feeling of lump in throat?

The "globus" sensation (feeling of a lump in throat) can be caused by more than one thing. In the "old" days, globus was named globus hystericus (hysterical females...). Now, ENT docs are recognizing that many cases of "globus" are due to GASTRIC REFLUX--specifically a type of gastric reflux called LPR (Laryngeal-pharyngeal reflux).

I am not sure if the globus feeling comes from a high up esophageal spasm, but I think it might. Dr. James A. Koufman, M.D. is a VOICE EXPERT ENT (ear, nose & throat doc) who has a very informative & helpful webpage about LPR (and GER/gastro-esophageal reflux), at http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/pt_info.html

When a good(VOICE SPECIALIST) ENT looks at your throat and vocal cords, during a laryngoscopy, he or she usually can see some physical signs that suggest the presence of gastric reflux, such as swollen vocal cords, sometimes redness (erythema), but sometimes no redness, and sometimes mucus "standing" across the vocal cords.

Dr. Koufman was a pioneer in getting ENT docs to recognize the connection between LPR and voice problems (and even breathing problems).

I will email you some holistic gastric reflux "tips" that I learned from Dr. Koufman, and from Michael T. Murray, N.D.'s book about digestive problems. I would post them here, but space doesn't allow it.

My husband and I both have the LPR form of GER, but have it under control, using the tips. Run the tips by your doc, to be sure that they are OK for you to try. Gastric reflux (untreated) can aggravate both Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD), and Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD).

I will also email you some SINUS TIPS, in case they might be helpful. Run these tips by your doc, first, too.

Good luck to you!

This has turned out to be a very interesting post. Thanks so much for posting your experiences and concerns.

My the way Carol (Concerned Lady) I don't know where you found the website on Breathing, etc. However, I am glad you did and you posted it this is stuff we as suffers need to know and learn about.

Susan, prior to my Selective Largyneal ADductor De-Innervation/Re-Innervation surgery in June of 2001. I had developed a Granuloma on one of my vocal cords,(Which is bacically a pocket of infection that can be developed when one has a lot of acid reflux and/or GERD. It is not life thearten, but is something important to seek the proper treatment and keep and eye out on your acid reflux condition. I have to take medical for acid reflux/GERD from now through out my life I suppose. I have took them for a long long time already. Of course you have the find the right one for your system to be able to control acid reflux. Everyone is different, some have a slight, mild, moderate, severe cases of acid reflux. And beleive me this is something someone does not need to avoid getting treatment for cause it can and will affect your voice, vocal cords and surrounding parts of the upper anatomy.

I have had the same feeling you are having the feeling of tighten and lump or something stuck in my throat. And yes it could be nodules on the one or both cords, that can happen. But don't worried nor get all upset just yet, cause it shoulds like you are on the right track, expecially since a couple of the doctors have already said you may have SD. Also I wanted to let you know Stress can play a hugh part in tightnening you throat up. So try to be under a little stress as possible. Stress is not the cause of your voice problem either, so don't that that bother you. I have a lot of times I am just tired and can't relax and I get that tight feeling in my throat sometimes. Try to do something you enjoy doing to releive the strained feelings to help get your mind off of it. I know it is all eaiser than said!

Hang in there and put your faith in the good Lord. Keep us updated and let us know what happens. Be sure to ask the doctor what type SD you have ADductor or ABductor or Both?

Thank you, for your kind words. Just over a year ago, I made the website, "Can't Breathe? Suspect Vocal Cord Dysfunction", at http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com because my husband and I had experienced VCD. My references are on page 9 and on the "links" page.

My husband and I soon learned that we had to figure out our several underlying causes, so that we could eliminate, lessen, or treat the causes, in order to stop the VCD attacks. Page 5 & 3 of my website have important lists of many causes, triggers, aggravators, and pre-disposing/associated conditions that altogether result in VCD attacks.

These same factors seem to aggravate Spasmodic Dysphonia, also.

For example, sinus problems, indoor air pollution, and Gastric reflux (the LPR/Laryngeal Pharyngeal Reflux) can each (or together) cause VCD, and these factors can also aggravate SD.

I will email you some Gastric Reflux Tips that don't include acid-blocking medications, in case these might be useful. I wanted to post the tips here, but there's too many words in the tips to fit in the allowed space.

Good luck to you and everyone! :-)