Trying to think rationally [Archive]

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Dan21

22-02-06, 11:16

Ok, I'm trying to put the brakes on an axiety attack that has been waiting in the wings since Sunday night. I think I'm managing to fend it off, but I could do with a little re-assurance that my negative mind is trying to wreak havoc again.

I'm still having the lump in the throat sensation, although at present it seems to have eased off a little. Yesterday, it was great all day and then towards the evening, it seemed to get a little worse, but even when it was at its worse, it was still fairly subtle.

But my anxiety is like a crazed horse straining at the reigns and I'm doing my best to stop it from galloping away with me.

My rational thinking goes like this...

This sensation usually comes on about an hour after I wake - if it was serious, then I'm guessing it would be there when I wake immediately.

I'm having no trouble eating or breathing - surely, I would have some difficulty if I had a blockage in my throat.

When I think about the feeling, it seems to be more prominent - it tends to ease if I distract myself with something.

I'm a non smoking, average alcohol consuming, 32 year old man, who has scant history of cancer in the family.

And if it was something incidious, then I'm hoping that there would be more of an indication than a mild sensation of a lump in the throat that comes and goes?? (PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY SYMPTOMS OF DANGEROUS THROAT CONDITIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I know there are many folks that have much worse anxiety than me and I feel a bit fraudulent posting most of the time, but I really could do with affirmation that I'm thinking 'in the right direction'

Cheers

Dan

jackie

22-02-06, 11:30

well done dan, you no all the right things to say and you no we all suffer with the lovely feeling in our throats so it is nothing to worry about i promise.

but i do feel that to try to stave off the attack is the wrong way, have you read any of claire weekes boks on the subject of facing the worst. of facing accepting, and letting time pass without further fear . well i may not put it very well but she really does. we are all here for you and hope this ends, but if you have not got a copy of claire weekes books pick one up. i promise you will be glad you did
take care
jackie

bluesparkle

22-02-06, 11:51

hi dan
please dont feel fraudulent... this forum is here for everybody ... and no ones problems are any more worse/better than the next... (not sure thats very english but you know what im trying to say)
sometimes the more you fight it the worse it gets as the fear has something to hold on to and you are fuelling that fear... i know this is easy to say but try to distract yourself...
there are more posts on this subject im just not clever enough to post the links but have a good look around.
take care
rach

gaynandr

22-02-06, 14:35

Hi Dan,

Now, don't be offended that I laughed when I read your mail, not because it is funny, but I have exactly the same thing as you. I am a year older than you and have had this condition for over 20 years. Believe it or not I am not dead yet. Actually, you might not be aware, but this condition does have a scientific name and if I could remember it, I would tell you. I'll look it up and e-mail you again with it. Basically, it is a condition bought on my anxiety (and anxiety occurs when you are asleep or can come on while you are asleep and be present as soon as you wake). It causes the throat to feel as if there is a lump in it (a bit like the feeling you get when you are trying to supress cying at a sad film or something) and usually results in the person believing they cannot breath or swallow. When you are really active or doing something you really enjoy it rarely bothers you. When you are thinking too much or consumed with the thought, it does bother you and panic sets in. As soon as panic sets it, it reminds you of how bad the last panic attack was or previous ones were and the cycle starts again.

One question I have is did you ever get something stuck in your throat when you were young or have anything that blocked your airway or maybe watched someone else in that position? I would be interested to know. Maybe you watched a film once?

I would suggest (not because you need to but it will certainly help you) that you learn how to do a tracheotomy. This is a procedure you would do on a person that has got something in their throat. YOU WOULD NEVER NEED TO DO A THIS PROCEDURE ON YOURSELF, but it will prevent you from having to worry about this sympton ever again because you would know what to do if it ever really happened. The condition you have is simply your mind playing with you. Your mind is bored. Do something that stimulates your mind (Career change?). You may still feel anxious when you start something, but it will go. BE strong and do it. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to being anxious again if it makes you feel better, which of course it won't.

All the best Dan. Write again when you're having a bad day, we can compare symptons, it then makes a mockery of the condition and will probably clear the whole thing up!

Andrea

Andrea

Dan21

23-02-06, 12:48

Thank you folks for your kind words and ......well, support.

This is such a strange condition to have to live with and one that appears to easily cause people so much difficulty in living life 'normally' - whatever that may be!

Andrea seems to have hit the nail squarely on the head. I work in a VERY repetative and boring job that gives my mind a licence to wander and think all sorts of things. I am returning to University in July to study something that I love, so I am hoping that this forward step will be something to help me overcome my anxiety.

I really hope this will help :)

Dan

Dan21

25-02-06, 19:07

Suffered a real bout of anxiety about my throat today. I think I need to go to the doctor to get him to check it out. I'm having real difficulty believing that what I have is'nt dangerous. And I know that by having those thoughts, I'm probably driving my anxiety which in itself is making my condition worse, but I cant help think "what if this time it really IS something bad" and by trying to ignore it, I'm closing my eyes to a real problem.

I'm feeling so down about this. I just want to feel normal again.

:(

molly15

25-02-06, 20:23

hi sorry your having a real hard time about your throat .i get these symptoms too i also ended up going to emergency docs as i thought i was going to choke.doc says it is the muscles tightening in and around the throat that coauses this feeling and in no way can you ever be harmed by it.even if it feels like it ,it is so common a symptom of anxiety .i no that at the time when you are feeling this sometimes going to the docs is the only way to reasure ourselves.it is anxiety and it cant hurt you .just drive you mad with worry.go and see doc he will put your mind at rest .take care marcia

i have to do it for my kids if not for myself marciaxx

gismo

25-02-06, 20:49

Hi Dan Its when your chatter box starts going on in your head ,We start to panic,
I find the mornings Bad and wake up feeling yuk ,
I now tel my self I am creating a wonderfull day,
I find as soon as I wake I look for symtoms before my day starts good luck but panic can contract muscles love carol

darkangel

26-02-06, 19:43

Hi Dan

I read your post and thought, oh my god someone else is like me!

About 7 years ago, I was convinced I had something stuck in my throat and made my parents take me to A & E. I had been having anxiety and panic attacks for about 2 years prior to this but I was sure this was something different this time (does this sound familiar). By the time I got to A & E I could hardly breathe and had difficulty swallowing (or so I thought), a doctor examined me and found nothing but I would not believe him until I got an Xray to prove nothing was there. I am writing this just now with a feeling that something is in my throat (but it cant have been stuck for 7 years! I now know it is just another symptom of anxiety and its my irrational thoughts that keep it going.

I still get a few symptoms, but like everything else I try not give it much thought and it does eventually go away.

Take care and hope this has helped

........life is for living not just for surviving

Dan21

27-02-06, 08:43

Hi everyone.

Thanks so much for all of the posts. It really does help.

I have real trouble convincing myself, even after reading all of the similar stories on the forum, that my symptoms are anxiety related. 80% of me knows that I'm probably just going through the same drill as I have done with other symptoms, but the other 20% of me seems to be the controlling part. It says "What if this time...." and other negative stuff.

I know that folks are saying that the quickest way to get around it is to ignore it, but it is hard to do, when it lurks in the background so much.

Yet, on the other hand, I'm reluctant to go to the doctors as I really dont want to a) scare my wife and family into thinking that I am in a downward spiral of health related anxiety as I was some 8-10 months ago and b) have a camera stuck down my nose or throat un neccessarilly.

One of the things that I cant get my head around is this. If this condition is brought on by anxiety / stress, why is it still there when I dont feel so stressed on anxious? (I consider myself to have a moderate level of underlying anxiety; could this be an unconcious factor?)

florence

27-02-06, 10:43

Hi Dan

<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote"> I'm having real difficulty believing that what I have is'nt dangerous.</td id="quote"></tr id="quote"></table id="quote">

Oh god, that's anxiety for you, I am afraid. Know what you mean !

<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote"> but I cant help think "what if this time it really IS something bad"</td id="quote"></tr id="quote"></table id="quote">

Yes, yes, I can't count how many times I had that particular thought, too many times.

It's all anxiety Dan, try to rationalise more ( like in your first post ), and about the lump in your throat , its one of the most common symptoms of anxiety.
And it's true that believing the symptoms are NOT anxiety related but something else, will only feed the anxiety itself and make it greater.
I know its difficult, but I am sure deep down , you can get through this and get better. :)
Take care.

Florence.

*** Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can. ***

florence

27-02-06, 10:44

Dan21

03-03-06, 12:15

Bit of an update. I went to the docs today about my throat. I found out that it was a doctore in training and that the session was to be videoed. I really didnt mind as long as I could get some kind of reassurance that my symptoms were stress or anxiety related.

Well, she certainly put my mind at ease so much more than it was. She even said that the condition I had was called a 'globus' which I know has been mentioned on the forum before now.

She really took time to talk to me and we even mentioned counselling. I only hope that (in the nicest possible way) I dont have to see her again. Although (and I sound like an old war vetran) in my experience, that was one of the better doctors I have had. Just need to forget about this crappy condition and get on with things. :)

florence

04-03-06, 09:01

Hi Dan

Glad to hear you're more positive.
Amazing how a little reassurance can go a long way.
Lets hope that it carries on that way for you.

Florence.

*** Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can. ***

Meg

04-03-06, 21:13

Thats good news Dan !!

Lets hope she keepos it up once shes a real GP

Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

Dan21

08-03-06, 16:00

bad day today. The throat thing hasnt really got any better but hasnt really got any worse. It just remains there. Surely this cant be all due to anxiety. I really dont feel that strung out. I was singing in the car before christmas and I think I might have strained my throat cos a couple of days later I have the most painful throat on the right hand side. I eased after a week or so, but ever since I've had this feeling.

Why would it go on so long??

As posted, the doctor said she coul;dnt see anything bad when she looked into my throat and my glands/swallowing action is fine. But I cant help thinking 'what if they have missed something'?

Am I being irrational?

I just cant figure out why this symptom would last so long, even when I dont feel stressed, and always seem to be in the background, occasional coming on and then dropping away.

I dont really want to have a camera jammed down my throat but then I dont want to spend the future worrying if I have some serious throat condition. I guess it does sound like I am being irrational but why wont this thing go away?

Sorry for ranting :(

feege

08-03-06, 21:45

Hi Dan

This is a particularly nasty anxiety symptom I think, but I believe it is muscular and if you think about it (well I know you're trying not to lol!) muscles can take a long long time to heal once they have got all tense and of course every time you feel tense it prolongs it.

I first had it nearly 20 years ago and seldom get it now, although occasionally it does happen a little (it is tonight because I have a stressful day tomorrow). But I have learned somehow to let it go basically.....

I hope it eases off for you very very soon. Remember, it is common, not dangerous and comes and goes.....

Good luck xxxx

Fee xxxxxx
www.like2like.com

Why live life anticipating the bad things when you could be anticipating the good?
Good and bad things WILL happen!

simms

09-03-06, 12:42

I get this sometimes. I'm going to basically echo what everyone else is saying. Try to relax (easier said than done I know) or distract yourself by doing something you enjoy like a hobby. I usually end up drinking at lot of water or fruit juices as I find it gives me ever so slight relief and when sitting up try to relax your shoulders, jaws, mouth as I find that I am constantly unconsiously tensing up when anxious which does not help as the throat thing is all muscle related as far as I know. After trying these things I fond that it goes away or at least becomes a lot more bearable.

patrich

25-03-06, 00:14

I cannot believe I have found this site... So many others with similar symptoms...
I typed into google, throat problems, choking and found this site..
I have had depression and panic attacks since 1995.
Over the last 18months I have this choking sensation, never had it before... Feels like a sore thtoat at times as well, even my voice goes hoarse... doctors say its anxiety, no coffe after 6pm, take a warm bath, go to bed at a regular time, no tv in the bedroom, etc, etc, as if I have not tried all that before...

One thing I read in one of the posts here, someone said "can you remember ever having had a choking experience or seen some else who had" ...
Well I do not remember choking but for many years, I am now 49 and this dream I have has been going on since I was in my early 20,s I wake up coughing and choking, thinking I have swallowed something, usually my necklace or wedding ring...
It got so bad that I cannot sleep in jewellery, or keep it by the side of the bed, it has to be out of the room...

the choking sensations I have now do not relate to that dream, I have a dry throat and it feels as though there is something there, but I have not had THAT dream for ages...
Strange and horrible I hate this and feel so helpless and tired all the time..

I feel better now that I have written this and got it out of my system,,
thanks for reading, if you got this far...

Pat

sal

25-03-06, 00:17

Hi Pat

Welcome to the site and you are not alone and we are all here to help and support you. We understand how you feel and that is how great this site can help you, realising you are not alone. Do your own post soon hun and you will see how many people are here to help you.

Love Sal xx

Dont mess up the best things in your life, just because at present you are unsure who you are.

"Life is a distance and to travel that distance you were given the strength and guidance to do so".

Karen

25-03-06, 04:07

Hi Pat

This is a common anxiety symptom. Have a read of some of these previous posts:

Tight throat
MORE HORRID SYMPTOMS!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1957)
Swallowing / throat problems / Being strangled! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4476)
What has suddenly changed, feel awful! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3518)
Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)
A strange one, anyone else experienced similar?? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3741)
throat !!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3857)
Strange Lump in Throat (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3929)
Throat, improvements, questions (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4008)
Problems with eating and Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4175)
update on throat problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4270)
Swallowing fear (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4341)
Horrible Throat Feelings! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4396)
Finally admitted what the problem is! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4725)
Another scared one (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4770)
Strange symptom that comes with anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4771)
Swallowing / throat problems / Being strangled! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4476)
swallowing difficulties associated with panic? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5359)
Made It Through (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6938)
Globus Hystericus??? (not so hysterical) (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5612)
Throat problem(another one sorry). (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6871)
Some Progress..Yipee! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6944)

Eating/choking
eating & breathing (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3589)
Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)

Karen

Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey