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Beginning December, 2010, I have been to my primary care physician, a gastronologist, endocrinologist, ears, nose and throat doctor and a neurologist.
It was discovered I had polyps on the right side of my thyroid. I had an ultrasound and biopsy and they were not cancerous. However, the endocrinologist said the polyps should not be causing my strangling sensation. He referred me to a gastronologist. I had an endoscopic procedure performed and all was well. No acid reflex, GERD, tumor, etc. He referred me to an otolaryngologist. Through an additional ultrasound, it was discovered the nodules were growing. It was determined my thyroid should be removed and it was thought it would eliviate the strangling sensation. On June 22, 2011, I had half of my thyroid removed. During a follow up visit, I infomred the doctor I was still feeling like I am being strangled. He said there was some swelling and give it about a month (which I did). I then went back to him and he put me on Prilosec and sent me for a barium ?? procedure. All was normal. My new PCP examined me and took an x-ray of my nectk. He noticed something in the back of my neck that might possibly be causing the sensation in the front of my neck. He sent me for a neck MRI. He put me on Celebrex (to reduce inflammation - if any). I had the neck MRI and after review the PCP - sent me to a neurologist. I went to the neurologist earlier in the week. He said neurologically speaking, I was fine and he didn't feel the vertebras were causing my discomfort. I am at a lost as to where to go or what to do next. Some of my smyptoms are as follows: It originally felt like I as wearing a high turtle nectk sweater that was too tight or I had a scarf on and it was pulled too tight. I have difficulty swallowing saliva (golf ball in throat feeling), but have a lesser problem swallowing water or eating. At all times, it now feels like someone is strangling me - somethimes mild to extreme. I do not feel like I am choking. It has never felt like it is on the interior of my throat. It has always felt like it is on the exterior of my throat and the interior of my neck (if that makes any sense.) Some of my other symptoms are like Cricophanyngea Spasm, however two doctors say I do not have that. I had cosmetic surgery three and a half years ago (with no compliations) and went back to the plastic surgeon to inquire if he had ever seen this side effect before and could make a recommendation. No suggestion was made. Before this issue, I have been extremely healthy - with the exception of glaucoma. I have glaucoma in both eyes and have used drops for about ten years and have had surgery on my right eye. I am 59 years old, good health - no high blood pressure, heart disease, sugar diabetes, etc. I'm 5'7" / 150 lbs, non-smoker and an occasional cocktail. No medication except eye drops and minor vitamins (calcium, etc.) Should you have questions or require additional information, please contact me at [Personal Information removed for privacy]
Thank you for your possible assistance. I look forward to hearing from someone.
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I still have the symptoms. Some days are better than others. No doctor has found the cause of whatever it is.
April 22, 2017 - 11:39pmThis Comment
Hi, I have this same constant strangle (not choking) sensation.
February 27, 2017 - 9:16amIt started with a severe headache lasting 4 days then seemed to settle in the front of my neck. I also have upper back pain and chest fullness.
I can't tell where the problem originates. Neck, chest, gastro?
I've seen a MD who says GERD, but also ordered a neck CT scan. I've seen a cardio who ordered a stress test in a couple weeks. I see a gastroenterologist tomorrow.
This has been going on 6 weeks now with no change and it started overnight with nothing to initiate it that I can think of.
Not good.
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I am having the exact problem you describe, started about 7 weeks ago. Tests booked no answers yet. What have you discovered?
April 22, 2017 - 10:22pmThis Comment
It's been over 5 months now with no relief. I also have neck pain with the strangling feeling.
June 26, 2017 - 3:42pmI've seen a Gastro and had a barium swallow, ENT and had a Laryngoscopy. Neither resulted in anything.
I went to a different primary care Dr who diagnosed
MuscularSkeletal issue and referred me to a physical therapist along with muscle relaxers.
PT gave me temporary relief that only lasted a few hours after the appointment.
I then was referred to a physiatrist who ordered an MRI. After that horrific experience, the physiatrist said she didn't see anything on the MRI that would cause all of my symptoms, although I do have bulging discs and narrowing at the joints.
She tried to refer me to a nuerologist and I refused.
I've since had a steroid injection to relieve inflammation caused by possible pinched nerve.
I'm still in pain, have numbness down my right arm and feel I'm wearing a cement collar around my neck or being strangled.
I don't think this will ever end.
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hi, been having this same problem for about 2 weeks now, was on and off, now constant. Had put it down to stress and now I am even more stressed dealing with it. I can sometimes forget it for a while ( if I am busy) and it tends to ease overnight but I don't feel stressed in other ways! Have not had great success at the docs with other odd aliments so have not yet been but getting so fed up with it i feel I have to. So glad to find this thread, anyone had any further results or any clues to the possible cause? I have not changed my diet or recently but I have had to take a lot of painkillers over a long period due to a frozen shoulder, and I have changed my HRT to Everol conti. Any one else had a similar senario?
May 20, 2017 - 6:56amThis Comment
Mine started with a series of stressful events. It did go away for a week and now back again... same symptoms as you. My Dr. said it is due to high anxiety but okay, when will it go away!?!? Have you have any luck yet?
June 12, 2017 - 9:51amThis Comment
I have the same problem. I haven't any any facial surgery. I'm having a cardio eccogram on Tuesday to see if it is related to a possible cardiac problem. An ultrasound showed the thyroid is ok. It's terrible when it hits at 2 am. I've been put on Valium to try and relax the muscles. It's getting progressively worse since a holiday in Europe earlier this year. My blood pressure has been playing up as well. One day it's so high I could fly the next it is so low I don't know how I'm still upright and breathing
December 17, 2016 - 12:09amThis Comment
Hi, can you say what your echo showed. I'm having one in a week for the same symptoms.
March 2, 2017 - 7:02amThanks!
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Did you ever find out what was wrong with - my son has the same found out he has Chiara
September 29, 2017 - 8:17amThis Comment
I have the exact same symptoms and I also had plastic surgery on my face - I definitely think this is related - I can feel all the muscles the doctor worked on in the cosmetic surgery contract and this causes the feeling of strangulation - whether this is caused by reflux that creates a spasm in the muscles leading to the strangling / choking feeling I don't know - ppi's were not helpful for me (though I stopped them after 2 weeks because they weren't doing anything) Nexium gave me severe muscle pain I plan to go see an Otolaryngologist as I don't think this is a gastro problem - I had this problem back in 2009 but it went away - this time it's back with a vengeance! Not sure what to do...
October 18, 2016 - 5:20pmThis Comment