Topic: Swollen uvula, thing in the back of throat and choking feeling
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I went to my regular GP today because I keep getting that choking feeling. Thought it might be thrush or yeast in the throat because I had this before. He just looked in my throat and said he could tell I didn't have a yeast infection. Oh really??? He didn't even swab it.
He said my "uvula" the thingy in the back of your throat was very swollen and that could make me feel like I'm choking. We that part makes sense. He said it might be H-pylori; but I have never heard of H-pylori making your uvula swell. Anyway I am waiting to find out if I have HP. Should know later today. He said if not, it might be esophagitis(sp)and if so I could just take some prilosec.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Does any of this make sense?
My LLMD is a 6 hour trip. I am going to call him tomorrow,(since his office is closed today) and see what he thinks. My LLMD won't give me anything for thrush without swabbing my throat first. I already called him yesterday.
Its like its a never ending array of symptoms and problems. The last thing in the world I was expecting was a swollen uvula. Could Lyme cause it to swell? I mean it causes inflammation anywhere it chooses doesn't it? It is so very miserable. Feels just like I am choking to death.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Leelee
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I get that and it scares me. I think it is Babesia-related in me.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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Silverwolf
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Hi <<<<< Sutherngrl and Leelee >>>>>,
I get this from time to time,especially w/ weather changes,not sure what causes it.
It has also happened, severely when I became allergic to penicillin drugs. The Dr. didn't realize it at first [happened in my teens].
Can you drink any form of teas or coffees? Sometimes the warmth from a good cup of tea or coffee can help sooth the swelling a bit,and make it easier to swallow.
I hope you can find something to get the swelling down...that is so uncomfortable,and the gagging feeling is the pits!
Just Silverwolfi
-------------------- 2006,May-August2006 Dx w/ Lyme/Bartonella/White Matter Lesion Disease on Brain. [ Clinical Dx w/ two positives and several IND's on the tests from Igenex ], Prior Dx of CFIDS/CEBV 1992, and FMS '93-'94 Diabetes*2 Dx 10/'08 Posts: 3581 | From SE Idaho | Registered: May 2006
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MariaA
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Member # 9128
posted
Does it deviate to one side, or do you have your soft palate drooping to one side aorund it?
Vagus nerve damage (I think) can cause that .I think babesia or Lyme or some other problems of ours can cause vagus nerve problems.
supposedly soft palate abnormalities are common in Lyme patients, and can also cause sleep disorders in Lyme and other conditions.
You can do an image search on vagus nerve uvula and a lot of photos of other damaged ones comes up. It might be helpful.
-------------------- Symptom Free!!! Thank you all!!!!
This is relatively common. Most likely caused from allergies, infection, or overuse of the throat and/or vocal tract.
Have you changed any of your medications? This could be an allergic reaction, if so, take Benadryl and see if this helps.
It could also be a result of tonsilitis or infection.
Also, have someone you know (or make sure your Dr. does this)shine a flashlight in your mouth while you make an "aaaahhh" sound.
The uvula should raise symmetrically. If it deviates to one side it is indicative of a cranial nerve problem.
Have you noticed any changes in your voice, such as sounding more nasally than usual. Or have you had any difficulties swallowing. If so, discuss with your Dr.
In the meantime, drink lots of H2O, take some ibuprofen, and rest your voice (no singing, yelling, etc...)
Good luck and I hope it is temporary and starts feeling better soon.
[ 07-29-2009, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Kalli ]
Posts: 4 | From Orange County, CA | Registered: Jul 2009
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sutherngrl
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Thanks for the responses! This is absolutely driving me crazy.
I don't know whether its a lyme thing or not. I did use a flashlight and take a look, and my uvula does deviate to the right side, but my GP did not mention it. Maybe a slight deviation is not worth noting.
Right now it seems slightly hard to swallow, but not severe. My throat and roof of mouth and tongue burn.
I can't decide if it is an esophagal problem, and asthmatic problem, a thyroid problem(he did check my thyroid today for the 100th time, a neurological problem, or what. This is why I hate LD so much. There is no way to decifer what is Lyme and what is not.
I don't think it is an allergic reaction since it happens on and off antibiotics. However it does seem worse when I am on Mino and Doxy. I have been on doxy for one month and this throat thing actually got better during this month... until 3 days ago. This is the worse it has ever been. Doesn't seem like that would indicate an allergic reaction, however, I am going to skip my doxy a few days and see what happens.
I am never going to get well at this pace, because everytime I get started on an antibiotic, I get some kind of interruption.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I don't know whether it is a Lyme thing or not either. I am a graduate student studying this field, so I am by no means a Dr.
P.S. I am also have Lyme and am Peedie's daughter.
If it deviates at all it usually means it is neurologically based.
Although, if you have ever had Bell's Palsy or a severe neurological problem in the past your uvula will most likely deviate for the rest of your life. Thus, not an effect of current problem.
Also, it may get worse when you are on Abx because of the yeast adding to the inflammation of the mucous glands on the uvula.
Probably not an esophageal problem. Sounds like it is based higher up than the esophagus.
Do you have issues with acid reflux? I know being on all of these meds can cause a lot of upset in the GI tract and cause reflux.
This could definately contribute to the burning sensations and inflammation.
If you think this could be, trying taking Prilosec (this is what I take 20mg per day and it helps tremendously).
Good luck
Posts: 4 | From Orange County, CA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
I had a similar feeling when I started Tindamax as my cyst-buster. It was very annoying and scary. But it went away after a week or so.
What abx are you on? Did you check the side effects of any meds you are taking?
I hope it gets better. Good luck.
James
Posts: 872 | From New York City | Registered: Jun 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I am starting on prilosec 2x a day for 2 weeks then once a day after that.
My gut feeling is that its neurological. I looked at my uvula and it does deviate slightly to the right. I also have muscles twitches around my mouth area and a pulling feeling on one side; but have not had bells palsy.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
The best doc to look at this is an ENT.
There are many causes of uvulitis or a swollen uvula.
Dehydration, smoking, snoring, viral and bacterial infections,
Allergies or acid reflux.
Usually if there is a deviation in the uvula, there is a
Deviation of the soft palate as well.
Usually does not occur in isolation.
Stick your tongue out. Does the tip deviate to one side or the other?
If I were doing an oral motor exam on a patient and saw
Swelling of the uvula, I would not think neurological at first.
Deviation of the uvula may be in part due to the swelling.
Especially if the swelling is not symmetrical.
Flaccidity in part or whole such as paralysis is what I usually see
With neurological involvement.
Ataxic movements, hyper and hypokenetic movements, etc.
It usually takes some type of insult to cause swelling.
However, I would call my LLMD first.
Run it by him/her.
Be careful sleeping as the uvula can cause obstruction of airway
If swollen enough and you are not laying in a good position.
Let me know if the prilosec works.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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lymielauren28
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Member # 13742
posted
Hey Terri,
Okay this is really wierd! I JUST had a friend over from out of town for the weekend with the same problem. When she got to my house she said she felt like she was choking and had something stuck in her throat. (She doesn't have lyme btw).
Well, she opened her mouth and I looked in her throat and her uvula was HUGE. I didn't even know what to call it or what it was at first, I just said, you're "hangy-down thingy" in your throat is really swollen and big, lol.
We googled it and that's when I found out it was called a uvula. I googled some natural things and found out that gargling a mixture of warm turmeric and salt water helped it a lot. I take turmeric capsules daily for inflammation, so I broke open a couple of capsules and mixed it with hot salt water.
She gargled it periodically throughout the day and by that evening it was less than half the size as before. By the next morning it was completely back to normal. Don't know if it will help you, but it's certainly worth a try!
OTHER than the swollen uvula, how are you these days?? PM me and let me know how you've been, okay?
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
I didn't read all the responses but I get this too!
I also have sleep apnea now and when I went for the sleep test the dr there said my uvula was swollen. My sleep apnea came on after I noticed have throat problems. So I think they are related. If I sleep on my side I am usually ok.
I also have problems swallowing. Sometimes my throat gets so swollen it feels closed. I think my glands swell too.
I don't know the exact cause though. Hope it goes down soon!!
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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sutherngrl
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Member # 16270
posted
Hey Lauren! I might have to get some tumeric. I will call my LLMD tomorrow and see what he thinks could be causing this.
Amy, my glands feel swollen also. I'm not sure if they are or if they just feel like they are. Also my throat feels almost like a sore throat and like it is closed up too. But obviously its not because I can eat, talk and breath.
Gosh I'm sorry others suffer with this, but feels good that I'm not alone. This is such a scary feeling.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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