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Original poster

Anyone experienced throat problems with anxiety and/or perimenopause?

41 replies

Mellowyell292 · 17/07/2022 20:56

I've been having problems with a sore/tight throat for over a year now. GP says everything looks fine. I'm also very anxious and suspect peri menopausal.

I dont know if the throat issues are being made worse by the anxiety or could possibly be caused by a hormone crash.

I've started on Escitolopram so I'm hoping that might help but wondered if anyone else had experienced similar.

OP posts:
Perlunk · 17/07/2022 21:05

Yes, me!

It’s another delight of the perimenopause.

Weakened sphincter at top of stomach results in silent reflux overnight, which cause slight but persistent damage to throat and larynx due to acids.

I take Omeprazole daily, stay upright after meals, walk before bedtime, drink lots and lots of water, and avoid alcohol and acidic drinks like orange juice.

If I have to talk for more than an hour straight it gets worse, and when I’m tired it’s worse too.

Sore scratchy throat, persistent cough, and sometimes a mild fever for added fun.

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 17/07/2022 21:16

Perlunk · 17/07/2022 21:05

Yes, me!

It’s another delight of the perimenopause.

Weakened sphincter at top of stomach results in silent reflux overnight, which cause slight but persistent damage to throat and larynx due to acids.

I take Omeprazole daily, stay upright after meals, walk before bedtime, drink lots and lots of water, and avoid alcohol and acidic drinks like orange juice.

If I have to talk for more than an hour straight it gets worse, and when I’m tired it’s worse too.

Sore scratchy throat, persistent cough, and sometimes a mild fever for added fun.

Thankyou for your reply! How did you figure that out? I've been going round in circles. I've not tried an antacid yet, I thought I'd do one thing at a time. I've just changed my toothpaste thinking it was maybe an allergy to that.

I've got this permanent sore throat, sicky, tight feeling. No cough but I do need to clear my throat a lot. My mouth kind of feels thick.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 17/07/2022 21:18

Perlunk do you also mind me asking how old you are? I'm only 42, GP says too young for it to be peri and I'm too young for HRT.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Menopause Women's health
Getintoyou · 17/07/2022 21:22

Anxiety I reckon was down to peri, but I had omeprazole for a while too and it really helped.

Original poster
Mellowyell292 · 17/07/2022 21:27

Getintoyou · 17/07/2022 21:22

Anxiety I reckon was down to peri, but I had omeprazole for a while too and it really helped.

Were you experiencing throat problems?

OP posts:
Herani · 17/07/2022 21:48

Could it be a result of your throat/tissues being dry due to declining oestrogen? What amazed me was how dry my eyes suddenly became - I had conjunctivitis three times in three months due to peri and dry eyes. I didn’t even know it was a ‘thing’. I use HRT now and it has helped, but still use lubricating eye drops. If I accidentally poke or get something in my eye they get really sore.

Compostbin · 17/07/2022 21:51

Ah! This makes so much sense
I keep thinking I’ve got covid. Never had so many dry/slightly uncomfortable throats. Same age
and anxiety getting worse by the month

Getintoyou · 17/07/2022 21:53

Huge throat problems, as in I thought I couldn't breathe. Terrified I had allergies and my throat was closing up. It was definitely a combination of anxiety and reflux.

ForAFriend123 · 17/07/2022 21:55

Perlunk · 17/07/2022 21:05

Yes, me!

It’s another delight of the perimenopause.

Weakened sphincter at top of stomach results in silent reflux overnight, which cause slight but persistent damage to throat and larynx due to acids.

I take Omeprazole daily, stay upright after meals, walk before bedtime, drink lots and lots of water, and avoid alcohol and acidic drinks like orange juice.

If I have to talk for more than an hour straight it gets worse, and when I’m tired it’s worse too.

Sore scratchy throat, persistent cough, and sometimes a mild fever for added fun.

Out of interest how did you connect your throat issues to silent reflux? Can you feel it?

Aquamarine1029 · 17/07/2022 22:03

Mellowyell292 · 17/07/2022 21:18

Perlunk do you also mind me asking how old you are? I'm only 42, GP says too young for it to be peri and I'm too young for HRT.

OMG, yet another absolutely WORTHLESS gp. I get so angry every time a woman posts this, I could just scream. You are not too young, op. Perhaps a bit younger than most, but peri can last for 10 years or more before full menopause.

My Peri started at 40, and I was on HRT by 41. I'm still on it now at 49. I had absolutely crippling anxiety because of it, bye, which I had never had before.

I implore you to go to a private Peri/menopause clinic if at all possible. Do not be fobbed off by these ignorant gp's.

RavenT · 17/07/2022 22:06

Me! And I have never connected it to peri,.... but I am 45 and problems started 18 months ago.

I get an intermittent lump in throat feeling, deeply uncomfortable, to the point where I can't sleep. It can go on for days, then disappear, and I don't know why. I have a history of tonsillitis, but this is quite a different feeling. I tried prescription antacids which had no effect and also got referred for an endoscopy. I do have a slightly enlarged tonsil but have had it for many years.... The end result was they couldn't find a reason.

I have recently started hrt so will monitor it. Mine is intermittent, but it can be really uncomfortable.

Perlunk · 18/07/2022 12:06

I got lucky and had a GP who knew what she was about.

We ruled out covid, then asthma, then she asked me about digestion and hormones.

I’m on HRT now (via private consult just to get the expertise faster) and that helps. But I do a lot to look after it and prevent it getting more erosion symptoms.

I’d never heard of it and was profoundly grateful to know what it was so I could manage it better.

A few friends have similar symptoms but their GPs have not diagnosed as meno related. Including one older woman who has been plagued by throat problems since around 50.

My peri symptoms started at 42 and I also was told it was not that and I was too young.

I’m also too young for arthritis and joint replacements but I have them too.

longtompot · 18/07/2022 12:19

About 6 years ago (aged about 44) I found I suddenly couldn't swallow even a sip of the red wine I was drinking for my birthday. I also couldn't eat any foods without chewing for ages and almost gearing myself up to swallow, even ready brek! I lived on cup a soups and very watery ready brek for I can't remember how long now, but it was months. When I could start to eat, it was only small amounts and would have tiny portions on my plate. It would also take me over an hour to eat. I lost 10kg in that time, which I needed to do but it was a really bad way to go about it.
During this time I went to my gp about my periods, very heavy bleeding. I had a blood test and discovered I was anaemic. After looking into anaemia one of the symptoms is throat tightening and difficulty swallowing, along with a lot of the other issues I was having like itchy skin and anxiety. When the anaemia was a bit more under control I found my symptoms were also under control. I still get the swallowing issue when I get stressed and anxious but I know it will pass. It might be worth getting your bloods done to rule this out.

stilldumdedumming · 18/07/2022 12:44

Oh! I am finding my throat seems to suddenly close - not entirely obviously but enough to make me start. Especially when I relax or am about to drop off to sleep. I am menopausal. I've never had HRT but I've recently complained to my surgery about that and they will look at it got me again soon.

Is this what we are talking about here?

ohblowmedown · 18/07/2022 12:48

Oh, this is interesting. I've had what I've assumed was post nasal drip for two years which sounds very similar, I'm always having to clear my throat!

Went to the doctors and they have had me on various steroid sprays, drops, antihistamines etc, none of it works. I'm now wondering if it could be gastro related (and im menopausal!)

SheilaWilde · 18/07/2022 15:11

I'm
So glad I found this thread! I'm 52 and have had throat problems for a few years. I put it down to anxiety (which I never really had). It didn't occur to me that it could be my menopause related.

DoingJustFine · 18/07/2022 15:18

I had a weird, tight throat when oerimenopausal and ended up having a camera down there. The lovely consultant said (before the procedure) that he expected to find nothing wrong, and that my symptoms were very common in women my age.

My throat was fine but I only stopped panicking about choking after I saw the scan photos and had had the all-clear.

novacancy3 · 18/07/2022 15:33

Me too. Started when I was 45. Comes and goes depending on what's going on in my life and how anxious I am. Also had tests, cut out alcohol, changed my diet, lost weight etc etc, but nothing has made any difference. I've also been on hrt for a few years now and this hasn't cured it. PPIs don't make any difference. Seems it's something I now have to live with.

toomanychickens · 23/09/2022 18:05

Mellowyell292 Has the Escitolopram helped? I'm 50 and have had this tight throat come and go over several months. I'm definitely peri and am also stressed & anxious due to work and teenager's mental health issues. I don't know if I need an antidepressant or hrt! Throat feels bad today and my neck is so tense.

Scottishwidow193 · 23/09/2022 20:01

toomanychickens · 23/09/2022 18:05

Mellowyell292 Has the Escitolopram helped? I'm 50 and have had this tight throat come and go over several months. I'm definitely peri and am also stressed & anxious due to work and teenager's mental health issues. I don't know if I need an antidepressant or hrt! Throat feels bad today and my neck is so tense.

Hi toomany, I'm the OP (have named changed since I started this thread).

Yes! I cant believe the difference its made. I do still get the throat sensations but its like my brain has switched off from being focused on them so they just don't bother me as much. My anxiety is so much better too. I'm on 10mg.

Scottishwidow193 · 23/09/2022 20:07

I'm also doing some throat relaxation exercises which help a lot too. Look up Lax Vox on YouTube. You basically vocalise through a straw into a bottle with a couple of inches of water. Sounds mad but it really helps.

toomanychickens · 23/09/2022 20:15

Thanks for replying. Glad it worked. I'll have a look at YouTube.

PauseMenopause · 23/09/2022 23:00

I have the mucous in throat thing which drives me potty - throat clearing all the time, worse in evenings. I’ve self-diagnosed it as LPR - started way past menopause and HRT didn’t help. Tests show everything is normal. I don’t have the patience for diet plans, but apparently low acid diet and alkaline water help. I understand pepsin is the issue, so PPIs may not be helpful - all gleaned from Dr Google so may not be accurate.

Perimom · 12/12/2022 03:53

Hi I have been getting throat tightness that comes and goes. I am at a lost what is causing my tightness. I feel so alone and sad until I found your post. Mine feels like a tight muscle in the front and sides of the throat neck. The feeling is like when you get emotional and are about to tear up you get that hardness in the throat like all choked up. I’m 51 years old and should be at the end of peri menopause. Did you ever figure out the cause of your tightness?

BreakingPointAgain · 12/12/2022 05:26

Worth everyone getting thyroid tests too as that can cause throat discomfort.