Neck /throat tightness and pressure

Guest · Guest

Wow, it looks like a lot of people have this problem! Mine started about 3 weeks ago and have gotten worse since then. When I get up in the morning I feel ok, only a mild tightness at the base of my throat, like someone is pushing a hand against it. As the day goes on, it gets worse. Then I get what feels like food stuck in my foodpipe, and the sides of my neck feel tight. The last few days my ear canals are affected, too.

I've done some research and found this website that talks about the symptoms we all seem to share and actually has a name for the condition: Cricopharyngeal spasm

http://www.voicedoctor.net/therapy/cps.html

The good news is that it's not dangerous, the bad news is that it's stress related and not much can be done about it and it usually goes away on its own, but can take a long time.

I'm not advocating doing a self-diagnosis here. It's always best to see a doctor to rule out anything more serious. Incidentally, it would help to mention this Cricopharyngeal spasm to your doctor and asking him if you might have it.

I plan on making an appointment with a ENT and getting checked out, but I'm going with a print-out of the website on-hand. Good luck to all of you and I'll check back to see how everyone is faring.

worriedknight · Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

again wow ... to see so many people with the same feeling is comforting ..is that good or bad .. either way .. reading through peoples storys i realize ive done a little of what each one says could be the cause... i been in and out the sir conditioning so could be like a head cold, ive been using a lot of caffiene over 250 mg a day then i cut the caffiene for a day, ive had a very dry mouth due to lack of water i guess so that sound about right the dry glands.. but the last guys note is makin the most sense i have done all of the above but its because of stress that i go through the above ... tierd trying to stay up ..i work nights as a police officer ive changed my diet trying to cut back ..and the stress has been out of control i am divorced ..but in a new loving relationship that does take alot out of me ..kids..and also hefty hefty hefty child support payments and a huge mortgage ... and i have been getting the tightness in the right side of my neck from my ear or chin down to almost my shoulder .. its a tightness inside my neck but more to the surface not like in the middle throat but on the right side where i would put my hand and try to massage it ....anyway this started about 2 months ago and in the morning im fine but feel it more at the end of the day ...but mostly after an arguement or stressful moment then i really feel it to the point where it is scary and i have to stop whatever it is and relax .. and breathe because i also have high blood pressure so it really worries me ... and like the last guy said i now believe what i knew all along its gotta be the stress so im gonna try to fix that for now ..less caffiene, more rest, more fluids, better diet, and no arguing ......its gotta be the stress cause what im going through is so much right now i cant even write about it too much but i am a clam person and do well with all im going through accept this scary neck thing ... but i think i got the answer now thanks...... male 37yrs old.

worriedknight · Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

again wow ... to see so many people with the same feeling is comforting ..is that good or bad .. either way .. reading through peoples storys i realize ive done a little of what each one says could be the cause... i been in and out the air conditioning so could be like a head cold, ive been using a lot of caffiene over 250 mg a day then i cut the caffiene for a day, ive had a very dry mouth due to lack of water i guess so that sound about right the dry glands.. but the last guys note is makin the most sense i have done all of the above but its because of stress that i go through the above ... tierd trying to stay up ..i work nights as a police officer ive changed my diet trying to cut back ..and the stress has been out of control i am divorced ..but in a new loving relationship that does take alot out of me ..kids..and also hefty hefty hefty child support payments and a huge mortgage ... and i have been getting the tightness in the right side of my neck from my ear or chin down to almost my shoulder .. its a tightness inside my neck but more to the surface not like in the middle throat but on the right side where i would put my hand and try to massage it ....anyway this started about 2 months ago and in the morning im fine but feel it more at the end of the day ...but mostly after an arguement or stressful moment then i really feel it to the point where it is scary and i have to stop whatever it is and relax .. and breathe because i also have high blood pressure so it really worries me ... and like the last guy said i now believe what i knew all along its gotta be the stress so im gonna try to fix that for now ..less caffiene, more rest, more fluids, better diet, and no arguing ......its gotta be the stress cause what im going through is so much right now i cant even write about it too much but i am a clam person and do well with all im going through accept this scary neck thing ... but i think i got the answer now thanks...... male 37yrs old.

bigdeal · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

I read some of the other commments about the pressure, and they are similiar. I started having like what felt to be a GREAT amount of pressure in my chest (like gas). It then moved up into my throat (the tightness was very intense and constrictive). It then moved up into my face (it even made my teeth hurt and I felt great pressure around my sinuses). It then proceeded up into my head; I had a TERRIBLE headache and the pain was excrusiating. Thank God, it only lasted a few seconds. I honestly thought I might die for a minute. What is so strange is that my FATHER used to describe these SAME SYMPTOMS! I honestly thought I might be having a stroke or something. I was not stressed at the time, so I don't think that had anything to do with that. I had to lie down for about 10 minutes, and then began to feel better. I immediately got up and took an aspirin (as that is what is recommended if someone is having a heart attack or a stroke). I have had this happen 2 or 3 times before, and it is very scary. I am a 10-year cancer survivor and had numerous chemotherapy drugs and am still taking different medications.

Guest · Guest

I am glad to read these posts (Sorry that you all have the same paint) and know that I am not the only one with these symptons and unanswered questions. I have hypo thyroidism which is constantly monitered and been under control for almost 10 years, so don;t think that is the cause. I have the nexk pain on the left side up to ear. Sometimes tightening and giving you that feeling of possibly something more serious is worng like possible stroke symptons - which is why I was on line tonight - lokking for clues. I have seen sveeral doctors over the past two+ years. Maybe sinuses, maybe lymph gland that no one seems worried about, maybe menapause/hormones, maybe stress (get anxiety meds), yadda yadda yadda. I just wish I knew what it really was. SOmetimes it hurts in my back down to left chicken wing, left arm/shoulder area, eye all on upper left side. ANY ideas?

etalley · Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

I wonder if poor posture is the main culpret in a lot of these cases. I, too, have had similar symptoms -- discomfort from base of skull to shoulder (predominantly on the left side), tightness in neck, pressure behind ear, persistent knot at the base of my neck on the left side, tinnitus, and clicking of the jaw. For that reason, it is very difficult to diagnose -- it is almost like a syndrome, which requires a multi-faceted solution. To compound matters, when we are hurting, other things "go wrong" like we lose our appetites, lose weight, get stressed (which depletes B-12 -- a vitamin that is needed for optimum cell function and our mood), etc. It is like a downward spiral. So, I am running the gamete of options -- there is some research that says that mold allergies can cause these symptoms (solution: vapor barrier in the basement and taking Claritin), stress (more deep breathing, which relaxes the muscles -- I hold all my tension in my neck and jaw), getting a MRI just to rule out structural abnormalities or growths, and going to a dentist who knows about TMJ. I think that one of my back molars is too high -- I had braces (unnecessarily, I think) and my tinnitus started about that time. I still have a compression of my mouth made about that time, and there is indeed a difference. It is amazing what damage 1 or 2 mm can do! I am also currently having a major workover of my muscles (do a search on “rolfing”). I will be going to my 7th session tomorrow, and let me say that it has been a wonderful experience. I was skeptical, but at that point in time, I was willing to try anything and everything. Originally, I thought that I had thoracic outlet syndrome, but the jury is still out on that diagnosis. It will not be until I have my MRI that we will know for certain. However, I think that years of abuse is finally catching up with me – not managing stress, gritting my teeth, and bad posture at the computer (I write for a living). I did some brief research on www.necksolutions.com ,and it seems to me that I have “computer neck.” Over the last couple of days I have been sitting with my back up against the wall so that I don’t slouch, and I HAVE noticed a difference. I had tried stretching, but I think that aggravated the situation because I was TOO tight. So, I tried massaging the front of my neck near my clavicle and up to the top behind my ears, and that has helped. Because the symptoms are so off and on, this has got to be my problem. In any case, I need to continue to make modifications to my lifestyle (and stay true to them) because it could have a lasting affect (causing arthritis). I did notice a bone spur on my clavicle (which began popping a few months ago, incidentally), so changes are occurring. But I believe what is happening is that my tight neck muscles (from years of having a turtle neck) are pulling on clavicle, my shoulders, and my head. Muscle tension, I am certain, can inflame the surrounding muscles. Anyway, I hope this post will help you all in that it may give you some direction to take. Another tip: a spot of St. John’s Wart tea helps in calming the mind, which subsequently, calms the muscles (and nerves). I have also been taking Cat’s Claw, which has anti-inflammatory properties. But, please, do your own research and consult reliable sources before taking any.

Neck /throat tightness and pressure

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