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Beginning December, 2010, I have been to my primary care physician, a gastronologist, endocrinologist, ears, nose and throat doctor and a neurologist.
It was discovered I had polyps on the right side of my thyroid. I had an ultrasound and biopsy and they were not cancerous. However, the endocrinologist said the polyps should not be causing my strangling sensation. He referred me to a gastronologist. I had an endoscopic procedure performed and all was well. No acid reflex, GERD, tumor, etc. He referred me to an otolaryngologist. Through an additional ultrasound, it was discovered the nodules were growing. It was determined my thyroid should be removed and it was thought it would eliviate the strangling sensation. On June 22, 2011, I had half of my thyroid removed. During a follow up visit, I infomred the doctor I was still feeling like I am being strangled. He said there was some swelling and give it about a month (which I did). I then went back to him and he put me on Prilosec and sent me for a barium ?? procedure. All was normal. My new PCP examined me and took an x-ray of my nectk. He noticed something in the back of my neck that might possibly be causing the sensation in the front of my neck. He sent me for a neck MRI. He put me on Celebrex (to reduce inflammation - if any). I had the neck MRI and after review the PCP - sent me to a neurologist. I went to the neurologist earlier in the week. He said neurologically speaking, I was fine and he didn't feel the vertebras were causing my discomfort. I am at a lost as to where to go or what to do next. Some of my smyptoms are as follows: It originally felt like I as wearing a high turtle nectk sweater that was too tight or I had a scarf on and it was pulled too tight. I have difficulty swallowing saliva (golf ball in throat feeling), but have a lesser problem swallowing water or eating. At all times, it now feels like someone is strangling me - somethimes mild to extreme. I do not feel like I am choking. It has never felt like it is on the interior of my throat. It has always felt like it is on the exterior of my throat and the interior of my neck (if that makes any sense.) Some of my other symptoms are like Cricophanyngea Spasm, however two doctors say I do not have that. I had cosmetic surgery three and a half years ago (with no compliations) and went back to the plastic surgeon to inquire if he had ever seen this side effect before and could make a recommendation. No suggestion was made. Before this issue, I have been extremely healthy - with the exception of glaucoma. I have glaucoma in both eyes and have used drops for about ten years and have had surgery on my right eye. I am 59 years old, good health - no high blood pressure, heart disease, sugar diabetes, etc. I'm 5'7" / 150 lbs, non-smoker and an occasional cocktail. No medication except eye drops and minor vitamins (calcium, etc.) Should you have questions or require additional information, please contact me at [Personal Information removed for privacy]
Thank you for your possible assistance. I look forward to hearing from someone.
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20 mg of prednisone is quite hi. I am just reducing my prescription as the side effects are quite severe.
April 11, 2018 - 9:34amThis Comment
mine is at least partly caused by pelvic spasms occluding my pelvic (and femoral in particular) arteries. Blood flow to my brain is reduced and it feels like my lungs won't inflate fully, diaphragm straining, etc. It improves dramatically when i stand upright or lay in the right position flat. It causes me to snore when I'm flaring. (I don't normally snore.)
November 14, 2017 - 1:35amThis Comment
im a 14 year old girl with a very similar problem and i hate it im losing my mind, lately ive been very nervous and stressed an i dont know why and now i feel like someone has been strangling me, but very lightly and sometimes i cant breathe properly, also the thought of mt neck being touched i shiver and feel so deeply uncomfortable and i twitch a lot.
September 30, 2017 - 6:57amThis Comment
I understand what your talking about i'm 15 and I have the feeling that someone's hands are around my neck. I have been choked twice by kids when I was younger maybe that's why. I go to a school that has uniforms and we can wear their sweat shirts but I'm concently pulling it down its a pain. I have little siblings and they like to hang on me but when they get close to my neck it freaks me out. I asked my mom what can I do to help my self since we can't go to the doctors but she doesn't know either.
January 30, 2019 - 9:40pmThis Comment
I am also 14, and I have a similar problem. All of the sudden, I can't breathe and it feels like someone is trying to strangle me but no hands, like a force choke from star wars. I can't wear necklaces anymore and have to cut slits in the neck of all my shirts. I can't wear hoods and it's hard for me to put my hair down. I can't have anything touching my neck. I have started having panic attacks whenever I feel choked, usually with a dramatic gasp like what you hear when someone wakes up after a nightmare in the movies. It's hard not to react when my siblings accidentally touch my neck in public. I haven't told anyone, so I'll get a haircut and try to pretend nothing is wrong while I am absolutely panicking. I don't have any stress/anxiety problems so I am trying to find some other reason for this on the internet. Good Luck!
August 11, 2018 - 5:22pmThis Comment
This can be a simple problem to fix...often the muscles in your neck get very tight from stress or posture and can actually give you a choking/ strangling sensation. Go see a massage therapist and they can relax the mucles around your throat. Immediate relief, but go often until the issue subsides. It's probably not a medical problem.
September 26, 2017 - 4:04amThis Comment
I have this same problem. It is very uncomfortable and sometimes it frightens me. I had my thyroid checked, I have stones but the doctors do not think they are cancerous, i was told that over 60% of people have stones and dont even know. So next I had a chest exray and tomarrow I am seeing a throat specialist. I will be have the camer down my throat im sure. So we will see. The feeling of being choked comes and goes throughout the day. I thought it was from anxiety and but now im starting to thing it is something else. I still take my anxiety meds for it though and I notice it goes away and sometimes it comes back. It is very uncomfortable. If anyone has figured it out how to stop it please let me know,
September 18, 2017 - 9:03pmThis Comment
I have been having the same strangulation sensation for the last month. Its very upsetting.
I believe it is all stress related. I had the strangulation feeling for 2 weeks at the beginning of August 2017 (my job has always been stressful but I believe its all related to stress)....i decided to go on a break to my in laws farm for 2 and a half weeks....after 3 days of rest I was back to normal.....i could run again (as during this time I went from running 5 miles a day to not even being able to running for 30 seconds.....
Now I am back at work I literally have the same symptoms......everyone should decide if they love their stressful lives vs. taking it easy where possible.
I am going to see a cardiologist next week.
I am only 37, male, healthy, exercise daily and this has put a big dent in my normal everyday life.
September 9, 2017 - 6:07pmThis Comment
Hi, I have the same strangling feeling (no pain just pressure) I had this about 5 years ago. I also have the sensation of my eyes feeling like they are "popping" out and pressure in my head.
September 4, 2017 - 4:13pmLast time I finally got referred to an Electrophysiologist Cardiologist who diagnosed a form of Ventricular Tachycardia for which he did a catheter ablation.
I felt 10 years younger after the procedure as I could no ,anger feel my heart beating all the time. Apparently it is quite common for this condition of an irregular heart beat to return and it seems it may have. I am currently getting ECG and referral to a new cardio specialist as I have moved house.
I hope this helps some of you. Best of luck
This Comment
Has anyone here heard of sjorgens syndrome or disease it seems to cause the dry or watery eyes and the strangled feeling xx
June 29, 2017 - 2:40pmThis Comment