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
xxKxxxxx chippy12
Posted
How is everyone feeling?
I'm actually coping with all this and can ignore it or not let it bother me 90% of the time!
I find mine is more or less caused by anxiety but worse when I have my silent reflux play up.. I had spag bol the other evening and another evening a lot of brown sauce on food and omg it was so much worse and indigestion on top!
Hope you are all well and your Globus isn't causing you too much trouble 🙂
katie16755 xxKxxxxx
Posted
That's great to know!!
Mine sometimes ok and sometimes not 😒
Would quite like it to just disappear for good!!
That's great you are doing so well though, long may it continue 😊
xxKxxxxx katie16755
Posted
Oh yeah I would love it to be gone forever but as long as I can ignore or try to at least that's half the battle won.
I'm more annoyed with the breathlessness I get in my throat from either reflux, ferritin deficiency or folate deficiency.. Haven't quite worked it out but it's bugging me! My chest feels fine and it's not my asthma 🤔
katie16755 xxKxxxxx
Posted
I haven't had breathlessness... yet!!
I just have this constant scratchy phlegm feeling 😡
I would say the breathlessness is more to do with iron or ferritin🤔 What are your ferritin levels? Mine is 34 so borderline low, feel tired but always do 😂
xxKxxxxx katie16755
Posted
At my doctors the levels are 10-300.. Mine were 8!
Folate should be over 4.. Mine were 2.3.
Hopefully now I'm on meds they'll go up! 😕
katie16755 xxKxxxxx
Posted
It's weird how the levels are so different depending on the country yet they are measured the same, our dr here it's between 13-150 in Australia they are between 30- 300 so here I'm not low but in Australia boarder line! On the internet they say the optimum level is 50!
My folate is 23.8 so too high!!
Our dr says it should be between 3.1-20!
I would say that would definitely cause you breathlessness, hopefully the mess work quickly 😊
xxKxxxxx katie16755
Posted
I hope so too! It's frustrating doing the smallest of tasks and getting breathless from it then I need to sit down for a good hour or 2 to feel better.
Got a blood test on Monday to see if I have Coeliacs disease. Think they are checking my Ferritin and Folate again x
katie16755 xxKxxxxx
Posted
Oh poor you, that definitely sounds like anaemia 😞
Good luck with all tests.
I'm seeing dr next week to be referred to gastroenterologist 😬
terrie27149 xxKxxxxx
Posted
BPBYRNES87 chippy12
Edited
Hello, new friends!
I've been dealing with Globus Sensation for the last month, on and off now. I've been searching the Internet high, and low looking for answers on how to get rid of this "feeling". I've came across this page numerous times and have read most, if not, all of the comments. I figured now would be the time to share my story and contribute to this small community. I had randomly come on to this condition one night, and it sent me into a panic attack. Sweating, shaking, increased heart rate, etc. After a few hours of this happening, I started to become exhausted and was able to fall right asleep. I woke up the next morning feeling fine, but later that day, it came on again. Same scenario, for almost 4 days straight. Everything I read online kept saying "Globus Sensation". I didn't understand how that could just randomly come out of nowhere. I don't have high levels of anxiety, and I barely ever suffer from panic attacks. I figured, it must be the other thing these articles are talking about; GERD. So, I buy OTC Acid Reflux tablets. Started taking those, and nothing. All of my symptoms pointed towards GERD, but I wasn't having the whole, heartburn, acid-like feeling in my throat. So, I turn back to Globus Sensation, again. It has its days, sometimes mild, sometimes extreme, and sometimes, the days I long for, I don't have anything at all. I'm not stressed, I don't have anxiety, it comes on just like it did in the beginning; randomly. On the days that it's at its worst, I come here, and read further into the comments. It eases my mind. My extreme episodes consist of just miserably dealing with that uncomfortable sensation. But, the last few days have been slightly extreme to the point where it's close to breaking my mentality of staying calm. Things that help me cope/prevent it from becoming uncomfortable, when I can, is drinking alcohol. No, I'm not talking about drinking every day, or every time I think that it's right around the corner. Sometimes I'll only eat unless I'm really hungry. At that point, I'm just fed up and miserable, so if eating does anything, so be it. But, for the most part, it is mild, but I would really love for this to go away. I know that I'm going on and on here, so I'll leave the rest to future replies & comments! Hope everyone in doing well, and look forward to hearing from you all.
katie16755 BPBYRNES87
Posted
Welcome to this unusual site!!
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this odd condition too.
It's very strange how it changes day to day, mine is generally there everyday, it sometimes tickles like something is irritating it, makes me cough, feel like I'm being strangled, feels like something sharp is stuck there but generally it's like I have phlegm constantly stuck, like you I can generally cope with it but sometimes if I think about it too much it sends me into a panic.
I am different that I do suffer from health anxiety so could be psychological for me but I do believe it's stemming from my stomach.
We all keep searching for answers, we will get there one day 🙏🙏
charo88321 BPBYRNES87
Posted
Hey there
I have it in control by avoiding starches , sugars and processed foods
Start with olive oil and lemon before breakfast
Olive oil has been my savior
This problem is inflammation
If you eat inflammatory foods then you will get it
Is a horrible feeling
Bacteria feeds of sugar so don't eat anything that is going to change into sugar
Is strange but even though wine turns into sugar actually doesn't create a problem
Stay away from heavy liquor though
Cheers !!!!
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
Do you find wine is ok? I'm more a lager drinker so maybe I need to switch 🍾🥂🍺
I need to start that olive oil thing! Keep forgetting!!
I wonder if olive leaf extract would be good as that fights inflammation 🤔 Another one to try!!
terrie27149 BPBYRNES87
Posted
We all can so relate here. Notice the foods u are eating. I LoVE peanut butter and banana, but when I eat it, look out, here comes the feeling that my throat is closing up on me. Yesterday ate a grilled burger, then got news my aunt wasn't well and wow, it set it off again. I almost wanted to panic cuz it felt like my throat was closing and everytime I swallowed it felt like a rawness on one side..I kept sipping water, calmed myself down. Did deep breathing techniques.. (breathe deep in counting to 7 hold 4, exhale hard) ..this seemed to ease it after about 10 minutes. I only breath like that about 4x...but we are all here for you. Talk anytime. We all try to discuss what is working for us all and others can try and see if it helps them. My help is Organic apple cider vinegar and when I feel it coming on a slice of Red Delicious apple..Hope this helps..
deon28030 BPBYRNES87
Posted
Hi BPBYRNES,
I'm sorry your going through this. The first month having globus is hard because it is so foreign and awful to feel this way. But I've had it almost a year now, and I must say it doesn't keep me back like it used to. I couldn't concentrate on anything but the heartbreak and frustration I felt but nowadays it's not ruining my life, and just remains in the background.
I feel that I relate to you in that I do not normally suffer from anxiety, and do not have acid reflux problems. I have no idea why I have globus. Alcohol does help me deal with it too. I really wish it would just go away.
Peppermint oil helps me- I rub it on the globus area on my neck and also on my nose so I am breathing in the mint. It is temporary relief but I like it. I had tried to adjust my diet but didn't find a correlation to anything really helping or hurting it. Have you tried the exercises that Chippy recommended?
Unfortunately for me, I feel like nothing helps, other than time.
I hope your ok. I hope everyone on this sight is ok- Charo, Katie, Terrie, etc.
katie16755 deon28030
Posted
Hi deon, nice to hear from you.
I've had mine about 5 months now and still pretty fed up, mine seems to hurt now too 😒 I am getting quite a bit of acid where as at the beginning of globus I didn't have it.
Hopefully once I've seen gastroenterologist I will know some more, if not I will just try and move on!!
terrie27149 deon28030
Posted
Hey Deon, good to hear from you again and to know you are coping well! That gives others help. I too had globus first like Katie and then comes the acid. Or maybe I had the acid, but didn't know it cuz ENT found it first and said it was the silent kind but it definetly has awoken..
I deal with the acid when I dont eat right, but the globus daily. Some days easier than others. But I too am moving on. It is what it is..take care and keep on keeping on!!!!!
terrie27149 katie16755
Posted
terrie27149
Posted
Two or three times a day I drink orange flavored carbonated mineral water. After drinking it, I hold back the burp for 3 to 5 minutes, sometimes longer. Then burp the air out. Make sure to always do this right before bed. This forces the esophageal sphincter to work hard to hold down the increasing air pressure. It is the only way to strengthen this muscle. After nearly 2 years of nexium, I am now completely off acid blockers and only take a sip of water with sodium bicarbonate before bed, just for protrection. Please try this and let me know if you also find relief from acid reflux. I hope you do.
Maybe this could help somebody..I may try this as eell to strengthen the muscle..
katie16755 terrie27149
Posted
Hi Terrie, I need to go and get it looked into, even though this petrifies me ( silly I know!) but I keep thinking the worst and I know the ent said I wouldn't get over this until I accept it, at the moment I don't and fear that something in my stomach is causing it so further adding to my anxiety!
Oh I read that before too!!
I will definitely try! I'll try with normal carbonated water, I'm sure it doesn't need to be flavoured 🤔
Take care and I'll keep you informed 😊
charo88321 deon28030
Posted
Deon
I'm glad to hear from you
I have to say that the experience of having globus sensation was one of the worst thing ever happened to be
For me it was bacteria overgrowth
I started avoiding everything that fed bacteria like starches and sugars
Also can foods, preservatives and fried foods
It went away after I changed my diet
I'm scared now to eat any other way for the fear of have it back
Also I've been rubbing castor oil cold pressed organic on my neck, under arms, and of course my stomach always in the direction of the heart
I still have a lot to learn from everyone in this forum and love the fact that I can connect with people that are going thru the same ordeal
Keep us updated
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
Charo, that's so good to hear it has gone!!
For me though I don't eat sugar or gluten or anything bad, apart from beer!! I have now given that up!
Do you know what bacterial overgrowth you had? I was tested for helicobacter pylori ( a common cause of acid) that was negative.
I will keep on trying!!
charo88321 katie16755
Posted
Hey there!
Yes
I don't have a problem when I drink wine but has to be a low sugar one like Savigñon Blanca or piño griccio
Don't drink red as it increases your acid
Stay away from dry hard foods
And chew 20 times
I really made tons of sacrifices to avoid the problem
If you continue feeding bacteria it will continue happening
My doctor told me we have bacteria in our saliva and if you feed the bacteria it multiply by millions and creates inflammation
Inflammation causes stomach acid
If you control inflammation the acid will go away
Try it!!!
Good luck 👍
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
Do you know what bacteria overgrowth you had?
terrie27149 charo88321
Posted
When u say dried hard foods are u talking like chips etc? Not raw veggies right? I do feel chips makes the rawness worse as does nuts. May scratch it..whatever It is...
terrie27149 katie16755
Edited
It is never silly to have fears. It is a genuine symptom of an underlying problem. I hope you finally get a relieving answer that puts you back on the Tract of a good healthy life. One free of sickness fears, which consume and waste away our precious time we have on this earth..Get er done girl!! Take care...
charo88321 katie16755
Posted
You are the right path but have you given up carbohydrates?
charo88321 terrie27149
Posted
Oh yes
Chips is terrible because is processed food
Carbohydrates
Have to give it up
If you eat raw vegetables make sure you put olive oil so it can slide !
😂
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
I still have sweet potatoes 😬 Are they a problem? So do you just eat meat/ and veg? Basically a paleo diet.
What bacteria was causing your problem so I can ask the gastroenterologist when I see him 😊
katie16755 terrie27149
Posted
Thank you Terrie, I'm an expert in worrying! This is just another different symptom to worry about 🙄
Will keep in touch! Take care 😊
deon28030 terrie27149
Posted
deon28030 katie16755
Posted
Katie,
I'm sorry to hear that it hurts now too. Have you tried lozenges? I've heard Fishermans friend lozenges are good. There are also some geared towards stress relief from health food stores. You can also massage it with oils, and maybe add essential oils. I know you guys have talked about essential oils, and I too LOVE them. I would use peppermint, or maleleuca, or even frankincense. Send your throat good, healing energy!
And since you are feeling the acid, I would seriously follow an acid reducing diet!! I think Charo has us all beat on that! LOL
Hiatle hernias are so uncommon! I don't think you have one, but if you find out that you do, wouldn't it be great to know, and go from there? At least it would be a starting point.
For me, my ears give me trouble now and its so hard to know if it is related to the globus. I had them checked and no doctor that I have tried can help me
take care!
deon28030 charo88321
Posted
Hi Charo,
I'm so glad to hear that you are doing good. Taking responsibility for our own health is so important, and I see that you are doing that! I still haven't tried the olive oil that you recommend. I don't know why... it just seems like a lot of olive oil
The castor oil sounds great. I have done that a few times and always like how I feel when I wake up.
I must say, globus is the worst thing that has happened to me too. It is a very hard thing to deal with.
deon28030 terrie27149
Posted
Hi Terrie,
Glad to hear from you too. Coping is a good word for it. Globus sucks to deal with daily and I feel for you. Mine is pretty much always there but not as prevalent anymore. Its not a sharp pain, but dull. Do you have a clicking in your throat? I do, and thats why I tend to think mine is more muscular. But who knows.
Are you staying away from foods that add to acid reflux? I had tried for two months at one point, I mean really took it seriously, but I did not feel better. But I think for you, it would probably help. I was never diagnosed with acid reflux. Exercise helps too, whether its just to get my mind off of it. I don't know, I just take it day by day.
Have a great day!
katie16755 deon28030
Posted
Hi deon,
are they uncommon?? I really hope so!! Have so got it into my head I've got one and it's damaging my oesophagus I'm making myself worse ?? I've got chest pains today, I have had them before and always thought it was muscle but now wonder if it's the acid 😬
Just cant understand why I feel so much acid if it's not a hiatus hernia 🤔
I know, charo doing so well!! I'm trying hard, given up beer 😒 Don't eat anything processed or bad, was desperate to steal potatoes from my kids dinner but I didn't!! Still got acid though 😒
Will keep on rubbing oils and caster oil, will try and be more positive!! Hope you're ok 😀
charo88321 katie16755
Posted
Hello Katie
Yes
Even sweet potatoes will multiply bacteria
Is sad but a real problem
Concentrate on relieving inflammation and bacteria
Look for products that will help with that and avoiding triggers will help.
I love eating but I'm just trying really hard to stay busy so I don't think about it 😂
Acid reflux is an inflammatory response to something
So avoiding anything that will increase it will definitely help
I wish we had a solution but I think sharing our experiences will help each and everyone.
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
Hi Charo, god it's so depressing 😞 I eat very healthily anyway but there goes the sweet potatoes!! It's a bit like a candida diet, I have a diet book for healing inflammation so will look at that again!
I get the clicking sometimes then it goes, then the gurgling comes, it constantly changed!!
Do you ever feel when you go to breath in like there's something catching or in the way, not sure how to explain really.
deon with your ears is it noise you have? Mine block up from time to time like on a plane, all connected I think.
speak soon guys 🖐🏻
terrie27149 deon28030
Posted
Hey Deon, I am really trying with diet, but so hard. I know that's what I must do if I don't want to take the meds. I will do good for a day or two, feel much better, then BAM I mess up with diet..I hate I'm so weak there. I have always been able to eat anyway I wanted. Never had any issues with foods, until just in the past 6 months..I hate that..yet I tell ya, I see like a nodule beside my epiglotis,, I kept telling ENT and he keeps saying lower tonsils. I sure hope he is seeing what I'm talking about..Iv told him3 or 4 times where to look. He says well youv had a scope and an ultra sound which showed nothing. So maybe it's normal. Feeling tho this is what gets kinda raw tho when I eat certain foods..But yes, I think this shifts sometimes and I can feel the cluck in throat area down deep..done worrying tho..just trying now to relieve symptoms. Glad u doing well..
terrie27149
Posted
charo88321 katie16755
Posted
Good Wednesday Katie
That's exactly how I feel
I'm constantly worry that if I eat this or eat that is going to come back
And yes I have problems with breathing
Specially when I eat heavy
Also sometimes when I wake up
terrie27149 charo88321
Posted
Me too guys. When I eat sometimes, it's like I can't catch a deep breath. This is just horrible, cuz then I want to panic which makes it way worse. Such a vicious cycle..
katie16755 charo88321
Posted
Hiya! Not such a good one 😒 Been quite acidy today, now I feel like something is really catching at the base of my throat, so had enough of this.
I've been really careful with my diet, no alcohol either, just doesn't seem to improve.
I read earlier if you're stressed the lower oesophagul sphincter is too tight and it sends acid back up the the upper oesophagul sphincter as this has become weakened, I'm fed up with reading about acid and oesophagus now 😂😂
Seeing the dr in the morning.
I'm off to bed ( night time here) to get some relief!! Haveva good day guys 😊
terrie27149 katie16755
Posted
CK091 charo88321
Posted
Do you think it is a good idea to get probiotics to fight the bacteria or anti inflamatory drugs... rather than taking anti acids?
charo88321 CK091
Posted
Actually you have to stop feeding the bacteria
Probiotics gives you more bacteria
Eat vegetables , herbs and fruits that are antibacterial. Same other sources like olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, oregano oil , etc.
is not that you have bad bacteria is that you have too much of it !
😂