Crunching / grinding of cartilidge or possible lump sensation when swallowing

Long story short I am having the exact same symptoms. The pain is on the right side of my Adam's apple and just up underneath where the Adam's apple goes underneath when you swallow. If I turn my head to the left and swallow, it literally grinds so hard on it its excruciatinng. Most times when I'm normally looking straight and I swallow, it misses it or hits it and I hear and feel a little click. It also feels like the right side of my Adam's apple like caves in a tiny bit. It's kind of hard to explain but who knows. I did just get an ultrasound today hoping to see wtfs up. right now I basically have to look right to swallow because it hurts like a MF whenever it gets inflammed. There are times when it goes away for shorter times but when it comes back it stays for longer and it's been about 2 years.

Coffe helps me with it. Temporarily of course. Even warm cider.

Than you so much!!!!!

Thank you so much for this Erik, how are you doing now?

Robin

I can't tell you how relieved I am to find this thread and discover I'm not the only person with this issue! My throat "thing" started suddenly about 6 weeks ago and it's driving me completely batty. About 3 days after a cold/sinus infection cleared up (not sure if this is relevant or not), I was taking my morning vitamin and when I swallowed it felt like something popped out of place near my left tonsil and it hasn't been the same since.

After about 2 weeks and countless hours of researching various throat/oral cancers and convincing myself I was going to die, I made an appointment with an ENT who basically looked at me like a hypochondriac and said he saw what could be an infection on my lingual tonsils when performing his scope but nothing else. He threw me an Rx for antibiotics and sent me on my way. After I finished the Z-pack some of the general soreness went away but the "lump" didn't.

In fact, it almost feels like the "lump" is a bit lower than it used to be. It first felt like it was near the base of my tongue - perhaps due to generalized pain from the infection - but now it's right around my thyroid and I sometimes feel a general tightness further down at the nape of my neck.

These are the symptoms I have:
- Left side only
- Very small "lump" felt inside my throat; no physical evidence of a lump felt from the outside
- Some days bring some non-stop but tolerable pain, other days are just a general discomfort/annoyance. And certain days the pain fluctuates.
- Putting pressure on the pain/lump area of my neck with my fingers makes the pain virtually disappear
- Discomfort worsens when my chin is closer to my chest (e.g. looking down at my phone for extended periods of time). This is also when I most notice the clicking in my throat when I swallow.
- On the more painful days my ear also feels slightly stuffy/affected as well.
- Throat feels misaligned; when I swallow, I only feel food/drink go down the right side of my throat (opposite the lump). I'll grab onto my throat and try to gently shift my esophagus to the right; I'll feel/hear a small click - like cartilage moving into place behind my throat - and for the briefest of moments the lump/pain lessens until my throat returns back to its original position a few seconds later. The clicking sensation grosses me out so I try not to do it but it's starting to become compulsive to make it feel better.
- Swallowing food does not hurt, but big gulps of liquid can be uncomfortable. It's not difficult to swallow, just a little painful with liquids.
- When the "lump" feels at its lowest point of my neck, my chest feels tight and it causes me to cough but the cough doesn't produce anything. Kind of like bronchitis in its early stages. Yet, I cough so hard in attempt to clear my throat that I get a pain in my back near my left shoulder blade. SO ANNOYING. But this might last half a day, and then the cough is gone but the lump remains.

The pain gets worse at night and as a side/stomach sleeper I agree with an earlier post that says to sleep on the same side the lump is on and it almost as if the lump goes away for a short while. Sleeping on the opposite side has actually woken me up a few times in the night due to discomfort. It's almost like sleeping on my left side provides some level of support to keep my throat in place where it needs to be.

So here are a few things about me in case we can find some similarities between us:
- 34 yr. old female
- enlarged thyroid with mild hashimoto's (though I'm overdue for another blood test)
- regular drinker (mmmm, wine)
- smoke maybe 3-4 times a month, but mainly chew nicotine gum and have chewed it for about 10 years now
- have some anxiety/depression, but nothing too serious. Recently started taking Wellbutrin again.
- not the healthiest diet, but not the worst either
- never head a problem with heartburn that I'm aware of, but do experience reflux from time to time, mainly after a greasy/fatty meal accompanied by alcohol

I want to go back to the ENT but just started a new job and don't want to take time off just yet. I will definitely keep an eye on this thread to see if anyone gets a diagnosis or finds a cure!

Amy

Hi Amy,

Exact same for me, it's as if I wrote your post! :)

I've tried many things to work out what the problem is, including a theory that it's muscle related, which I think is certainly part of the problem. Neck and shoulder area. But so far the best results have been from a diet change, removing anything deemed acidic. Food and drink. The theory being that severe acid reflux is irritating the throat and in effect, causing it to act up, making these noises. Research your symptoms with either gord or gerd and see what you find.

Stress and anxiety are also linked I feel.

That said, I like you, had a bad case of sinusitis just before this came on. So am always wondering if this is related. I thought perhaps it was bought on by the constant swallowing I had to go for two months to clear the (gross) mucus. Post Nasal drip. I was also given strong antibiotics and nasel steroid which might be part of this also.

Anyway. Good luck with it all and report back on anything you've leaned. Sadly the ent and docs you'll find, are not of any help. Either saying its in your head, or something they've never seen before. It doesn't mean it ain't real. But may mean, what ever it is, it's harmless. This is a good thing at least.

Hello there, I am a 47 year old female with similar issues except that when I experience this crack and pop it also affects my voice and feel short of air. I too feel that "lump" sensation sometimes more like a sharp poke. I've had an upper endoscopy. Gi result was reflux and although reflux treatment improved the reflux and the acid reflux gas pain etc... the crack, pop, and poke are still present. Lastnight it was an issue and realized that I am to have gallbladder surgery soon. I am now concerned about being intubated. O.O

Hi! I am seriously considering a surgery with Dr. Smith. Could you possibly let me know if your insurance covered the procedure?

I think you are responding to my post. In my case, this surgery would have been considered out of network for me and thus at a much higher ded and co-pay. I filed a pre-surgery appeal letter and it was approved as in-network as no one in my network would do the surgery. Indeed, at least two of them pretty much insisted I see Dr. Smith as he is the expert on the topic.

 

(Sorry, I think I mistakenly have two log in usernames on here.  My original post was under another name.)

Thank you very much for your response! According to the list of providers, Dr. Smith is in-network for my insurance. However, because the condition is apparently so rare, my fear is that the insurance might deny the request. It's very encouraging to hear that your insurance company dealt with your case well. Thank you very much!!

God I need to try something. Been living with this for three years now and it's just getting worse, doctors just prescribe me Nexium and chalk it up to anxiety. I never had anxiety before this c**p came along now I'm terrified that I have something serious and it's not being properly diagnosed. I feel hopeless and depressed all the time now.

Did you ever figure out what was causing you this problem? I have the exact same thing and I recently found out I was exposed to black mold and aspergillius/penicillum mold for what was probably years. I think it's related and I'm seeing a functional medicine doctor but I'm being proactive because I've had this for 5 months now and it's driving me insane. If you can help or point me in another direction I'd really appreciate it.

You should go to the doctor if you have those symptoms

Have you found any answers? Having a fear of swallowing because of the popping sound when I swallow

It is caused by cartilage malformation, due to injury or birth defect, that causes cartilage to rub against the Thyroid gland and/or other sensitive structures in the neck when swallowing. It can be easily corrected by surgery, that trims the offending cartilage.
Omg finally found others who has this. I am so relieved. I have had several neck injuries and strangled many times. This makes sense