I really appreciate the information available in your forum. I think my symptoms sound similar to several other peoples' but I wanted to check some specifics.
I have been experiencing intermittent mild throat pain and tightness for more than two years. At best it feels like my "voice box" (larnyx?) is tight and my voice never sounds or feels as solid as it did in college (7 years ago). Recently, my voice has begun to crack on occaission (fortuneately, my coworkers think it is cute). Three years ago I began to produce (by swallowing-up or gargalling) grapefruit seed sized clumps of yellow-white gunk that is extremely malodorous (sulfury/fecal). If I crush one of those clumps in my fingers, I have to wash my hands with a lot of soap to get rid of the odor. I had a persistant case(s) of Lyme's disease during the same period and was on Rocephin (sp?) for eight weeks. During that time the clumps were less noticeable, but the tightness in my throat remained.
I have really good oral hygene (brush three times daily including all of my mouth as far back as I can without gagging). I am guessing I have some tonsil crypts and I am planning to try your suggestion of a salt soda gargal twice daily for a few weeks and I will mention it to my doctor at my next physical. What is your best educated assessment and does this sound like a good course of action, or would you suggest something more immediate?
Thank you very much,
Reply: -------------------------------
I would agree that accumulation of debris in tonsillar crypts is a plausible explanation for the symptoms you describe. Saline-soda gargles on a regular basis, possibly using a water-pik device would be a very reasonable start. If symptoms persist (and certainly if they worsen) despite several months of throat gargle/irrigations, then I would recommend consultation with an ENT specialist.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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