Does anxiety cause a lump in throat? - Panic Disorders Message Board

Mindy3 · 04-15-2003, 05:32 AM

6 months ago I developed a feeling of having something caught in the side of my throat next to my tonsil. At first it just felt like a hair or something, but as time went on it became bigger. I didn't have any health insurance till recently and believe me, I am having all kinds of test done. My doc ( my first appt. was with my doctor for anxiety) told me that this is a classic symptom of anxiety. It doesn't feel like it's in the middle of my throat , it's actually to the side and sometimes I get a sore throat.

My ENT is running several tests on me right now. I will openly admit that I am a hypochondriac (sp?) and for the longest I obsessed over everything and was convinced that I was dying . Every week there was something else that was going to kill me. It was eating me up . I still have those obsessive thoughts but thanks to the meds I can kind of shove them to the back of my head.

Thanks,
Mindy

Graciecat · 04-15-2003, 06:49 AM

Mindy,

I've had the "lump in the throat" feeling too.
Mine isn't always in the middle of my throat, sometimes it's on the right side, sometimes on the left.
It is a classic symptom of panic disorder.

When it got bad, I'd drink some water or suck on a cough drop, certs or a life saver and that seemed to help.

Autumn Angel · 04-15-2003, 08:23 AM

I used to get the lump too it was one of my early signs that a panic/anxiety attack was on its way. I used to think every little ache and pain was a death sentance too that was quite awhile ago I havent had an attack in about 4 months. I keep my Ativan handy just incase but havent had to take it since. I dont know why they suddenly stopped coming but I am not going to question it. I wish it would happen for everyone though.

Autumn

Graciecat · 04-15-2003, 08:35 AM

That happened to me once too Autumn.
They went away and stayed away for almost 7 years.
Unfortunatly for me, they did come back.
But at least this time I knew what it was, so it wasn't quite as bad.

I know all to well the feeling that every little twinge is something that's going to kill you.
A headache isn't a headache, it's a brain tumor or a stroke...a little pain in your chest, isn't just a pain, it's a heart attack.
But, like you, that doesn't happen to me so much any more.
That was one of the hardest things for me to get over.

hry33 · 04-15-2003, 03:04 PM

if anxiety is causing the problem, some valium or other benzo should relax the throat muscles and stop it a while

jacuzzi spa baths or simply a long soak in a hot bath often reduces this problem, by relaxing the muscles

exercise such as long walks often helps also