posted
I occasionally get the feeling that my throat is closing up, and I have a very difficult time swallowing. It's hard to explain, but it almost feels as if I forgot how to swallow. I have to really think about swallowing... Today, it has been worse than usual... The funny thing is I don't feel like it is an allergic reaction, because it just comes and goes at different times, and i can't associate it with anything external...
Does anybody else get this symptom? While it's very unnerving, it always eventually goes away. Is there anything I should be watching out for?
-------------------- Lyme IgM: +18, +31, +34, +39, ++41, +58 and 83-93 is Indeterminate.
Currently pulsing IV Flagyl and Rocephin. As well as daily Mepron and Azithromycin. Posts: 34 | From New York, NY | Registered: Mar 2010
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Are you sure it's not an allergy to one of your meds? I'd ask your LLMD.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
I have gotten these and sometimes still do. I think it is do do esophegeal spasms that actually are occurring throughout the G.I. track where a lot of these infections are hibernating.
There is something called "Bells Palsy of The gut" There is an article written by Virginia Sherr an LLMD psychiatrist about it. You can type her name into the search bar and it will come up.
I have seen others post about the same symptoms in the past. I don't think it's an allergic reaction either.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I have read many, many posts where people have said they have forgotten how to swallow. So, it is a common lyme symptom.
posted
This happened to me. I had spasms in all of my digestive system . Right from the esophagus down to the rectum. It has gotten better with Lyme treatment. I would mention it to the llmd in case it is an allergy. It could very well be what I had.
-------------------- gatorade girl
"I still have Mt.Everest to climb, but I have traveled across the world and arrived at the mountain". Posts: 633 | From baltimore | Registered: Mar 2010
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-------------------- 3 months Doxy 8 months of Tetra 7 months of Biaxin/Plaq. 4 months Doxy/Biaxin/Plaq. 5 months Biaxin/Plaq. Back on Doxy/Biax/Plaq On the road to recovery. Trying to make people Lyme Aware....... Posts: 289 | From R.I. | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Seems like it could be a lyme symptom, but that could also indicate an allergy to a med. You are not having trouble breathing, though, right?
-------------------- ? date of bite/no rash 10/09 symptoms, 4/10 diagnosed, after 6 mos. ER visits, tons of docs/tests CDC+ 23/39/41/45/58/66/93 currently on oral plaquenil, doryx, rifampin, pyrazinamide, nystatin, numerous supplements Posts: 718 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2010
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-------------------- Lyme IgM: +18, +31, +34, +39, ++41, +58 and 83-93 is Indeterminate.
Currently pulsing IV Flagyl and Rocephin. As well as daily Mepron and Azithromycin. Posts: 34 | From New York, NY | Registered: Mar 2010
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
As others have mentioned, sounds like CNS issues to me.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
With my last Lyme relapse in Dec. 2009, I began to have a hard time swallowing, so much so that I only drank a few sips of protein shake for a few weeks. My ability to swallow came back as the "attack" subsided. I still have some muscle spasms in the throat area but I can swallow.. stay on your treatment...I never had "paralysis" or was unable to swallow..it was just...difficult..now good best of luck, will get better, drink nutritious shakes if you have to
Posts: 172 | From ohio | Registered: Feb 2010
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
One thought to add to the above: H. Pylori. Have you been tested? That was one of my mother's symptoms.
But it's also a common Lyme symptom, so that's the most likely answer.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I have had this symptom on and off since I became ill 4 years ago. For me I believe it is caused by lyme.
I think it starts out as either an irritated cranial nerve or perhaps inflammation in the throat. I think because it can cause you to feel anxious that the anxiety can magnify the feeling of the throat closing up.
When I have it my throat starts out feeling tight or even like a slight sore throat is coming on. Something just doesn't feel right. Then at its worse it feels like it is closing up and sometimes it feels harder to swallow.
After 2 years of treatment, I have this symptom less often.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
A symptom often associated with babesia.
Check with your LLMD in case of allergic reaction.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I'm pretty certain it not an allergic reaction. It comes and goes, and I'm not changing anything. I've learned to deal with it, in that I don't go into a full panic. The good thing is, I've never had trouble breathing from it, so it's pretty much isolated in the throat. I find if I'm able to stay calm and just have some water on hand it eventually subsides...
-------------------- Lyme IgM: +18, +31, +34, +39, ++41, +58 and 83-93 is Indeterminate.
Currently pulsing IV Flagyl and Rocephin. As well as daily Mepron and Azithromycin. Posts: 34 | From New York, NY | Registered: Mar 2010
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I've had that and it went away with babesia treatment.
I would feel like I was unable to swallow.
Throat would feel tight.
Immediate panic.
It happened once when driving my two young children in the car.
I thought I was going to pass out or get into an accident.
It is a frightening feeling.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I have been tested for H-pylori, have asked my LLMD about Bells Palsy of the gut and he didn't feel that it was my problem.
I don't have problems swallowing food or drink, but rather, my problem is trying to swallow the normal saliva that everyone needs to swallow. I have to put my head at odd angles, or squeeze my throat from the outside and other weird things.
I am seeing an ENT guy next week for ear problems and wondered if I should mention it. Seems to me that they may be related.
-------------------- "Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love". Mother Theresa
posted
OMG! This is so strange because something told me to look on the LymeNet board before I did an internet search on this!!
These past two to three weeks I have been having a hard time swallowing because it feels like my throat is tight ( especially noticeable when I take a drink).
I don't believe it is an allergic reaction, but I will mention that I tested positive for Babesia, and I may even have Lyme too.
I noticed someone mentioned Babesia or Lyme can cause this and I will be very interested to know if this is really true. I have an appointment with my LLMD next Monday, so I will run it by him.
I will let everyone know how it goes!
~Kalynn~
Posts: 18 | From Connecticut | Registered: Nov 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I know exactly what you are going through. This has been one of my most annoying symptoms. My throat would feel just like it was closing up. On a good day it just felt really tight.
After 2 years of treatment it started to improve. I only treated Babesia for a couple of months, so for me it would seem that it is a lyme symptom or maybe bart.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
My throat closed up in the last hour or so of sleep, just before waking... exactly 4 weeks to the Day after 2 adult male deer ticks got engorged on my belly overnight. I almost passed out from asphixiation. The swelling went down as I wakened further, thank GOd (&, Boy, did I awaken!!) and I was able to breathe O.K again.
This never re-occurred that I recall, though plenty of other symptoms showed their face in the months ahead.
My & my N.D.'s theory is that the area around the thyroid (in the throat, just below the adam's apple & in front of the windpipe) was inflammed from my early-AM immune response to B.B. infiltrating the thyroid.
Not sure if this is your issue. Just thought I'd mention it.
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I agree with Gael. It is spasms for me too. If I take a xanax during an episode it calms right down. It stems from my upper back muscles they are really tight. If I massage them too hard the spasms start.
Posts: 433 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
I have had it on and off for over 10 years. I think it is spasms caused by irritation somewhere in the nervous system or upper GI tract. It resolved after babesia tx but, alas, it has come back after becoming re-infected.
Posts: 184 | From CT | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I've had this on and off for over 24 years. It has gotten better after years of treating lyme.
Mine is caused by imflammation. If I take an Aleve it will usually clear it right up.
Kathy
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
A friend of mine had that....treatment for HHV-6 and enteroviruses solved the problem for her.
Best, Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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