what is this?

gidge980 · Post by **gidge980** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:33 am

I know I've posted this before, but it's something that still bothers me so I want to post it again. In the program a symptom mentioned is tightening of the throat. Well, I've gottent hat before during a panic attack, but for the past couple months it seems to be lingering. Some days it will be worse than others (almost feels like I'm choking and I yawn a lot), while other days it is very minimal. I haven't been able to get rid of it completely. It really does seem to feel like a tension thing, especially right under my chin. It makes swallowing food interesting (things feel like they are going down much slower than normal and can come back up if I burp). I want to know if anyone else has experienced this (it worries me constantly that there might be something seriously wrong with me, but I've had extensive testing done (upper GI and endoscopy) that doesn't suggest anything harmful. The doctor did suggest a narrow esophagus, but honestly up until 5 months ago I was feeling just fine. He wasn't too receptive to the idea that it could be a symptom of generalized anxiety. It almost happened overnight. Please, please, please if you've experienced this let me know. I need the comfort of knowing I'm not alone, it's related to anxiety, and it will get better!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:30 am

It IS related to anxiety and it WILL get better. It's all muscle tension and nothing more. The more you focus on it (resistance) the more it stays, but understand something. IT IS NOT DANGEROUS. Your body knows what to do. Food will go down. You will always beable to breathe.

Practice your calm breathing a few minutes off and on throughout the day, but the real ticket for getting rid of it is to make it OK to be there. Talk soothing to yourself. Talk to yourself as if you were talking to a small child. It's not a big deal. Your scare voice wants you to make it an issue but don't, because it will not harm you - even if it never goes away.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:53 am

I have felt this way, too, and it always led to a panic attack. I would constantly drink something when I felt this way just to assure myself that I could still swallow. Mine was anxiety-related, so I don't worry about it so much anymore, and it hasn't happened in awhile. I know that feelings of a "lump" in the throat and suffocating feelings are symptoms of anxiety. Good luck, and may you feel better soon!

Genie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:35 pm

I agree with Genie and Boon Gidge. I had a real heavy headed feeling and felt like I could barely hold my head up and dizzy when I walked for almost a week while going through real bad anxiety. The more I worried about it the worse it got. Finally when I got the program I started feeling better using the tools and knowing this was not going to kill me. Eventually you will get so sick of worrying about it you will stop noticing it and it will go away.