Lump in throat feeling

[Anxiousmum09]

I’ve looked at lots of thread and I think it’s globus that I’m suffering from.

I do suffer hugely from health anxiety but I’m in such a panic right now.

I have a feeling as if there’s a lump in my throat, started out not so bad now last month and it was coming and going but not it’s constant and feels like it’s getting bigger or that my thrust is more swollen.

I can feel no physical lumps from the outside, the only relief I get is when eating.

I thought I noticed myself clearing my throat more than usual for the last few months. A slight hoarseness that only I notice and it’s intermittent. Went to GP twice and put on inhalers, steroids, antihistamines as suspected allergies.

had a mild chest/ear infection in October and had chest wheezing for a while but that seems to have cleared.

I started taking OTC acid relief tablets but this last week the sensation of the lump has come on really strong.

Obviously I’ve googled it and prettified it’s throat cancer as I’m worried the throat clearing and lump in throat sensation are sinister and now the mild ear ache has tipped me over the edge.

I’ve another Drs appointment next Friday so I’m hoping to get a referral for further investigation if needed.

Anyone have these symptoms and turned out ok? I’m trying hard to reassure myself that as I can eat fine it must be anxiety rebated globus.

Sorry to hear you have anxiety.
Do you think it might be reflux? You seem to have some similar symptoms to GERD.

I had something similar years ago. Convinced myself it was throat cancer. Got sent for an endoscope. Clear. Diagnosed with globus. Followed help leaflet. All fine. I had reflux too.

Health anxiety is awful, I have suffered several periods of it. If you have that, it's so easy for any symptom to become hugely magnified.
I think that can be particularly true of a globus, the more you focus on the sensation, the greater the tension in your throat feels.
Obviously, it's good you're getting all this investigated - but I had a Globus a few years back that turned out to be nothing. I'll never know for sure, but I think the whole thing was caused by anxiety.
So try not to worry and hopefully the doctors can put your mind at rest.
All the best!

I suffered from this and its a horrible feeling . It stopped me from eating certain things and really made me anxious. I was diagnosed with reflux and took medication which helped. Gradually it improved as l grew less anxious about it, l stopped the medication and now l am fine. It was a vicious circle as the more l felt it the more anxious l got the worse it got.
I think if you had cancer it would show up in blood tests so likely to be reflux.
I found doing exercise helped to reduce anxiety and there is a few things l still don't eat as l am nervous of that choking feeling coming back.
But overall its gone!

Thanks @jalopy @TartanTerrier @beccahamlet @junebirthdaygirl it means a lot that you’ve taken the time to reply.

I’ve just gone down this rabbit hole and seems like I can’t get out until I have all the tests done which could be weeks or even months.

it’s all consuming as it’s with every swallow and I’m just hyper aware of it.

As I said I just can’t seem to get any relief.

did you all have the feeling constantly when it was at its worst?

Have just had endoscopy for this - all clear . I do have hiatus hernia and gerd but mostly just awful awful anxiety . Gaviscon Advance ( you have to buy it from behind the pharmacy counter ) has helped as it lines the throat . But more than anything it’s the anxiety . I’m on meds that help but look into somatic healing as it’s making a massive difference as to how I (over) react to symptoms . Massive unmumsnetty hugs as the lump feeling is crap and makes you swallow more air and make it worse

I’ll look into that, I need to do something for my anxiety. I tried therapy a few years back and it didn’t help much.

Was it very painful some days? I’m not sure if I’d call it pain or just pressure if that makes sense. Just so bad these last few days. On the verge of going to A&E but know they’ll just tell me go back to GP for referral.

It could well be that because you're hyper aware, you're making it into something it's not.
When I realised my globus was nothing to worry about, I stopped noticing the sensation. I've had this with other sensations too, which makes you realise how closely connected the mind and body are.
Throat cancer is unlikely... as you admit you have anxiety, much more likely to be that!!
Hope you can stop worrying a little, I know it's horrible when you get into that mindset. It's all consuming.
I rarely Google anything medical now as I know it will set me off!

Yes it could be painful but really it was me magnifying every symptom . If there is a bit of stomach acid coming into the throat and aggravating it then it will hurt a little but the anxiety will possibly be making you feel it much worse . It’s worth seeing the GP and see if stomach medication helps

I had the same! I was dealing with a great deal of stress at the time. Turned out to be a hiatus hernia.
GP prescribed Lansoprazole and it's much better.

Ive had this, it does go away x

@user12345678901234 @wagnbobble I’m going to ask the GP to put me on something for reflux while I’m waiting for an ENT referral as I could be waiting months.

It’s just hard to shake the feeling like there’s something wrong.

Thanks everyone for all your replies. It means a lot.

Do you have acid reflux or a burning in your chest? Are you swallowing okay? Has your voice changed? I'd go back to the doctors money and ask for an urgent two week referral for an endoscopy.

This sounds like GERD symptoms I've had. I had x-ray and other tests and there's no physical lumps or obstruction.
And my wife has had similar - lump in the throat feeling the doc called 'Globus'.

@Ejismyf I’ve an appointment booked for Friday.

I’m based in Ireland and there’s no such thing as an urgent referral or 2/6 week waiting time. This is what I miss most about the UK.

I could be waiting 12-18 months for an appointment. Even going private (which I will) I’ll be waiting a couple of month.

I have no difficulty swallowing or eating etc. I do think at times I have very mild hoarseness but no one else has noticed this.

@PToosher everyone else here seems to think it’s GERD like you/your wife so I’m hoping that’s all it is.

I have a hiatus hernia too which caused the reflux. He more l concentrated on it the worst it got. I am in lreland too . Just to encourage you my sensation is gone but while it was at its height the anxiety was terrible. I hope you get help soon.

@Anxiousmum09 how are you feeling any better?

@anx12345 I’m feeling a bit better. The huge pressure sensation has gotten better, definitely still there but the huge pressure has gone.

Went to see a new GP yesterday. She was lovely, she has referred me for a scope which I will pay for privately and hopefully get it done in the next 6 weeks.

She thinks it’s silent reflux or some kind of GORd/GERD.

I had started on nexium and had no idea it would get worse initially so that was the bad pressure last week. Apparently the dosage of that is t high enough so would just make it worse so she told me stop that.

She has prescribed lansoprozal so I’ll start on that Monday as the chemist had run out.

I’m still thinking the worst, I will be like that until I have the scope but they mad pain is definitely better since stopping the medium.

Aww bless glad your feeling better in yourself and hopefully the new tabs will work what mg are you on

@anx12345 I’m on 40mg to start. Apparently these too will initially make me feel worse but at least I’m prepared for it and won’t be worried about the added pressure feeling once I start taking the tablets.

@Anxiousmum09 are you been referred for a camera

@anx12345 an update for all.

I had an endoscope performed today and everything came back normal.

I tried Lansoprosol but found they just didn’t work, I tried them for 3 weeks and it made the lump sensation feel worse.

I’m hoping if I make dietary changes I can get a handle on everything.

as I still have the symptoms I’m having a niggling worry about lung cancer as symptoms are similar so may ask for a referral for a chest x ray as I’m sick of the cycle of worry but have some relief this evening.

I had to go private and was worth every penny

OP how old are you? Health anxiety can intensify In perimenopause. If that might be you you may wish to consider HRT

@PToosher hi did you have a X-ray to see if you had a lump in throat