Hello all, this is a reply to pretty much everyone with my own story. Please read my insights, they may help.

I've had four, yes four(!), surgeries for clicking larynx syndrome so I have some insights. The superior cornu larynx cartiledge and the hyoid can "click", which is extremely hard to live with and can be fixed via surgery where they remove those 2 areas. Technically the surgeries were a success for me since "those" clicks are gone, however I have an issue now that is roughly behind my Adam's Apple.

This rubbing/click can feel gravelly, sharp, or mild. It depends on how inflamed my throat is that day. It also happens at the END of my swallow, and my swallow feels off to me, which I'm sure is important. I have a general sore throat 24/7 back near the soft palate and further down, plus a tightness/inflamed feeling in the larynx area. I have no answers yet about this remaining issue, but I'm seeking treatment for GERD and will see a swallowing expert about it. I don't nessesarily think it's GERD but I do have some of the side effects. I also reccomend you all look up Globus Sensation. The University of Iowa has a good write up on it.

The surgeon who treated the clicking larynx is ignoring me now (literally). Maybe he thinks I'm bonkers but we all know I'm not. That leads me to piece of wisdom #1:

1. Many doctors may basically say you're dumb, need antacids, or just anxious. If the antacid route doesn't work for you, go find someone who will actually try and HELP you, like a swallowing expert. Do NOT let them ignore you. If they won't test the heck out of you go somewhere else. I've had no less than 3 doctors ignore this issue. Well I can tell you it's not anxiety. It's a physical abnormality that has ruined my life. I was totally normal until 2 and a half years ago.

Okay, here are some of my other bits of wisdom, maybe they can help you.

2. Give ice or heat a try. Get an ice/heat combo pack and see if that helps at all. It won't fix you, but it might help symptoms.

3. YAWN! Yes, yawn. A lot. It must stretch something that tends to help, in my case at least. If I'm having a good day, yawning a bunch and have low inflammation, the click will be less.

4. Gargle with salt if you can. This is a lesser helper but I've found it can help. Whether the salt decreases inflammation or the muscles are relaxed by the gargle I cannot say.

5. Look into your posture. Wear a posture corrector and maybe get a cervical pillow. I've noticed it can help. Of course, it only helps, doesn't cure.

6. Buy a massager with a facial mode and massage your neck. I do it before bed. Not practical to do it all the time but it does reduce the click for a short period.

7. Look up some good neck stretches, there are yoga videos on YouTube. Try them out and do them often.

8. Lastly, there IS a mental component, for me at least. I'm not saying mental stress caused it, because it didn't, but it can make it worse. Perhaps we tense certain muscles when we're stressed. Look into ways to help your mood and stress.

9. Try gum. Gum does a few things for me. It replicates actual swallowing, instead of DRY swallowing. When I eat or drink the click is less, but dry swallowing is the opposite. It also distracts me if I'm having a bad throat day.

PS: love you all. This type of issue is life altering and I'm amazed at how little help medical science has been so far. I've gone from %100 enjoyment of life just 2 and a half years ago to maybe %70.

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