piece of plastic in throat

@virginia5561 Welcome to Mayo Connect, Virginia. How nice of you to try to help your friend find some answers to this unusual problem. I have never heard of such a problem. Does she (or her doctor) know how this was embedded near the juggler? Could it have been from an accident, etc.? The Mayo Connect community represents people with a variety of health problems so perhaps someone can relate to this type of surgery, if not to your friend's exact problem itself. Has she sought any second opinions for surgery? Best wishes to your friend as she makes this decision, I'm sure she must be very uncomfortable. Keep in touch and let us know how your friend is doing.

This is from my friend stating how this happened:

On August 11, 2015 I had an emergency appendectomy with IV. Went home after that and went to bed for two days. Part of the plastic IV cover fell away and we looked for it at the time they were releasing me from hospital. We tried to find the last piece as I was preparing to leave from hospital in Ft. Worth.

During my recuperation/sleep at home I somehow breathed the piece, that I am surmising stuck to my arm, into my throat. I tried for two days to cough it up and eventually went to the ER. They took an x-Ray and saw nothing and sent me home. Two weeks or so later went to another ER and they did another X-ray and sent me home again. Went to ENT and he videoed throat in late August early September 2015. Then, In early October he did outpatient surgery to find it. Found nothing.
He thought it was in my head/imagined from irritation of appendectomy anesthesia. Sent me to UT southwestern. That specialist, in January of 2016, videoed throat and found nothing. Sent me home with recommendation of cough drops and to come back later if it really bothered me. Offered lyrica if uncomfortable. Was able to deal with discomfort for last nine months until began losing voice about 6 weeks ago. Getting more uncomfortable.
Called UT SW and requested a sonogram or something further. Dr had Cat-scan done. He called yesterday and said cat/scan showed a jagged piece of plastic embedded three centimeters below surface in throat below where tongue ends in throat.

Dr. described object as next to artery and creates a very delicate situation. Also advised could have permanent pain from surgery due to invasiveness of surgery and location. Or everything could go just fine. Have appointment with doctor on 23rd to see first-hand what he had described yesterday over phone. Dr didn't give odds or feel one way or other. Said I needed to decide. I'm hoarse all the time now.
Can get copy of cat-scan if needed. Bizarre situation.

@virginia5561 What an unusual story. I'm so glad that your friend continued to pursue the reason for her pain. Let us know how her appointment goes on the 23rd and if she is able to come up with a good decision. The hoarseness sounds like a troublesome thing to have to live with. Best wishes!

Where in the world did this come from? Did you have an operation in that area?<br>Same Doctor that told you to leave it alone?<br>If you live in a rural area I would get a referral from a doctor not related to this problem to the nearest well know large hospital. <br>Love to follow your problem.<br>My thoughts are with you and good luck.<br><br><br>

I just went to a ENT Dr this week about a lump I feel in my throat. He said I have acid reflux and go to a Gastro Dr. My primary dr put me on Prilosec several months ago no help at all! Now I'm on Nexium 40mg but it may take 2 mts to see if that works. I had Cervical Surgery in early April C3-C7. The surgeon told me he was going to move my Esphogus over to one side because he did it from the front of my neck. I had Reflux Surgery in 2008 and I had silent reflux nothing but a chronic cough. It took care of that but I have it back now! I think the Neurosurgeon messed up my Reflux Surgery! I give up on doctors!<br><br>

A second opinion is an option and can be helpful whenever considering surgery. Your friend may consider seeking a second opinion, though she should do so very soon since it sounds like a painful and serious issue to have a foreign object in her throat.

Also, this is a list of questions to ask before having a surgery from the American College of Surgeons that may be helpful to your friend as she makes a decision: https://www.facs.org/education/patient-education/patient-resources/prepare/10-questions

Any updates? I'm going through a similar situation. I sleep with a night guard for TMJ and a piece broke off and is stuck in my throat. I can feel it. Dr sees it's swollen on that side. Not sure what to do. I'm freaking out on day 2 now. ENT cannot get me in till next Thursday.