What causes a feeling of foreign body sensation in throat and pain?

Posted on Fri, 7 Mar 2014

Question: Hi, I have had constant feeling of a foreign body in my throat for 22 years, and none of the specialists I have seen have come up with a diagnosis other than it's a trick of the mind. Now 50 years old, I am finding the discomfort to be an increasing distraction. It affects my choice of clothing (can't wear shirts with buttoned-up collars), causes constant aching in the right side of my face and regular headaches in my right temple, makes alarming clunking feelings in my throat, and I never seem to get away from this feeling of my nerves being 'on edge'. In more recent years I have also developed what could almost be described as chronic fatigue syndrome, and I wonder if that has derived from this incessant feeling of a pencil-like object being jabbed into the right side of my throat underneath the jaw joint. But now I sense a 'eureka' moment - I have just come across something called Eagle Syndrome. I can relate to all of it's symptoms except one defining factor: when exploring with my fingers the tender area in my neck, I cannot feel any unexpected bone protrusions. Could this still be Eagle Syndrome, or are there other paths I could explore to get to the bottom of this?

Answered by Dr. Roopa Hiremath (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Chronic fatigue syndrome, Post viral neuropathy Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for choosing health care magic for your query. I understand that you are trying to figure out the causes for the foreign body sensation in throat and pain which you seem to have been suffering from for the past 22 years. First of all, you do not have eagle syndrome as you do not have an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. The other causes for your symptoms have to be ruled out. 1. Infection of ear, nose or throat. 2. Allergic causes, post nasal drip 3. Anatomical abnormalities of throat 4. Chronic fatigue syndrome most commonly due to infectious mononucleosis 5. Post viral neuropathies most commonly due to herpes zoster. 6. Stress I suggest you get in touch with a neurologist and get a detailed examination done to rule out the above mentioned scenarios. I hope I have helped you with this answer. Please let me know if I can assist you further. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Roopa Hiremath (5 hours later)

Thank you for your detailed reply, Dr. Hiremat. I am wondering now how you can rule out eagle syndrome without a phsyical examination of the affected area, but will visit my doctor to request an appointment with a neurologist or ENT specialist to follow up your suggestions. Best regards, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Roopa Hiremath (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer: X ray showed no positive findings Detailed Answer: Hi Mr. XXXXXXX Welcome back. You have mentioned in your medical history that you have undergone X ray which did not show any positive findings. Radiography should have detected an elongated styloid process if at all present. I suggest you explore the scenarios, I have mentioned in my previous answer and get appropriate treatment accordingly. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar