throat area

[Ginger637]

Ive been having a feeling in my throat like somone has a thumb pressing on my throat the sensation goes through to my back inbetween my shoulder blades and it even goes into my chest what could that be? Thank You

[elantra2006]

Hi,

I had been diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia in 2006. I had a sharp stabbing, electrifying pain in my throat region that was felt upon swallowing, coughing, drinking, eating and talking. After dealing with my PCP for several weeks, I insisted to be seen by an ENT. He diagnosed my situation as glossopharyngeal neuralgia. I was put on gabapentin twice a day and it helped for a while although I had break through pain. The dosage was increased approximately a year later after being sent to a neurosurgeon. Another year went by with the increased medication, then the pain started to worsen and I was put on carbamazepine also. The combination of medication made me feel sick so I opted for the micro vascular decompression surgery to relive the pain. I had the surgery in June of 2008 and have been pain free since then.

As for MS, I don’t know very much about it and I don’t’ know if you’d be a candidate for the surgery. If so, it may help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me~elantra2006

Good luck,
MaryAnn

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

The one diagnosis which I can think of in your case is glossopharyngeal neuralgia but in this condition the pain/pressure can be quite severe. In this the pain begins in the throat and usually radiates to the neck and is due to the pressure on the glossopharyngeal nerve, a nerve which supplies to the tongue and the throat. In this condition, the initial management is with the drugs and if the medical management fails, then the surgical exploration is done to mobilize any blood vessel if it’s pressing the nerve.

I would advise you to consult an ENT surgeon and take an opinion and seek treatment. I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted.

Kind Regards.