Lump in throat: I recently had problems... - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

25,509 members26,824 posts

Lump in throat

alexask profile image
37 Replies

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.

Written by
alexask profile image
alexask
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
37 Replies
RS313 profile image
RS313

It could be thyroid maybe a goiter i had this happen to me and it was a Goiter.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to RS313

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!

RS313 profile image
RS313 in reply to alexask

Good luck keep us posted! Happy Holidays!

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

Best of luck Alex.

alexask profile image
alexask

Thanks. Now officially petrified :-(

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

From MJ Fox site

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

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Hikoi

That's what I thought initially it was. I really hope you are right. Otherwise I am giving myself about 18 months. Anyway soon see.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

I would say far greater chance of it being pd related. The referring doctor is just following good practice, establishing the cause.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Hikoi

Thanks again - I will try to go to bed believing that. Throat cancer is quite rare.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to alexask

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.

Just noted you have not been diagnosed withpd.

PDConscience profile image
PDConscience in reply to Hikoi

A full glass of wine (or three) is the best remedy for 'glass half empty' syndrome.

faridaro profile image
faridaro

Someone in my family had swallowing problems and was diagnosed with thickening of esophagus which is benign.

stevie3 profile image
stevie3

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!

SilentEchoes profile image
SilentEchoes

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.

alexask profile image
alexask

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.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

Stay positive my friend and things always work out.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Sleeplessparki

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.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

How’s it going? Have you found out anything definitive? Just checking in stay well!

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Sleeplessparki

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.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

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.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Sleeplessparki

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.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

Your going to be fine........try not to worry and stay positive.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Sleeplessparki

I think you are right. Looking at the stats it is waaay more likely that heidle is right and it is silent LPR.

heidle profile image
heidle

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.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to heidle

Thanks. That is a more hopeful diagnosis. Still if the worse comes to the worse I will try a complete fast to aid Radiotherapy results.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

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!!!!!

Your friend sleepless

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Sleeplessparki

Had scan. Was reflux. Great relief all round.

Sleeplessparki profile image
Sleeplessparki in reply to alexask

That’s great news

Barry1111 profile image
Barry1111 in reply to heidle

Do you know if the PPI legal ads regarding kidney disease are mostly hype or is it a real and significalt problem?

Jeansm profile image
Jeansm

gastroscopy showed my throat "lump" to be stomach acid issue and not any sort of growth which is apparently very common. Fingers crossed for you.

brunotia5 profile image
brunotia5

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!

aloha24 profile image
aloha24

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.

JIMOC profile image
JIMOC

relax. don't heed all our ''helping'' comments.;; be honest with wife

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to JIMOC

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.

luciercb profile image
luciercb

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?

marilw profile image
marilw

You might want to see an ENT doctor. Ear , nose and throat Dr. for a check up .

You may also like...

Some thoughts on Gluten sensitivity

which is found in wheat, may exacerbate Parkinson's-related symptoms in some patients. A brain scan...

DO YOU REALLY HAVE PD?

IS DIAGNOSED BY SYMPTOMS. MOST PEOPLES SYMPTOMS VARY. DID YOU EVER DOUBT YOU REALLY HAVE THIS...

Impact of Parkinson's

was just provoking thought on the subject. Micheal j Fox had Parkinson's way before me, I think ....

Has anyone used Butyric acid for PD?

something on Parkinson's News that butyric acid eliminated tremors and symptoms of Parkinson's....

Sharing my experience of having the flu with Parkinson's...

with my Parkinson's symptoms. I've had Parkinson's for six years and I'm generally doing relatively...