Treatment for Globus Sensation?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Hello, I am a 41 year old male and had been suffering from Globus for 3 months now.  The condition happened after i was eating and choked, then swallowed a HUGE piece of meat.  It felt stuck in my throat. I been to the emergency room 6 times for it (they didn't do much except refer me to a gastroenterologist. The G.I. doctor did a upper endoscopy, and found nothing, he then referred me to a ENT doctor.  The ENT doctor said it was a muscle spasm, stop thinking about it and it will go away. Well, 3 months later and its still here. I just went back to the ENT and he finally used the term Globus sensation. He scheduled me for esophageal manometry.  He said depending on the results I may be able to get treatment for it. The doctor said the specialist can use botox or "cut" the muscle to treat this. I am scheduled in 2 weeks to get the Esophageal manometry and see the specialist.  

Before this happened to me I never heard of such a condition.  I read online it's caused by:

1. stress

2. post nasal drip or something to do with the mucosa in the throat

3. Trauma to the throat or swallowing something huge (What I believe caused mine)

4. Gerd (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease)

Most forums, and blogs all say similar things....stop thinking about it, try a antihistamine or purple pill. There are also exercises for it. But out of all these treatments most people still seem to suffer from this.  I would imagine if it was anxiety induced it would be logical to assume it will go away if one stops thinking about it. If it's caused by post nasal drip, it seems reasonable the antihistamine would work, and obviously if it's caused by GERD it would be reasonable to believe the purple pill (Prylosec, or Zantac...ect) will help. But what about trauma? I seen one person posted on the forums there is a place in NY and  in NC that treat it with Botox. After seeing that post is when i really started to get hope, and now the ENT confirming this makes me feel even better. I live in Philadelphia i was worried what if i have to go to NY or NC to treat it, but they treat it right here in the city. I been looking online to try to find out if anyone had been treated for this with Botox or surgery, but I haven't found any results yet. So i will keep posting my experience with this. I hope one of these treatments can be performed and if so i will post the results here.   

To be continued...I will post after March 20th when i get the manometry and speak to the specialist.

3 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • Posted

    Will do, I want to talk the doctor in to giving me a different treatment. I have a appointment on the 24th of August.
    • Posted

      So I’m  sitting here with pen an paper writing down these ideas to throw at my doctor because I too suffer with this exact thing.. I feel like everyone thinks I’m crazy I feel so relieved that I’m not the only one on the planet suffering with this as I have felt..I go to see the ENT in a week this whole thing has been so thought consuming I have lost appetite an drive in all things please update us on what has helped you with this “globus” so far all ct scans an x-rays have come back normal .. been to the er about 5 times an each time they send me home with a different medication! 
    • Posted

      I see the doctor again this Friday the 24th of August. My throat has relaxed quite a bit but it still flares up and gets painful at times. The flexeril is helping to cope with it especially at night. Will post Fridays update soon.
    • Posted

      Good to hear you have some relief . How are you taking the tablet? I can’t swallow tablets since having this condition. Does it give you side effects ? 
    • Posted

      Sorry for the long break but getting these appointments is difficult and long wait. I am able to swallow the pill because it is small and I drink alot of water with it to lubricate it all the way down. It makes me very drowsy, also I wont take in the day time because it really makes me too dizzy to drive also cant be consumed with alcohol or even if I took my pill last night I cant drink today it will kick it right back in with severe impairing effects.

      I had my 2nd manometry done, my UES relaxed quite a bit now it is further down I think he said the lower esophageal sphincter is having bad spasms causing me jackhammer esophagus. it feels like chest pain. My throat still feels tight but no where as bad. The doctor is going to perform a dialation with botox this time. Honestly I think the combo is what I need. I go for pre admission then on the 15th of Nov I get the procedure I will keep you posted.

    • Posted

      I will be interested to know if the botox helps. I was suppose to have it with my dilation but didn't . I have had my second VF and go back for results in December . I find the test doesnt really show my problems . As even though they video you eating food, it's got baruim on it which I find makes my swallowing ok. I have all my food with sauce/ gravy etc . It's hard dry stuff i struggle with and tablets. My ache that i get on throat doesnt seem to go either. Hope everything goes ok for you .

    • Posted

      It is now Sunday morning, Thursday I had the procedure. Surprisingly I am not in pain, the sensation is changing. Also off topic I have PTSD, so I went to my local dispensary, (medical marijuana card holder here) and picked up some indica THC pills and indica THC spray tincture for my mental health problems; and this time I didnt even have to use the pain meds the doctor gave me after the surgery because these medical marijuana products dulled the pain to almost non existentance... the spray surprisingly soothes and relaxes the throat. I felt it was worth mentioning because the effects on my globus sensation are very positive from these products. I strongly recommend to see the doctor and discuss this alternative medicine. Back on topic the doctor told me I wont feel the botox for 3 days then it will feel like it works too strong and food should "hang" in my esophagus when swallowing, this should last for approx 3 weeks then it will be less potent.and it should again move food down..well today I feel the botox working. I cant describe it. it dont hurt right now. I feel the muscle relaxing. This update is a little early on, but I am shocked at the difference this time. The medical marijuana products worked so well for pain and relaxing the muscle I didnt get sick or that sore this time. I figured this relief and the source were mentioning asap. Do not smoke it ! it will hurt your throat but there are plenty of forms to ingest it. I sadly can not confirm the dialation treatment with the botox is totally working yet, but the early results feel promising. for the first time in 11 months I haven't been in intense pain and discomfort. I'm not totally pain free but it is an huge difference so far.

      I will post and update in 3 weeks, i also have a post op appointment then so i can also report what the doctor finds as well. I sincerely hope this helps if anything to comfort those of you suffering with this and there is hope and treatment options. Be back in 3 weeks.

    • Posted

      It is now 8 days since the procedure, I feel the botox paralysis...the food just kinda goes down real slow, gas keeps coming up and swallowing is a bit of a chore since gravity is doing most of the work. I have to sit up for a hour after eating, so I been avoiding unessicary snacks and late night snacks. I had some weight loss but I wont complain about that symptom. I feel like I'm getting a cold and have runny nose, I'm groggy and my throat getting itchy and irritated. fFr the most part though the THC indica relax capsules are a huge relief for it but still kinda uncomfortable from this cold. I'll try to keep regular updates, I go back to the ENT Fri Nov 30th. Be back then with the report.

    • Posted

      Thanks for update. I didnt know that the botox went through different stages. I am interested to see how you feel after the current stage . I would find that difficult to cope with . Its interesting what you said about the THC spray and how that has helped you . Im not sure if you can buy it like that here in the UK though! I am going back to Ent next week for results of the VF. The ache i get in my throat is getting to me at the moment so I hope they have something that will help . Hope this operation works for you.

    • Posted

      it is now 3 weeks later and I'm able to swallow a lot better, the pain is almost dulled to nothing. I know it's still there but it's more of a minor annoyance than constant discomfort. it flares up but a lot less. the jackhammer esophagus pain has been mitigated and I sometimes feel a hard part of the swallow near the top of my stomach the lower part of the esophagus but it's been less, every time I eat. I am very satisfied with the treatment so far and I think it feels good for long term. I'll update in a month or 2.

    • Posted

      I'm glad it is improving for you . It makes me think i should have had the botox when i had the dilation . One dr told me i could have just the botox without the dilation but I dont know what this would achieve . I hope the pain stays away . Please do

      update as next time i am at the drs i can tell them about your success .

    • Posted

      glad to hear you're doing a lot better. Thank you for the updates i appreciate them..

    • Posted

      Back again with another update,

      well the botox is wearing off and I feel slight globus but pretty good compared to where I was a year ago. my doctor started me on Calan he said it a blood pressure medication to lower blood pressure but they had high success for it calming the globus. I have to admit it's not totally better but the pain is mitigated enough to where it is annoying rather than painful. It doesn't rule my life anymore. I'll report any changes. Thanks for hearing my story. I'm hoping this comforts you and everyone who is suffering from this affliction.

      I wish you well. definitely explore treatment possibilities.

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