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What Causes Constant Pain In Throat, Breathing Problem And Severe Fatigue?

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Posted on Fri, 29 Apr 2016
Question: Hi,

I am 32 years old male. I don't smoke, but used to drink alcohol for three days in a week (quit drinking alcohol now, after experiencing the below health issues).
For the past two months, I am having the following problems,

1. Constant pressure/tightness with dull pain inside my throat (around the thyroid gland), feeling like something is chocking my throat and I am having trouble in breathing (feeling like, I am pushing the air in the throat).
2. Mucus congestion in my food pipe, which starts from throat and approximately ends near the stomach.
3. Feeling very tired and sleepy.
4. Getting a feeling that, the food/water stuck at the food pipe. If I bend my body or lay down in bed, food/water is travelling back to mouth.

My throat was Inflamed at the beginning, but it is okay after taking a course of antibiotics (prescribed by my GP). No symptoms of cold, flu, weight loss or cough.

Blood and urine test were normal. Sugar and other levels are also normal.

I took a throat ultrasound scan for thyroid. In result, they mention "everything is normal, apart from the presence of a 0.3cm likely colloid module at the right lower pole".

I visited ENT specialist, he checked my throat using endoscope (the small camera which goes inside nose) and confirms nothing serious or abnormal.

I used to have heart burn problem in the past (around five years back), but not now. My ENT prescribed me to take 'Esomeprazole 20mg' X 2 per day and 'Avamys nasal spray'. I am taking it for the past 35 days.

But, still the above mentioned four problems are remains same. If I eat something or sleep for some time, that gives a temporary relief from these symptoms; but re-starting againn in couple of hours.

Can you please let me know, what is and why this is happening to me? How long will it persist? What should I do next to resolve this problem?

Please let me know, if you need more details.

Thanks,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Worst case best case.

Detailed Answer:
First, how can you know about mucous in the food pipe? If you can see down there or had domeone look down there... well....so much for my suggestions! (which would be to have someone look down there).

Second.
Best case is irritation of the food pipe. This occurs with colds/drainage/and with antibiotics. It can be from a yeast infection that is entirely analogous to the vaginal one, but in the food pipe. Same treatment but it is far more successfully treated in the food pipe (never had it fail).

There can be scar tissue from irritation of the food pipe. This can cause progressive problems in getting food down. It often needs surgical correction (like sticking something big down it to resize it open surgery... taking longer to do the insurance form than the actual procedure. The worst complication of the surgery .. breaking open the food tube, doesn't necessarily result in any consequences (it closes itself back up; it heals up like a deep scratch in hours to days). Very annoying condition. Not serious condition.

There can be irritation of the food tube from hiatal hernia and/or reflux without any test showing it but treatment for it (over the counter prilosec twice a day) being very effective in most in under 1 week.

Worst case is cancer of the esophagus. Curable if found early. Always found on looking down. Risks are alcohol and cigarettes. I've only seen one case. It was in someone about age 40. Rare in 20 yr olds or younger , somewhat increasing risk with age BUT often occurs in fairly young people.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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What Causes Constant Pain In Throat, Breathing Problem And Severe Fatigue?

Brief Answer: Worst case best case. Detailed Answer: First, how can you know about mucous in the food pipe? If you can see down there or had domeone look down there... well....so much for my suggestions! (which would be to have someone look down there). Second. Best case is irritation of the food pipe. This occurs with colds/drainage/and with antibiotics. It can be from a yeast infection that is entirely analogous to the vaginal one, but in the food pipe. Same treatment but it is far more successfully treated in the food pipe (never had it fail). There can be scar tissue from irritation of the food pipe. This can cause progressive problems in getting food down. It often needs surgical correction (like sticking something big down it to resize it open surgery... taking longer to do the insurance form than the actual procedure. The worst complication of the surgery .. breaking open the food tube, doesn't necessarily result in any consequences (it closes itself back up; it heals up like a deep scratch in hours to days). Very annoying condition. Not serious condition. There can be irritation of the food tube from hiatal hernia and/or reflux without any test showing it but treatment for it (over the counter prilosec twice a day) being very effective in most in under 1 week. Worst case is cancer of the esophagus. Curable if found early. Always found on looking down. Risks are alcohol and cigarettes. I've only seen one case. It was in someone about age 40. Rare in 20 yr olds or younger , somewhat increasing risk with age BUT often occurs in fairly young people.