RA and throat issues | Arthritis Information

Looking for some help again :)

I have had a throat discomfort while swallowing for the last 4 weeks. I am wondering if this could be related to RA.

It all started the day before I got my prednisone. I felt a slight discomfort while swallowing in the left side of my throat. When I took the presnisone it helped with the discomfort but I would still wake up with discomfort. I just thought it was a basic sore throat problem. Then two weeks later when I still had it, I went to urgent care because my primary was out on vacation. The urgent care doc said it was just an infection and gave me arethromicyn (sp) antibiotic and it helped for two days then the pain came back. Some days the discomfort is pretty bad, some days I can barely feel it. So, I went to see my primary a week after I went to urgent care and he said the antibiotic is still working and it is probably nothing as I did not have pain from touch or any lumps in my neck. It still was discomforting while swallowing though. So, I let it go another week and a half until I saw my primary doc on thursday morning. He again examined me and found nothing unusual. No pain in my throat from touching it and no lumps but still hurts when swallowing. He said it could possibly be a localized infection and he set up an appointment with a ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor so I can find out for sure.

My worst fear is Cancer but something tells me it is not cancer because I would probably have intense pain. I think it could be the RA affecting me. After I take the Pred, the pain is eased considerably when swallowing. I also understand that taking these meds make it very hard to fight off infections. I am wondering if anyone here has had a infection last longer than 4 weeks.

Has anyone here ever heard of having RA affecting their throat?

I am scared more than anything. I hope it is nothing too serious. :(

Have you had your thyroid checked - a possibility is it could be inflammed from thyroiditis. Check out the recent thread on Thyroid.

Karen

I'm not sure, but since you already have one immune disease, you may have another - Thyroid. Sometimes people can FEEL their enlarged thyroid gland. It's the only thing that came to mind, but I'm sure there are probably another 10 reasons your throat might feel like that. When I think of more, I'll post them....hehe

It could be thyroid or it could be the RA inflammation affecting your throat and vocal cords. Your best bet is to get into the ENT. Until then, maybe some salt water gargles and that numbing stuff you can spray back there to help with pain.

Good thoughts and wishes to you on that appointment that it is nothing major.

I have had throat pain for the last few years.. it preceded the RA diagnosis by far. I even had my tonsils removed 3 1/2 years ago because the pain never went away in my throat. The ENT that removed my tonsils said they were the worst he had seen in his career. I had a terrible time healing and hoped that would fix the throat issue but no such luck. Everyday it hurts- related to the RA, to be honest I had not made the connection but it is something to look further into for both of us I think.

Good luck,

Stacy

"Have you had your thyroid checked - a possibility is it could be inflammed from thyroiditis"

Thyroiditis? great, that must mean I am really in trouble now...:( :( :(

The doc gave me a pretty good checkup and he noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Wouldn't he be smart enough to recognize a thyroid problem? The pain is in the left side of my throat just about one inch underneath my jaw area.

I could not find a thread on thyroid problems.

Great, one more thing to add to my list of ailments :(

Does this mean I am dead soon? I hate this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, you are not dead soon. But I can understand your worries when a new thing pops up. We all tend to think the worst because of this stupid disease. Thyroid problems are pretty easy to manage and deal with. But yes, if it is thyroid, you will be adding another med to your ever growing list.

Yeah, I hate this too. Seems like every time you get settled with meds and used to one...something new inevitably pops up. URG!!!! It just sucks and sometimes is not avoidable since our diease is auto immune. It just causes all sorts of other issues. But hey we are here for you to vent to!!

No no no no calm it down now!! You'll be okay. :) Just...ask your doctor SPECIFICALLY about your thyroid.

Though what you're saying sounds more like gland issues...which could be like 8 million things. lol Even so simple as, you have a cold that is just showing itself as swollen, annoying glands. Be persistent with your doctor about how much it's bothering you, and maybe he can start questioning other reasons for the pain.

Thank you folks!!! I appreciate your concern! Thank god for the internet :)

What is weird is when i turn my head to the left I feel no pain while swallowing but when I turn to the right I feel the pain when swallowing.

I just hope it isn't cancer. :(

are these doctors morons? If someone came to me with throat pains and they RA I would check their thyroid and be more thourough. I hope my do checked that out when he was pressing on my neck.

I have no pain just when I swallow.

He probably was checking your thyroid when he pressed on your neck, but like anything else, that's not a fool proof way to determine. It's just the FIRST way to check.

If you keep worrying about cancer like this, you're gonna MAKE yourself sick! Zeek, A sore throat was one of my first symptoms. I still get them often. I think it is our immune system but I definitely think it is RA related. I apologize - I only read Zeek's post.Well it seems like if you are dieing you are gonna take a lot of us with you. I think this is very common with RA - I get the sore throat (on one side) and also a swollen tongue. My rheumy says not to worry so I dont, my PCP says one sided sore throat could be from sinus drainage, but also says not to worry so I don't. Keep a daily journal of your symptoms or lack of and also a list of questions to take with you to your doc - make a copy for him and one for you and go through it one thing at a time. It will get you answers, help you from forgetting to ask or tell him something, and give you peace of mind. Hugs and good vibes.

I just feel like my body is falling apart slowly, piece by piece.

Im still going to try to keep the positive vibes!!!!!
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