Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
I have had this feeling of something stuck in the middle of my throat for more than a month now. It feels like I swallowed a vitamin without water and it won't go down. I went to see a family doctor 3 weeks ago and she said it's a small piece of food stuck in the throat crevice. She said it will go away soon. But it hasn't gone away yet. And now, when I use the electric toothbrush, I feel like I'm somehow 'vibrating' that object in my throat too. It feels uncomfortable. Should I go to another doctor? I don't have health insurance so I cannot afford to go to too many doctors. I don't think that family doctor knew what she was talking about.
Re: Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
Consider another possibility. The sensation of having something stuck in your throat is a hallmark symptom of a variant of acid reflux disease called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) - in which acid gets out of your esophogous and into your throat.
You can go to an ENT to be scoped and see if you have any classic redness and swelling of the larynx.
More importantly, people with this symtpom usually respond to acid reflux medication called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). But unlike heartburn, people who get LPR need 2 doses a day of a a PPI, not 1 dose.
The best PPIs for LPR are Aciphex and Nexium, expensive but effective.
Also, if you had an actual particle stuck in your throat for that long, you'd probably have an infection from the bacteria that would be trying to digest it. It's more likely that it's LPR.
If it is LPR, LPR never goes away, but it can usually be managed with PPIs and some diet modification.
You can visit the acid reflux board if you have more specific LPR questions.
Re: Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
Does LPR hurt? Because mine doesn't hurt at all. And there doesn't feel like a lump or anything. It just feels like there is a long piece of hair stuck in there.
I went to see the doctor and she looked at my throat and said it could be a piece of food stuck in the crevice of my throat.
Re: Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
ENT is Ear Nose & Throat Doctor
Could you have tonsil stones? Chronic infection of the tonsils. Sometimes doctors will say it's food, but as someone who dealt with those nasty things for years -- infection.
Have you tried gargling. Pushing on it gently with your finger or q-tip to dislodge it. If it's a tonsil stone it's probably whitish, resembles cauliflower and smells nasty.
Re: Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
I have this same feeling all the time but mine turned out to be a noduel on my thyroid pressing on the wind pipe, it can not be removed and they do not want to remove the thyroid even though it's not fully working properly it is working somewhat. So for now I just put up with the feeling and take thyroid meds. I can say since I have been on the meds the feeling isn't as bad, Doc was hoping the noduel would shrink some. guess it did. You might want to see about getting an ultra sound of your thyroid. That's what I did.
Re: Feeling of something stuck in throat for more than a month
Hollandlop,
Given your situation there are two types of specialists I would see:
1) GI - Gastrointestinal specialist, swallowing difficulties can be the result of gastro intestinal reflux diseases or hiadal hernias. ring strictures about the esphogus. My husband has Gerd, but he also had a ring stricture that originally seemed to be a lump but amplified to allowing for food to get stuck and choke him. A simple out patient surgery and nexium and all is well in that department for him.
2) ENT - Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist, If the problem is more tonsil oriented the ENT would be the best doctor to see.
GPs (general practicioners), your family MD is most likely not qualified to diagnose you in this situation. Go to the specialist find out your probelm and then see if there is advice for that specific problem. With out a physical examination it is impossible to truely know what is wrong with you.
