Throat problems

[Nancy]

Oh gosh-

Yesterday Joe told me that he's been having a strangling feeling in his left throat area when bending. Plus his voice is very weak and hoarse.

I'm worried that this means some sort of worsening of his right-sided heart failure which manifests in some left side problems, in particular jugular vein distension, or that his cardiac cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, portal hypertension is causing other vein problems in the throat. His pulmonary hypertension as well can cause jugular vein distension and left-sided vocal chord paralyzation.

None of this is very nice to contemplate. But it may be why his cardiologist didn't want to do a TEE when he was hospitalized a little while ago. He did say he was afraid of esophageal damage, possibly a bleeding incident.

He sees his cardiologist tomorrow and an ENT doc in a week.

Keep us in your thoughts.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Nancy and Joe:

You are in my thoughts. Good luck on the 2 doctor appointments.

 

[Karlynn]

Joe has my prayers.

 

[twinmaker]

I will keep you both in my prayers. Keep us informed on how the doctors' appointments go. Linda

 

[Granbonny]

Nancy

Nancy

Joe will be in my prayers tonight. Let us know what his doctor's say tomorrow. Bonnie

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes to Joe and please let us know how he does tomorrow.

 

[Cris N]

Will keep both of you in my thoughts & prayers. Hope whatever is bothering Joe is nothing serious.

Cris

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Sounds like we all will have you covered on this one! Many prayers from West Virginia!
Debbi

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Sorry to hear of Joe's new symptoms.

As one of our esteemed members (NANCY ) councils others, "There's no point in worrying until the Doctor has examined the patient and the results are in" (paraphrased)...

Has Joe ever had any problem with Acid Reflux?

Swallowing problems and a hoarse voice can be symptoms
of GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease which several of our members also suffer from. It may be worth visiting a gastroenterologist to check this out. The gold standard is an upper endoscopy using a probe that is smaller than the ones used for a TEE.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[geebee]

Nancy,

Prayers and hugs coming your way. Hope all goes well with the doctor.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Nancy and Joe,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted.
Take Care

 

[Harrybaby666]

You and Joe are in my heart and prayers Nancy...

You and Joe are in my heart and prayers Nancy...

Gosh, you both have been through so much lately, and I hope it gets better for you right quick....You are both in my thoughts and prayers. Harrybaby

 

[Christina L]

Nancy,

Nancy,

You and Joe are both in my thoughts and prayers. Al may have a point about seeing a gastroenterologist if all else checks out negative, which I certainly hope it does.

Christina L.

 

[Nancy]

Joe's been on Prevacid for years and years. But who knows? It could be a lot of things. Just have to wait and see.

 

[hensylee]

We are always nervous when we hear about something different with Joe. You know how many will be coming in here all day to check? ALL of us. Prayers

In another thread maybe you can update us on you?

 

[Mb]

Dear Nancy:

As you know, my husband also has severe tricuspid regurg, and right sided heart failure.

He is very hoarse at times. Also has GERD, etc..etc. etc.

Have Joe sit at that 45 degree angle they are talking about, and see if the neck vein distention is worse. Or if you can see his eyes bulge with each pulse. His ears may even move with each pulse.

Wayne's cardio showed me how to do this, and what to watch for. When Wayne is feeling poorly, I make him do it. Generally this worsening symptom means he needs to take more lasix.

Good luck with the Dr. today. I will be checking in to see the posts.
Marybeth

 

[tobagotwo]

Oh, what a roller coaster is dear Joe...

You are both in my thoughts, and I hope it is a fleeting symptom that bodes no ill.

Very best wishes,

 

[Chrisandgary]

I will be thinking of you and please keep us posted. Good luck at the appointments - I will pray that it is nothing.
Christine

 

[catwoman]

Nancy:

Have both of you in my prayers today.

 

[Marguerite53]

wishing you the best.

wishing you the best.

Nancy. sorry to hear about Joe's latest discomfort. I would want to echo the notion of gastro distress of some sort. I get that same strangling feeling when bending over sometimes. It's scary! Changing my diet has helped alot, and I know you are a stickler for Joe's correct diet choices. Could anything be exascerbating his tummy? I have a wedge shaped pillow that I sometimes use at night, like a ramp. It's not terribly comfortable, but it does relieve the situation (and my husband claims it keeps me from snoring, of course, as he drifts back off to sleep once I'm laying on it, it is HE who starts sawing logs!!)

There is also some kind of condition (cannot remember the name of it) where the muscles in the throat actually tighten but don't close which can feel quite like choking, like you cannot get any air. I read about it once, decided it could be me, chose to "get in touch" with the sensation when it occurred, force myself to relax deeply in that area of my body when it does occur, and the mental suggestion of relaxing does ease the sensation. I've been told by some that it's probably anxiety. I think that's like the hysterical woman thing. I don't buy it. Something is actually happening.

Good luck with the cardio and with keeping Joe comfortable.

Marguerite