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my story/question about relaxation techniques

Posted , 8 users are following.

jessi90498
jessi90498

So I am a 29 yr old female. Got diagnosed a year ago with post partum anxiety a year after the birth of my second child. 10 months after getting diagnosed I got the lump in the throat feeling. Went to my Dr many times got diagnosed with globus and about 3 weeks after that it Completely went away. I dieter and exercised. The anxiety was gone I was feeling fantastic and then about 3 months ago the anxiety came barreling back with a vengeance and now a little over 2 months ago the lump came back. I've gone to my Dr many times. Got given an acid reflux medication, the next visit I got the referral to the ENT but still awaiting to find my appointment date and I went back a week ago and got put on an Citalopram. It seems to stay on my left side mostly. Sometimes moves to the right. Most of the time it feels like my throat is super dry and when I swallow it peels apart. Other times feels like a pill stuck, or regurgitated food. I haven't noticed pain, but I'm constantly checking by swallowing. I even grab a flashlight and look in my mouth! Im always paying attention when i eat and drink and so far i only feel it when i swallow saliva. I have no sudden weightloss and my Dr constantly feels my neck and checks my mouth for me when I ask. He isn't concerned at all except for the anxiety. I am so sick of this sad

Wondering what type of exercises or relaxation techniques anyone has tried that has given some relief?

2 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Mikeglobus
    Mikeglobus jessi90498

    Posted

    Hi Jessi90498,

    Sorry to hear its come back. Ive never had the pleasure of it going away! Im just learning to live with it and the less attention you give it the less you notice it. Kind of a catch 22 as the more you notice the more you obsess, the worse it gets. It takes practice to zone it out. I have bad reactions now and then but in general it just feels like i have food stuck in my throat all day.

    I spent a fortune on tests getting endoscopies, barium swallows etc etc and nothing was revealed except an aggravated esophagus. General verdict was silent reflux, anxiety and of course the dreaded globus sensation.

    Anyway, in regards to exercise some body was on the other day and posted something I hadnt seen before. I hope they see this so they can correct me if Im wrong. What I have been doing every morning (mines the worst in the mornings) is when Im showering I stand facing the shower, put my shoulders back a bit a stretch my neck by looking up. Pushing my chin up, someone called it the 'kissing the ceiling' stretch which is a perfect way of looking at it. Apparently it was recommended by a speech therapist or something. When Im stretching up, I let the hot water hit my throat, thats just me though, feels like it relaxes the muscles. Long story not so short, it seems to be helping a bit - even if its a placebo effect. I think it works though, I guess you could imagine how it would stretch the throat out and release tension etc. Ill try anything.

    Good luck and dont get too discouraged, its tough but you kind of get use to it. Its not the end of the world by any means.

    ​Mike

     

  • Higs58
    Higs58 jessi90498

    Posted

    Have you looked at the posts by Chippy 12? The relaxation techniques are the same as those given to me by the speech therapist I was referred to when I was diagnosed with globus.

    Also, are you still exercising regularly. I do fairly intensive exercise classes three/four times a week and I find they relieve the anxiety caused by the globus. ( probably a huge release of serotonin!)

    another reason for having a super dry throat is that it is a side effect , ironically, of Citalopram in some people. My GP suggested I try it, but I don't  feel the need for anti depressants. No way suggesting that you shouldn't take it though, if you have such bad anxiety attacks! Like lots of other people on this site, you just need to remember that globus doesn't kill you, it's just a pain in neck (excuse awful pun) to live with!

    hope Chippy12's techniques are of some help to you.

  • richard66303
    richard66303 jessi90498

    Posted

    Hi Jessi90498,

    Sorry to hear it's come back too. Mine sometimes feels like it's trying to come back. When it does I do the following exercise and it seems to go away.

    I assume that the globus sensation is a throat muscle or muscles that have gone into a cramp. When you get a cramp in toes or hamstring etc you can stop it by stretching out the muscle as far as possible; I'm sure you've done this too. So I try to do the same for my throat; I look up a bit, push my chin forward and push the base my tongue downwards and rotate my neck a bit - think howler monkey! Hold the stretch for a count of ten. Relax for a count of ten and repeat a few times.

    Recommend you do this in private as it looks weird smile but anything to get rid of that awful globus is worth a try. Good luck.

    Richard

  • jessi90498
    jessi90498

    Posted

    Thank you for the quick responses! I've only been on the citalopram for a few days. I did not want to go the medication route at all, but by this point I'm at my wits end. I wake up in the morning thinking this can't be the rest of my life. It's such a horrible, lonely process. Especially when you have little ones.

    I forgot to mention that I am a smoker. Been trying to quit. Some days I do great and others not so much. That weighs heavy on my mind as I practically have myself convinced that I have some type of cancer going on in there. I try to remind myself one day at a time. Easier said than done.

    • Mikeglobus
      Mikeglobus jessi90498

      Posted

      Im not a doctor obviously so I cant promise anything but I can share my experience.

      I too was convinced I had cancer - hence my rush to get expensive tests done. But the doctor said not to stress about it. Long term, if you have acid reflux, then there is a possibility of Barretts esophagus which can, if unmanaged, lead to esophagus cancer. But my doctor said worrying about that now is like worrying about cancer in your big toe. I take reflux medicine and have cut back on some items in my diet. And I definitely could do better with it!

      Which leads me on to you smoking. Again, from my experience, the first things you are told to monitor or give up are basics like, coffee, beer, cigarettes, eating late etc etc. You can easily find dietary info online for reflux related issues. If anything is going to spur you on to quit smoking surely its the feeling of not being able to live with the globus sensation.

      You can easily get an endoscopy if you are that concerned - just for ease of mind. Its a little uncomfortable but over in 5 minutes. Ive had two and I suffer from bad gag reflex and panic attacks. Naturally I am a stressed and anxious person but you find strength when you need it!

      Just so you know. I dont take any medication besides Omeprazole for my stomach. It stopped the sore, aggravated throat feeling but I still have the phlegmy, clogged throat sensation everyday. Normally I dont notice it that often during the day anymore, especially if Im distracted with a task, its morning and evenings for me that get me. Maybe cause I have time to focus on it?

      ​

      Mike

    • sharon94089
      sharon94089 jessi90498

      Posted

      Bless you, feel so sorry for you dealing with a young family and all this discomfort. Living in England is horrific when trying to get a diagnosis for mine. Had mine since after Christmas and haven't got my appointment til June. It's progressively getting worse. I wish you all the very best, no doubt your diagnosis will come before mine x
    • Mikeglobus
      Mikeglobus sharon94089

      Posted

      I feel your pain Sharon. Im in the UK too. I gave up on the NHS and finally went state side to speak to a specialist. Still paying for it but gave me some reassurance, short term anyway.

      Have to say though, NHS have been great with my Omeprezole and meds. Would have cost me a fortune anywhere else to keep this prescription up. 

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