I can't breathe

For about two weeks now, I’ve been dealing with this persistent sensation of choking... it feels exactly as if a piece of food is lodged deep in my throat and simply refuses to budge. To make matters worse, whenever I touch my neck from the midline downwards, the choking sensation intensifies along with a sharper pain. I haven't the slightest clue what might be causing this; I initially suspected my tonsils, but the discomfort seems to sit much lower than that. Does anyone have any insight?
Yes, I am well aware that I need to see a physician, and I fully intend to call for an appointment tomorrow, though I expect the wait times will be significant. My dilemma, however, is that I am genuinely reluctant to visit her if this turns out to be nothing at all; I see her so frequently that I would feel utterly mortified, fearing she might dismiss me as a mere hypochondriac. 😬

stormymaker24 said:she’s going to think I’m just a hypochondriac 😬

Maca, you absolutely are. Just like me. That chest tightness you're describing? It's textbook for someone with health anxiety. Of course, it could be something else entirely, but I have a feeling I know exactly what's going on here...

🤣
That thought crossed my mind as well. The sole distinction between myself and a true hypochondriac is that when I visit my physician and describe my symptoms, we actually conclude that something is legitimately wrong. It isn't some figment of my imagination; it is a physical reality.

Though, I must admit, this shortness of breath could very well be serious. My thanks to briskbison27 😬

stormymaker24 said:🤣
I laid out exactly what I was seeing to her, and we eventually reached the same conclusion: something is genuinely wrong here. This isn't just paranoia or some imagined scenario—it’s a cold, hard fact.

It started the same way for me... you can always find something if you look hard enough. I think it all just boils down to whether your doctor actually gives a damn and how much effort they're willing to put in. If you need anything at all, just shoot me a DM.😉

Could we be looking at a case of globus hystericus? Honestly, it might just be a thyroid issue...

I categorically reject any notion that my issues could be thyroid-related, despite the fact that people have been relentlessly questioning me lately—particularly those who suffer from thyroid conditions themselves.
Given the sheer volume of problems I am currently grappling with, a thyroid diagnosis is quite literally the last thing I need on my plate.
I find myself much more inclined to accept a diagnosis of anxiety. *Globus hystericus*. That settles it.
I think I'll just stick to drinking some green tea. 😁
I appreciate the advice.

So, you're admitting you have a uterus 😁
...

Honestly, I’d much rather deal with being a total hypochondriac than face the alternative of dropping dead in a few months.
That specific symptom could actually be tied to something way more serious, so please, just go see your doctor and get some blood work done. It's better to be safe than sorry...

Sam Hall15, really? 😕 Are you perhaps making some sort of obscure allusion to those antiquated theories regarding wandering wombs? That is the only logical connection I can draw from such a statement, though I cannot say I am certain. 🤔
I have come to realize, however, that a globus hystericus is an entirely different matter altogether... 🤔 Now I find myself quite perplexed... Sam Hall15, do be more explicit! 😁

Indeed, I am scheduled to see my physician tomorrow afternoon. I have finally dismissed any notions of hypochondria and concluded that this is a straightforward case of pharyngitis. To be blunt, swallowing has become an impossible task. I find myself practically jumping out of my chair every single time I attempt to swallow my own saliva. And the pain is absolutely 🙂

stormymaker24 said:🙂

Poor 😉

Me too,😎 ...I’ve got a completely clear thyroid, but that’s not really the issue here... basically, we just went through a total meltdown.😁 ...Honestly, sometimes ignoring it is the best medicine.

stormymaker24 said:...Sam Hall15, walk us through that! 😁

Classic Freud right there, 😬

stormymaker24 said:Yeah, I’m heading to the doctor. Tomorrow afternoon. I finally dropped the whole hypochondriac act and realized it’s just a massive throat infection. Honestly, I can barely swallow anything. I’m practically jumping out of my seat every single time I try to swallow my own saliva. And 🙂
hurts like hell.

You're sweet. I see a bit of my younger self in you.
That cartoon character is actually pretty spot on, hinting that you might be completely wiped out in a few months.
Keep us posted on what the doc says. Let's see if this is actually serious.😬

Good grief, I assure you, I am not on my deathbed.
It is merely a sore throat, though it arrived with an atypically strange onset that caught me quite off guard.

@jadesailor14—yes, yes, I suppose you are right about that. 😉

fadedmarlin402, please, spare me your mockery! My discomfort is entirely genuine! 🤣

stormymaker24 said:Good grief, I don't think I'm actually dying here.
:

We're just messing with you to help shake those nerves.
Anyone who thinks you're actually panicking is just a total nerd. Catch you tomorrow.

I figured I’d weigh in since we’re talking about breathing issues. For a while, I thought my coughing fits were just weird—like I was doing something wrong with how I moved my tongue or something equally ridiculous. Then yesterday, I woke up with my throat completely closing up. No coughing, just nothing. Total panic mode. I tried to catch my breath, managed to get some air slowly, and my buddy rushed me straight to the ER. After running some tests, they gave me an official diagnosis: asthma. Now I’m walking around with two different inhalers instead of one...
Sometimes you really have to go get the full workup just to get some peace of mind...
I’d been struggling with my doctor for a month trying to figure out what was going on, but he couldn't pin it down until I practically forced my way into the hospital. We all just assumed it was the usual bronchitis that hits me every year...

What exactly is globus hystericus?
I've been feeling this weird sensation around my throat near the larynx, almost like someone is holding my hand and making it difficult for me to swallow anything 😢

I’ve been feeling pretty suffocated lately, just like you. Honestly, I’m leaning towards a ragweed allergy. It wouldn't surprise me. I went through something almost identical about two years ago, and once I started taking some antihistamines, it cleared right up.

And in what way is it suffocating you? 😲 For me, it feels exactly like someone is tightening a grip around my throat.

If you ask me, this infamous "globus hystericus" sensation is essentially nothing more than a metaphorical lump caught in your throat.
It typically manifests as a direct byproduct of intense stress or as a lingering consequence of anxiety, most frequently observed in young women.

It is quite fascinating, really, how many of us seem to be struggling for breath here.😁
Grace Fisher31, in my case, the sensation sits at the base of my neck; it feels as though I desperately need to burp, yet it simply won't happen—there is this relentless pressure, as if the entire internal passage (whatever that anatomical structure is actually called, since I am certainly no medical expert) has constricted, whether due to some internal dysfunction or an external factor that is difficult to put into words. Now, my throat is burning and swallowing has become a chore. I am actually just heading to see my doctor now, so I will update you once I know what is going on, though I suspect it is merely a simple sore throat.
Regardless, I shall inquire on your behalf as well.😁