Symptom development

[ErraticAspie]

Hi

I am now having problems swallowing my own saliva. I suspect this may be anxiety driven, but sometimes struggling to swallow, and then getting involuntary swallowing without saliva going down (sometimes I am supressing swallowing since I want to do so every 5 seconds or so, I am certainly more aware of needing to swallow than I was before). Aches, muscle pain (esp. in neck), absurd anxiety around everything, all only since my thyroid. Presently on 100mcg, waiting on a blood test since my Endo forgot to send my GP a letter indicating what needs testing.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Increased anxiety has been the worst symptom of having a thyroid condition for me and it is always worse if thyroid medication or key vitamins (ferritin, folate, vitamins B12 and D) are not optimal. I would definitely push for these testing asap and share results with us.

Increased saliva production & difficulties swallowing are symptoms I’ve experienced during anxiety flares. These symptoms passed when thyroid medication and vitamin levels improved.

[helsyf in reply to Buddy195]

This is such helpful information!..My daughter has just gone through this stage, when her meds need upping she gets anxiety...she also gets digestive problems, which stop her eating, which leads to deficiencies etc and a whole cycle is created. The doctor was keen this time to get her on sertraline...made her feel even sicker unfortunately and she really needed to eat, so she stopped it. Finally her med increase has settled down, the anxiety has lifted, the swallowing issue has improved and continues to improve, she is absorbing properly again...no need for anti anxiety meds (they are great when necessary though) As always with Hashimoto's, it all links up...but is a frustrating waiting game for things to get right after they have gone wrong. The swallowing issue was new to us.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to helsyf]

Such a common story too. I was diagnosed with ‘health anxiety’ and sent to a psychotherapist. Although sessions with the latter were useful in flares, joining this forum was a life changer, as I realised that the crushing anxiety was linked to thyroid medication & key vitamins not been optimal (although they were ‘in range’ so not flagged medically). I’ve also found daily magnesium supplements helpful.

[Lalatoot]

hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/... found the exercises on this site helped me when my throat was swelling and my voice disappeared.

[Lulu2607 in reply to Lalatoot]

Hi Lalatoot . I tried your link but it connects to a different article to the one you suggest (swallowing). Is the original site still available do you know? Thanks.

[Lalatoot in reply to Lulu2607]

hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/...

[Lulu2607 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you.

[Lalatoot in reply to Lulu2607]

Goodness knows how that happened! Attached proper link now.

[Marz]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

There are many sources of on-line information concerning the vagus nerve. I have chosen this one. Scroll down for Vagus Nerve involvement. (VN)

Gargling is good stimulation for the Vagus Nerve as is the Uijay breath in yoga.

EDIT: Have just read your post of 3 months ago with your neck x-ray results. In my non-medical opinion this may point to Vagus Nerve and swallowing issues ....