Do any of you ever experience any of these throat problems as a result of your anxiety/panic and which ones?

1) Lump in throat
2) Tingling in throat
3) Burning sensation in throat
4) Feeling like an air pocket or "bubble" is trapped in your throat
5) Feels like your throat is constricting/closing
6) Feels like a foreign object is trapped in your throat
7) Tight band across throat
8) Difficulty swallowing
9) Pressure in throat
10) Feels like your epiglotis is flexing every so often
11) "Clicking" sensation when you swallow
12) Feeling of "movement" at intervals in throat
13) "Crawling" feeling in throat
14) "spasming" sensation in throat


Did I miss any?. Please share!. I'm just coming off of xanax and this has me scared to death because I'm thinking rabies, throat cancer, AIDS, etc. I also drank a lot of coffee today (as I usually do). I'm getting really freaked out over this. It feels like my epiglotis (or something in there) is flexing or tensing up ever now and then and I have a lump/clicking in my throat and feel pretty wired up right now. I can't explain it very well but it is very weird and frightening. Please HELP!!

Thank's so much

[This message has been edited by FearfulGuy (edited 02-20-2003).]

hey,
all normal stuff associated w/anxiety. do yourself a favor and drop the coffee.

nd

Yes, I've had many of the symptoms you describe and imagined the worst just like you are...Actually this "throat thing" has a name....Dr. Claire Weekes describes these throat spasms on page 52-53 in her book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves". It's called "globus hystericus". It can be quite scary, but once you realize that it's anxiety causing it and there's nothing really in your throat, the symptoms start to go away gradually. It also helps just to know other people have suffered the same. You might like to pick up a copy of that book...It has much information in it for coping with these anxiety related symptoms...You can get the book from Amazon.com or perhaps from your library or bookstore....I hope this helps a little....naming it is a first step to "beating" it...

I have probably had them all but 1,2 and 3 are there every attack. I dont get them much anymore I think I have had one in about 2 months or so and compared to everyday like before I have come a long way. And I wish I knew what I have done or havent done to make them go away then I could share with all of you. The one poster is right the caffiene has alot to do with it or it did with mine but mine was in tea! When I cut the tea I cut the attacks. Good Luck.

------------------
Cheers...Autumn
Female...42
TMJD...12 years
Anxiety/Panic Attacks (cured I hope)
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Ovaries left intact due to endometrial bleeding after miscarriage (2002)
Hernia Repair(1998)
Apendectomy (infected) 1988
Just Dx with multiple ovarian cysts..having C-125 test done for possible malignancy.
21 year old daughter born with Mullerian Aplasia.
18 yr old daughter bulimia survivor.
Pain Management- Oxycontin 20mg twice a day..Percocet for bt. 2 mg Dilaudid at bedtime.
" Wishing all a pain free day"

Yes i too get the symptoms you described with the throat......at the moment i have been to three doctors because of a lump when i swallow that feels like im swallowing over an oyster its behind the tonsil but under the ear if that makes any sense...the doctor said its my eustachian tube playing up
the other one said postnasal drainage and the other one said...sinus infection
mine is not at the bottom of the throat its at the top
and it feels gluggy

Yes i too get the symptoms you described with the throat......at the moment i have been to three doctors because of a lump when i swallow that feels like im swallowing over an oyster its behind the tonsil but under the ear if that makes any sense...the doctor said its my eustachian tube playing up
the other one said postnasal drainage and the other one said...sinus infection
mine is not at the bottom of the throat its at the top
and it feels gluggy

Throat problems are a listed withdrawal effect of benzodiazepines(Xanax). You can read alot of information on this in the Ashton Manual which is now free online. And caffiene only aggravates benzo withdrawal symptoms so best to lay off it for awhile.

I am having a very rough time with these throat sensations lately (past two months). I went to the doctor, fearful of cancer, and he said I was just working myself up over nothing. Well he didn't convince me, so now I scheduled myself at an ENT for next week. This is driving me mad!

Anyone have any good techniques for getting rid of this? I seem to have it almost 24x7...except first thing in the morning. But when I start thinking about it, it gets bad quickly.

throat and swallowing problems are very common for anxiety sufferers, anxiety is often the cause and relaxation is the answer
valium type meds relax the throat muscles for a while
sometimes the throat muscles cramp and magnesium may help this

I have so many of the symptoms you describe. I went to my primary about a month and half agoa with these complaints. He didnt feel or see anything in my neck or throat and ordered a CAT SCAN. the scan came back negative. he was pretty certain this was all stress related. He even had me beleiving it was GLOBUS. I went to an ENT specialist today to get definitive peace of mind. I was pretty certain he wouldnt find anything in my throat so when he said he did indeed see something i was shocked. He saw a small lump type mass on the left side of my throat. He says it doesnt like cancer but natrually without a biopsy and closer looking he cant be certain. So now im waiting for his office to call me with a date for the surgery. Am i scared..extremely. But if i took my primarys word on this id be walking around thinking it was an anxiety disorder and not know i had a real live lump in my throat. I encourage you to pls go see an ENT specialist if you havent already and do all the necessary test to be certain without a shadow of a doubt of whats going on in your throat. Its always best to know what youre dealing with so you can take action. I wish you the very best and pls keep us posted on what happens.