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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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Add a Comment56 Comments
this can be sjogrens? I have watery eyes rather than dry right now, but the strangulation sensation again... can you expound? ty in advance
November 14, 2017 - 1:28amThis Comment
I am a 47 yr old female and I have these same symptoms and so far no one can figure it out. My TSH labs for thyroid go from being in the hyperthyroid realm back to barely in the normal range. About 20 years ago graves disease was thought to be the issue but my thyroid went back to normal ranges for over 9 years until this past January. The feeling of something being around my neck started approx December of 2016. January 2017 the pain started, my voice started get crackly sounding due to the mucous that I can't seem to swallow. It feels like the right side of my throat is not working right and swallowing is a chore. My larynx feels like I am being choked constantly or that I have something around my neck. My ears hurt off and on a lot as well. Went to PCP, Endo, and ENT. Thyroid US, thyroid labs, thyroid uptake, CT scan, Barium Swallow, and sinus xray and still no answer. I read about thyroid nodules affecting the nerves in throat but that it was rare and now I feel that doctors aren't even looking for this. Of course I never had the scans, uptakes, swallowing test or thyroid US before so what they are being compared to is a mystery to me. The pain/discomfort is constant. My job requires I talk most of the day which seems to make it ten times worse. I catch subconsciously reaching for my throat so I must be doing it all throughout the day. Tilting my head down makes my larynx feel like I am jamming it down my throat or that it is hitting the back of my throat. More often that usual I have things "going down the wrong pipe" I was never prone to headaches unless I had sinus infection but I get weird headaches now that seem to coincide with more throat pain. I wish to find an answer to what is going on!
May 19, 2017 - 7:12amThis Comment
Hi, Have you found out what is causing this strangulation feeling? You sound just like me, but I haven't started any testing besides thyroid. My dr says I am hyperthyroid and also have pituitary disfunction. This is literally driving me crazy and is very scary.
December 11, 2017 - 3:14pmThis Comment
Did you ever find out what was wrong?
September 29, 2017 - 8:12amhave you checked for Arnold chiara
This Comment
Hi, I have been having this feeling in my neck of being strangled but also a lot of chest pain but the hospital so far can not find anything wrong. They have told me this could be stress/anxiety related but I don't feel stressed or anxious. My neck also feels as if it needs to click all the time & on the odd occasion it might click, the sensation of feeling strangled goes away for a few mins. I also have slight upper back pain & most days I have bad headaches. This has been pretty much every day for 3 months & is beginning to make me feel very depressed.
June 9, 2017 - 1:43amThis Comment
What could be the problem ???:( The doctors dont get it !
February 17, 2018 - 11:15amThis Comment
I have exact same feeling. Did CT scan awaiting results. My cardiologist said there was somethings there!! Now I’m worried. I went to emergence and doctor 20 times this past summer! They all say anxiety. They are giving me anxiety
October 20, 2017 - 2:34pmThis Comment
I have had those exact symptoms....feels like you are being strangled... The pains only lasted a few seconds at a time, but I would get them about 10 times a day. Went thru all kinds of testing, including an EKG and a stress test, both on which were normal. About two weeks after the EKG and stress test, I had a heart attack. I was at work and the pains came on as they had been, but this time they didn't go away, but just got stronger and stronger. There was a blockage in one of my arteries, which is why the pains were in my neck, and tests could not see it unless I was having pains at the same time. I was in my 40's with no history of heart disease. Please don't ignore getting your heart checked out if you are having these pains
April 21, 2017 - 9:27amThis Comment
I get this feeling after I eat certain things. Milk is a big one. Can breath but it's really odd strangulating feeling. Nothing seems swollen. I've had tummy issues too and seems that FODMAP foods bring on this problem.
March 6, 2017 - 3:11amThis Comment
I have exactly the same symptomps you.I dont know when did you write down this thread and do you still have all of these but I'd like to be informed about your illness.Hope you'd see this and reply me.
January 2, 2017 - 12:25amThis Comment