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?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Are you sure it's not an allergy to one of your meds? I'd ask your LLMD.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
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
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I have read many, many posts where people have said they have forgotten how to swallow. So, it is a common lyme symptom.
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.
Posted by Joyful (Member # 25620) on :
I have really bad reflux and having a hard time swallowing was my first symptom. Have you been checked for reflux?
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
what about anxiety?
Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :
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?
Posted by berneck1 (Member # 24803) on :
No, breathing seems fine.
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
As others have mentioned, sounds like CNS issues to me.
Posted by dali (Member # 24458) on :
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
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
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.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
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.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
A symptom often associated with babesia.
Check with your LLMD in case of allergic reaction.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by berneck1 (Member # 24803) on :
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...
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
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
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
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.
Posted by KalynntheLymie (Member # 29457) on :
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~
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
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.
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
I have been in treatment for 5 years; don't know how long I was infected before diagnosis.
This symptom is new to me. Most of the other symptoms I have are ones that I've had all along, they just worsen when herxing.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
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.
Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :
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.
Posted by Badtick (Member # 9794) on :
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.
Posted by aiden424 (Member # 7633) on :
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
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
A friend of mine had that....treatment for HHV-6 and enteroviruses solved the problem for her.
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