
Posted
So happy this worked for you but....I don't drink...so gotta be another issue. Thanks though. Really happy that cleared yours up..I guess we will all find out sooner or later what causes ours..
katie16755 alvrad127
Posted
That's Brilliant news!!! I wish beer worked for me 🤣
With all the tests you had, you didn't mention endoscopy? Did you have that done to check for hiatus hernia, I'm worried that's what's causing mine.
I guess it doesn't matter now if gone! Fantastic for you!!
alvrad127 katie16755
Posted
Hi Katie,
No endoscopy was done, and that was with two separate ENT's. I guess that procedure wasn't deemed necessary.
Wishing you the best!
katie16755 alvrad127
Posted
I think it's only because I'm suffering from acid that they are wondering if stomach related, I hope not!
Thank you 😊
This_man_01 katie16755
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Sorry havnt posted so long (wifi DIED)anyway remember what I said on my last post?...well....um.....HAHAHAHAHA yeeeaaaah turns out mr.Globus is STILL HERE and that was probably just the moment BUT! its in a very stable condition.its usually only felt very mildly at night and right now its here even though its not night (I had a fever last Friday and till now been taking antibiotics but stopped yesterday so prob anti biotics?)I am coughing slightly due to anti-bios but its not as bad and is going away.I did experience (suffer)GERD (probably) for a while I was burping a lot and sometimes food but not anymore lately (at least for now)I feel like there is something in the back of my through (microscopically mid) and when I swallow saliva I feel nothing.It goes away for a second or two but im not heading to a mental asylum because of it or anything.Its like flies.Not a big threat but quite ANNOYING.sorry for getting your hopes up and just crushing your dreams in an instant.😐.I dont really have a cure (yet).Ive tried neck exercises.nope.keeping busy.sometimes.and staying calm.sometimes.but this THING is like summer holidays at school or at wrk or in any job or school period,christmas easter mid term anything.you get relief but then BAM! reliefe just says NOPE and DIES.Im just waiting it out now but ive noticed that.It all started on that nosebleed I had on the day that I would leave for a holiday (read post #1 for details).So I though "the blood clogged your throat and is still there)halfway through the holiday it was fairly inactive.some days I feel nothing and sometimes a mild urge at night but in the morning its all G.but when I was leaving in the airport going back FROM my holiday (Holidays over...)Its there.And was super active on the airplane.Not as bad as before but I felt the urge and swallowed felt a little something there.So I got a conclusion.My globus sensation stories,are all a HOAX.but I am afraid of AIRPLANES.
This_man_01
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This_man_01
Posted
This_man_01
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I'm not sorry.