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What causes Clicking or Popping in Throat when Swallowing?
I was doing some neck massages a few days ago and then afterwards whenever I swallow, I feel a clicking/popping sensation and sound when my larynx moves up upon swallow. There is no pain at the moment but the popping sensation in my throat gives me anxiety whenever I swallow. Is this the result of the cartilage rubbing on each other? Is it from the hyoid bone rubbing the thyroid cartilage? Are there exercises that can fix this?
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@erikhusbands
Ughhhh that sucks - how did you get diagnosed if you don’t mind sharing
I’ll be seeing a new ent next Friday so I’m hoping to get a different point of view
This is exhausting
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3 Reactions@findcure0921 I told my ENT at The VA Fresno that I looked up my symptoms and the only thing that came up was Clicking Larynx Syndrome. She looked it up, and ran a scope into my nose and down my throat, watched me swallow, and said "yup, you are right, you have Clicking Larynx Syndrome. " She then told me she was arranging an appointment with an ENT in Palo Alto. (What she didn't tell me that she was leaving The VA to go into private practice with her husband. ) The Palo Alto Dr right away decided it was Gerd without looking. Didn't look at any charts or the previous Dr's notes or scope. Typical VA Dr, doesn't give a shit about the Veteran, just his money.
@nrd1 I believe you’re implying conversion disorder. Look at the amount of people reporting how they, and their loved ones, have experienced this for years. It’s not a mental health issue. Please don’t be dismissive.
@findcure0921 please keep us posted. This has happened for years. 🙁
Someone here mentioned GERD. That may be the cause, but it’s not the answer.
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2 ReactionsFor clarity: It’s a mechanical - not audible - clicking /popping when swallowing. It’s at the same location, repetitive, and sporadic. It stops when you lightly press it but resumes when you remove the pressure. Then, the “episode” randomly stops.
While pressing along the sides of my esophagus—from under my chin downward—it “dislocates” on both sides. When I stop pressing, the sensation returns in the same spot while swallowing.
Nothing was found in barium swallows, x-rays, and scopes. There was no popping at that time.
Relief:
My PT’s exercises worked! (Spoiler: it returns if you don’t keep it up). GET A DOCTOR’S PERMISSION BEFORE DOING STRETCHES.
“Chin tuck with over pressure” and “cervical rotation stretch” work for me.
Good luck!
@sleepyerin so the ENT I saw on the 22nd of August said he was "not a specialist in this" and recommended speech therapy and GERD medicine. (I've been on GERD meds for over 5 years). Kick the can down the road. He said he would not do surgery because "too many things could go wrong". I'm a retired Army Infantry Veteran. I've got back problems, knee and ankle issues, foot issues. Pain in all those places and shoulder issues as well. I don't want another thing that is going to keep me up at night! Frustrated!
@sleepyerin I will definitely - I got told it’s GERD but I know it’s not - just doesn’t make sense to me because I actually feel something physically poking and causing me to be bothered