Mummy says… My big sister Lea has been suffering since February 2017 with severe anxiety and for months before this a throat condition. Only yesterday she learned that she is suffering from an actual condition – Globus Pharyngeus, a result of heightened anxiety. Lea had given me her full permission and support to write about this and to raise Globus Pharyngeus awareness to hopefully help others….
What is Globus Pharyngeus?
Globus Pharyngeus, Globus sensation or Globus Hystericus as it is also called is the feeling of a lump in the throat where no true lump exists. It is extremely common affecting 4 people in 100.
Lea has had a gastroscopy (camera down the throat) and an ultrasound scan of her throat and neck, and everything was normal. No lumps, or anything that shouldn’t be there. Lea also had blood tests initially to rule out Glandular fever.
Lea has already found that since learning she has this condition a week ago she feels much ‘better’. Happier, over the moon that there is a reason for why she has had this very real sensation in her throat for over 18 months, she is sleeping better and actually looking forward to her future and moving to London in September.
How did it affect Lea?
It was a viscious circle. Globus Pharyngeus was seemingly triggered by heightened anxiety, and the more anxious and stress she felt, the worse the Globus Pharyngeus was.
Lea has been afraid to sleep for months. She felt her throat was restricted and that she was actually going to die due to to her throat closing. This increased before we were due to go away, as she panicked thinking how would she access medical help if she needed to.
Lea couldn’t go on sleepovers. She has been exhausted and run down. Her quality of life had decreased significantly. Lea has even been physically sick with the stress of it all.
I am going to be writing more posts with lots of information and updates of Lea’s progress, but for now, I just want to raise Globus Pharyngeus awareness in the hope that it might help anyone else who is suffering with severe anxiety and has this ‘lump in the throat’ when there isn’t one. Lea actually felt she was going mad, as she feels the sensation physically – as if someone is continually pressing on her throat, yet there is nothing there. You can find some more information here.
Have you heard of Globus Pharyngeus – or suffered from it?
April 23, 2018 at 9:29 pm
I’ve not heard of this before and what an extra pain it must ave been for Lea as I know she loves to sing. Mich x
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April 23, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Poor Lea, that must be so awful. But what a relief for you all to know what is causing it and hopefully it can be treated. I’ve never heard of it before but I do sometimes struggle to swallow, or get an urge to swallow if I’m feeling anxious so it makes sense to me!
April 23, 2018 at 10:29 pm
I hadn’t heard of this before so it’s great that you’ve written a post like this to highlight it. It sounds awful to have to live with!
April 23, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Poor thing – so glad she’s been diagnosed and hopefully things will be on the mend soon!
April 24, 2018 at 2:03 am
I hadn’t heard of this before. Thank you so much for writing about it, and to Lea for being willing to have her experience shared with us, too. It must be a terrifying thing to experience. Now I know about it I’ll know to look out for it and to direct anyone who describes these symptoms to relevant information, so I’m very glad to know more. Thanks again.
April 24, 2018 at 9:41 am
Such a worrying time for her, but so pleased to hear that she now has a diagnosis.
April 24, 2018 at 3:53 pm
I haven’t heard of this before, but my 17yo has bad anxiety, bless him. It’s great that you know what is going on with her and hopefully, things will get better. x
April 24, 2018 at 11:15 pm
I am hearing more and more of anxiety disorders in young people. It really has a hold on so many. I just hope she`s able to get rid of it altogether. Sending many blessings xoxox
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April 25, 2018 at 10:31 am
Oh gosh, I fee really sorry for your daughter. I hope she is ok. Thanks for raising awareness of this little known condition Kaz. I hope she improves
April 25, 2018 at 11:06 am
Never in my whole life have I heard of this! Thank you so much for sharing. I send you both my love xxx
April 25, 2018 at 11:37 am
She must be in extreme pain. I didn’t know about this kind of disease and it’s really nice that you’re raising awareness in case people aren’t aware that they are or their loved ones are suffering from it.
April 25, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Now you have explained the condition it makes a lot of sense as you hear a lot of old sayings such as having a lump in your throat. It must feel like lea is suffocating at times with fear. I hope you all get the support you need x
April 25, 2018 at 8:01 pm
oh gosh, to say it is fairly common it isn’t something that I have heard of before. Hope Lea is getting the help that she needs as it sounds awfully stressful x
April 25, 2018 at 9:26 pm
I haven’t heard of it, poor her though, it sounds very stressful but at least there’s an answer and I hope she feels better now she has some of the facts around it.
April 26, 2018 at 10:01 am
Sending lots of love to Lea and I hope she’s able to live her life in a better way now. It was very kind of you to create awareness about this condition.
April 26, 2018 at 11:13 am
I have never heard of it before, but i so glad shes found out what it is and can learn to cope and understand it better
April 26, 2018 at 2:46 pm
I’m so pleased that she has a diagnosis, this is really going to help her move forward and I thin this post will really help to support others who are experiencing the same thing. It sounds awful to experience
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April 26, 2018 at 5:51 pm
I’ve had this in the past but never knew the name for it. It’s really horrible, I hope Lea is feeling much better soon
April 26, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Thanks for raising awareness. I’d not heard of it before. Get well soon Lea xx
April 28, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Wow I have never heard of this but the fact it effects so many people makes me feel like I should have! I’m glad she’s feeling happier!
April 30, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Sorry it took so long to finally diagnose this but glad she’s already feeling better! I had no idea so many people suffered from this!