Feeling of tightness/something stuck in throat... Could it just be anxiety?

[Tsc1929]

I'm feeling pretty desperate. Since Saturday I've had an almost constant feeling of my throat feeling tight. I ended up going to out of hours doctors on Sat, had this feeling in my throat, tightness in my check, feeling dizzy, faint, my legs wouldn't work properly, which led them to suspect I'd just had a panic attack. However most of these symptoms have now disappeared but I'm still left with this feeling in my throat...and occasionally feeling dizzy still. It's driving me crazy, can it really just be anxiety? It's worse of I think about it but it's hard not to think about it, also when I'm eating sometimes it's like my whole jaw/face seizes up and I really have to try hard to swallow :( has anyone experienced this? I should add when I'm swallowing I don't feel like anything is actually in my throat, it's just an awful feeling :/

[Ocho]

Sorry to hear you're feeling like this. Yes, restricted throat and dizziness are both symptoms of anxiety. I've had it myself.

Like you said, thinking about it makes it worse, but if you try not to think about it you end up thinking about it more. You could try allowing yourself to think about it and say to yourself, 'this is my anxiety making me feel like this'.

Do you take any medication for it?

Of course, if you're really not convinced it is anxiety then make another appointment to see your GP.

[Ocho]

Also, make sure your breathing is slow, regular and deep (from the belly).

[Tsc1929]

No, I'm not on medication, it's come on out of the blue over the past few days... I will go back to the dr if it's not gone over the weekend. But I've had two doctors look at me (my throat) to try and reassure me but it just won't go! I'm usually so calm, I really can't understand this and I'm struggling to understand how this can be normal, it's really getting me down now tbh. Thanks for ur reply btw

[mkz10]

Did they rule out thyroid issues ? If not, request thyroid blood tests, some of your symptoms sound familiar to me, prior to being diagnosed with thyroid issues. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[catchingzzzeds]

I was going to suggest thyroid issues too.

[Tsc1929]

Haven't really considered anything else tbh. I think because I went into hospital having a panic attack that's what they're putting it down too. Hopefully if I go back again they will look into it more. I've not even thought about it, what are other symptoms of thyroid issues?

[IsItMeOr]

It could be anxiety, but of course you rule out any potential physical causes first. GPs are very understanding in my experience, so if you make a GP appointment for next week, ask them to look at thyroid and anything else that might be causing it, as well as asking for advice on managing your anxiety.

The deep breathing technique that has helped me when I'm getting physical symptoms is to:

breathe in through nose for count of 4
hold for count of 16 (quick!)
breathe out of mouth for count of 8

This should help to slow things down. It's a bit complicated, so I suspect it works by distracting me!

Have you got an underlying issue/stress that could be causing your anxiety to peak like this? Getting some talking therapy could help you to identify and resolve the cause (with the anxiety being the symptom), as well as building up some coping/self-management strategies.

Hope you find something that helps soon - I know how distressing it can feel.

[mkz10]

I have hyperthyroidism from Graves Disease. My early symptoms were

feeling of lump in throat
feeling of dizziness and lightheaded
feeling of shaking internally
dry mouth
racing heart
insomnia
moody and weepy
forgetful
loss of concentration
loss of libido

Didn't go to doctor cause I thought it was stress, was going through a stressful time.

Then it progressed to

Loss of muscle, specifically in upper arms and thighs, if I crouched down for any reason, I could not get back up.
Dry eyes
Severe palpitations
breathlessness at the slightest exertion (pushing a trolley in the supermarket)
confusion.
severe weight loss
External tremors
Ankle swelling.
Rages
Going to the bathroom multiple times per day for a poo.

Finally went to GP who had me transferred from surgery to A&E because my heart rate was running at 178, diagnosed with Graves Disease.

[Celeriacacaca]

I've had this over past 18 months and have realised mine is stress/anxiety related. It's recently come back which has coincided with something that's going on in our lives. I call it my fur ball as it fees like some sort of object at the base of my throat It's more 'relaxed' in the mornings but becomes more noticeable as the day progresses.

[Tsc1929]

I've no idea what mine could be, I seriously don't feel anxious or stress apart from being anxious about this lol! Seeing dr again on weds, in work and feeling so breathless, it's horrible

[itsnothingoriginal]

Not sure about the breathlessness but wondered if you'd been taking any high strength vit C recently? I had similar symptoms - feeling of something stuck in my throat and difficulty swallowing and it turned out the vit C had burnt my esophagus!

[daughterofliz]

Tsc, your symptoms are exactly what I experienced when I had anxiety. I believe it really was anxiety because almost as soon as the doctor rold me she thought that was what I had, almost all the symptoms just went away without the need for any treatment!

[MrsFlorrick]

Thyroid issue. Would explain the lumpy throat feeling and dizzy spells etc.

Go and see your GP.

[RubberDuck]

Does an antacid ease the feeling in the throat?

I only ask, because I have bad reflux and gastritis and this is exactly how my throat feels. The acid travelling up the throat damages the soft tissue and the muscles can go into spasm as a result.

I also have anxiety issues and think it's likely that anxiety triggered the gastritis/reflux. Definitely worth getting an appointment to check it out.

[MillerWong]

First off, Im sorry for bring up this 3 y/o topic.

Brief story:
-I have been experiencing the exact same thing like some of you did since this year.
-Went to ENT once, at night the "feeling" gone, but now its back
-I did some research, it could be Tight Throat Feeling Anxiety, but like Tsc I dont even feel anxious or stress.
-Did a blood test, everything is fine including Cortisol(to indicate stress level)

My symptoms:
-tight throat or choking(of course its not 24/7 but you know its there and it will surprise you occasionally)
-feels like drinking water doesnt quench thirst sorta like the back of your throat dont get moisture by the water
-heart palpitations sometimes

If any of you have/had experienced this, please I genuinely need your advice.