Has anyone else experienced narrowing/swelling of the throat

[gasp]

I have been using APAP therapy for 20 months. Over the last 6 months, I have noticed my throat feels as if it is narrowing and over time the sensation is worsening. I used a full nasal mask for almost a year (Mirage Vista). Six months ago I began using the CL2 with nasal pillows and it is about that time that I began noticing a sensation in my throat, just behind the larynx. The sensation grew and then I noticed that I could feel capsules (multi vitamins, vit D, glucosamine, etc) and even some foods (well chewed) going down and that sometimes they would stick. I have taken these vitamins for many years without issue so just mentioning them as when I take them the throat issue was highlighted. I drank water to moisten the throat first and that helped somewhat, but the narrowing is worsening.

I intend to see an ENT soon, but wanted the XPAP communities feedback first.

QUESTIONS
Has anyone else experienced this after being on XPAP?
Is it possible that using a nasal pillow mask versus full nasal mask lead to narrowing of the throat?
Is it narrowing or is it another issue that just feels like narrowing - dryness?

NUMBERS
Pressure: APAP Set 5.-11.0 cm/H20
One Month Snapshot of Numbers
Avg AHI: 2.0
Avg OAI: 0.6
Avg Hypopneas: 1.4
Avg NRI: 0.0
Average FLI: 0.5
Avg Time in Apnea: 1.2 Mins
Avg Apnea Duration: 1.6 Mins

Six Month Snapshot of Numbers
Avg AHI: 2.9
Avg OAI: 1.1
Avg Hypopneas: 1.8
Avg NRI: 0.0
Average FLI: 0.8
Avg Time in Apnea: 1.5 Mins
Avg Apnea Duration: 40.1 Secs

[-SWS]

Might ask the GI specialist for an endoscopic exam. I recently had one and discovered that I was under-treated for my acid reflux problem. Years ago my "silent" acid reflux problem was diagnosed with an endoscopic exam as well. My acid reflux disease was "silent" only because I didn't know or perceive I had that problem.

Anyway, untreated or under-treated acid reflux disease can cause difficulty swallowing (known as "dysphagia") as well as swelling or narrowing.

[ozij]

Gasp, don't wait for our feedback, go to a doctor now.

O.

[CorgiGirl]

Gasp, don't wait for our feedback, go to a doctor now.

O.

Agreed, this sounds a kind of like Barrett's Esophagus, which is related to GERD. I would get an appointment with a GI doc as soon as possible. Barrett's is nothing to fool with....

[riverdreamer]

That type of narrowing could also be due to thyroid issues. When the thyroid is inflamed and swells, it can be hard to swallow. Another reason to see the doctor.

[nobody]

Actually, now that you mention it I've had the exact opposite experience since being on CPAP a while. My throat feels more open during the day and my swallowing problems have just about disappeared. Before the CPAP treatment, I was having such difficulty swallowing that I choked every time I ate something. My doctor wanted to send me to some specialist for that, but I was so overwhelmed with all the other health problems and specialists that I finally said one thing at a time please. But after just a short time with the CPAP it went away and I forgot about it.

[gasp]

Thanks everyone for your reply. I will see an ENT soon.

I have had no history of indigestion, "heartburn", or other symptoms of GERD. I have had a history of underactive thyroid. I mentioned this to my husband, and that I wondered if it was due to XPAP so had written you all, and he said "that's funny, I have had that feeling in my throat too noticing it's getting worse lately.

Well heck, now we opened a can of worms. I started to see what we have in common that would have begun 6 months ago or so. We put out heads together and came up with:

- Purchased and am using new frozen condensed spices called Gourmet Garden that includes chili pepper. I have noticed that when I eat stews, chilis, or other product with chili pepper in it that my throat burns. Hummm, caused from chili pepper or is throat raw so the chili burns.....

- I began using scented oils throughout the home about six months ago. Perhaps these airborne oils are causing irritation - more investigation needed....

- We kiss too much and have shared some weird virus or infection : )

[riverdreamer]

If you have a history of low thyroid, I would check on that. I find if my levels go too low and I need more medication, I will get the feeling of constriction in my throat. Don't know if you are already on thyroid meds, but your needs can change over time.

Strange, though, that you are both having the same issue. I hope at least the first part of the possible viral sharing idea is true!

[swcompassionate]

Thyroid can definitely do it especially if you have a goiter, or increased size of your thryroid it can feel like you have a constant lump in your throat and it can make it difficult to swallow. Speaking from personal experience. Mine is not associated in any way with CPAP. My advice is the same as the others, see your doctor.

[kteague]

A couple times over the years I have had my esophagus stretched during endoscopy. My symptoms were mostly feeling like some foods were having trouble passing just a little below the throat in the chest. I do have GERD.

Another thing that can cause swelling is an allergic reaction. Are you sure you and your hubby didn't get a problem batch of those spices? Stranger things have happened.

Kathy

[tkadam]

A couple times over the years I have had my esophagus stretched during endoscopy. My symptoms were mostly feeling like some foods were having trouble passing just a little below the throat in the chest. I do have GERD.

Another thing that can cause swelling is an allergic reaction. Are you sure you and your hubby didn't get a problem batch of those spices? Stranger things have happened.

Kathy

Hey kteague (or any others with GERD) ... I was curious if your esophagus stretching had any type of impact (positive/negative) on your Sleep Apnea symptons?

[kteague]

tkadam - hmmm, never thought to consider that. If it did or did not make a difference, I wasn't tuned in to it. Will be interesting to see what others have to say.
Kathy

[-SWS]

I have had no history of indigestion, "heartburn", or other symptoms of GERD.

That's exactly the mindset and situation I was in before my trip to the ER many years ago. That, plus the difficulty I had swallowing at times because of esophageal swelling (hint, hint ). Anyway, it finally took a trip to the ER, with food caught in my esophagus, before I finally realized I had acid reflux disease.

I have been using APAP therapy for 20 months. Over the last 6 months, I have noticed my throat feels as if it is narrowing and over time the sensation is worsening...
Six months ago I began using the CL2 with nasal pillows and it is about that time that I began noticing a sensation in my throat, just behind the larynx...
The sensation grew and then I noticed that I could feel capsules (multi vitamins, vit D, glucosamine, etc) and even some foods (well chewed) going down and that sometimes they would stick...
I drank water to moisten the throat first and that helped somewhat, but the narrowing is worsening.

I think there's a natural tendency to intuitively associate "narrow throat" with our cursed SDB problem. But when you look at the phrases I have underlined above, it really appears as if you have two different anatomical problems occurring in different parts of the throat.

Your sleep disordered breathing problem is in all likelihood situated somewhere up around the pharynx, base of the tongue, tonsils, etc. But your description of throat narrowing and especially swallowing problems are seated way down at the esophagus. Hey, when it comes to "throat narrowing" those two problems like to team up and sing "You take the high road and I'll take the low road...". Statistically, apnea and acid reflux disease are linked like the dickens. And even in cases of so-called "silent" acid reflux disease, discernible symptoms like this are bound to occur:

I have noticed that when I eat stews, chilis, or other product with chili pepper in it that my throat burns. Hummm, caused from chili pepper or is throat raw so the chili burns.....

- We kiss too much and have shared some weird virus or infection : )

That's great IMO! Love heals... but not everything!



P.S. Not to dismiss hypothyroidism or other possibilities. I agree with the advice about seeing your doctor sooner rather than later.

[gasp]

Well, update is it's still there but getting a bit better as time goes by. Hubby reports the same. I've refused to kiss him until this whole throat thing is over At least it's not getting worse.