I recently had problems swallowing - it feels as if I have a lump in my throat. I thought initially it was Parkinson's related, but though my parkinson's symptoms have improved, the swallowing hasn't. In fact it seems to have gotten worse.
Also given that my symptoms are only a year old I wouldn't have thought they would be parkinson's related.
Now I have been referred to a Gastroentologist and am hoping its not the dreaded throat cancer, but in the normal way that you do have convinced myself it is (there aren't that many alternative explanations unfortunately).
Anyway wish me luck. Don't feel I even want to share this fully with my wife in case it unnecessarily worries her.
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alexask
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Thanks for that. I will hope it is that rather than anything more sinister. My fondness for the odd glass of wine or three may be catching up with me though!
Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, can happen at any stage of Parkinson disease. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include: difficulty swallowing certain foods or liquids, coughing or throat clearing during or after eating/drinking, and feeling as if food is getting stuck.
From Oxford academic article.
swallowing changes occur from the earliest stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD), even in cases asymptomatic for dysphagia
Not criticising your glass half empty thoughts but just to say anxiety is a classic pd non motor symptom. Caused through the dopamine loss.
In the UK you can get some free counselling on the NHS. That doesnt mean you are not coping. But as you say you dont want to worry your wife, so its a safe place to off load. Your GP or PD nurse would know more.
I had similar symptoms six months ago and after investigation, turned out it was a mild hiatus hernia and not cancer, nor pd related.
I have a goiter that is virtually undetectable from the outside but causes exactly that lump in the throat feeling, worse sometimes than others). It’s nothing serious unless it grows too much and causes obstruction, but so far so good (after ten years). Best of luck to you!
Other causes are tonsil liths or silent reflux. At least your doctor wasn't dismissive and tell you it's a phobia of swallowing (happened to me). I have found that sleeping on your left side greatly reduces acid reflux. I also sleep on a wedge to elevate my head, apnea is greatly reduced. Best wishes.
Thanks for all your replies. Statistically speaking it shouldn't be this, but then I know my diet and my consistent drinking and meat consumption make me a prime candidate for this. Also the way the symptoms seem to be getting worse also make me doubly worried. Anyway enough for now. I'll be back - either as the most relieved man on this planet or one of the most in trouble.
Thanks. Am now in an extended fast. Have ordered some PQQ, which is supposed to kill tumors. Still not very optimistic though as throat cancer is a bugger. Can feel this lump more and more.
Nope. Am scanning the internet for anything that could help (assuming the worst). NHS is taking it's time with my appointment. The fast, combined with a hyperbaric oxygen session is the best I can come up with. Still it still might be something else.
Your one of most resourceful people I have ever been in contact with...if its out there you are the one that will find it. Please keep me posted... my thoughts and prayers go out to you and family. Stay positive as it could be host of things as mentioned in many of the reply’s.
Thanks. The thing about the internet is that the truth is out there. You just need to find the right google phrase. And also realize that the more money is involved the less truth there is. Even to the extent of downplaying potential remedies with the phrase "no clinical proof" - which basically means "there is not enough money to be made to do a double-blind survey".
I will feel like a damn fool if it is LPR. But possibly the most relieved damn fool in the world.
Could very likely be LPR. Don't let that gastro put you on PPIs.. They love them. It could be caused by too LITTLE stomach acid. Same symptoms as too much. You could do a bicarb challenge to establish your stomach acid. Gastro won't acknowledge any of this. Mountains of info out there though. Good luck.
Hey Alex! Sorry if I missed it in a recent post but was thinking of you. How goes the battle? Any word on the lump in your throat? My prayers have been with you!!!!!
Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to be positive, and it seems such a cliché to be positive when things around you seem to be falling apart, but it's true, that being positive can help, try to believe in a good outcome and with any luck it will be yours. , And remember, everyone here in this group is rooting for you!
Aloha here. Try to put positive thoughts out there and I know it sounds corny but it works. Look into Nick Orton's tapping and do it! It is helping me enormously. I'm facing a knee replacement in January and scared too. Then after recovering the other has to be done. I've had many surgeries and the anesthesia was not a problem and it won't be for you. You're gonna do great! Believe. Best of luck to you.
thanks. I am grateful for all the posts. I am honest with the wife, but I don't want to be too honest. Of course frantic googling doesn't help with the prognosis. Aside from Pancreatic cancer this sucks the most and it is likely I am far gone with the stages. But this is assuming I have it in the first place which is a big assumption, though the gp asking if I have any family with hindsight I also found worrying.
Your post caught my eye, cuz I've had a " lump " in my throat for over a year! Apparently my throat is covered in mucous ( constant clearing my throat was a hint) as my sinuses ( as well as one enlarged tear duct ) constantly drain into my throat. Causing a severely dry right eye and a phlegm problem that disgusts me. I can't take a short nap without having to get up several times to spit. The dr is sending me for pulmonary tests since the X-rays didn't show anything unusual . Does this sound familiar to anyone?
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My book, "Music as Medicine particularly in Parkinson's" is out tomorrow
Monday morning in New Mexico
Tips to reduce excess saliva and mucus in the throat and minimize choking and coughing
Clinical severity in PD is determined by decline in cortical compensation
