British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hello
For a few years now I have been having problems with throat discomfort, and have had various investigations like endoscopy, x-rays, barium swallows, mri scans, etc to try to diagnose the problem, with no conclusions being drawn, other than (weirdly) an operation to remove growths from my sinuses. The main physical symptom over this time has been that my adam's apple seems to be distorting downwards, and now seems to be all compacted immediately above the hollow between my colar bones. My doctor has assured me from the start that it is not possible for the adam's apple to move in this way, but the thing is, it's my adam's apple and I am absolutely certain that it has. Another symptom that has been getting progressively worse is a constant lactic aching in my upper arms, worst when I awake in the mornings. Finally, over the last few months I have found myself choking when I wake in the mornings, and sometimes choking myself back awake a few times when I try to go to sleep at night. I suspect that this last is OSA and is a consequence of what is happening with my adam's apple, but I have been to see my doctor with this problem so many times and have tried so many referals etc with nothing found that I think he now just dismisses me as worried well and trots out the same response without really listening to me.
So in desperation, please can anyone tell me if my symptoms sound familiar and/or offer any advice for treatment.
Thanks
Tim

Hi Tim and welcome. You certainly seem to be having a rotten time. Please go to your GP and tell him exactly what you told us. Only he can get you diagnosed, and start you on any treatment. I hope you find things get better very soon.

Hi Tim,
Take the results of epworth_sleepiness_scale test back to the GP with you. Ask your partner if you stop breathing during the night or is it just a choking sensation you are getting, it may be worth taking a partner along to the GP with you, if you have one.

Hi Tim

You could always try recording yourself when you're asleep, there is an app for an iphone or you could use a sound activated recorder. At least with this you'd have something concrete to take to the GP

Angi

Change your GP (if practical) - having described my sypmtons to one gp I got a better response from another gp when i moved home.

Recording the sound you make when sleep is a good idea.