Throat Tightness After Eating/ How Powerful is TMS Really?

[alex_tb]

A few days ago I posted here, but I've realised it was in the wrong subforum. Here is a copy of what I posted:

"About 7 weeks ago I had a severe adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. My main symptoms were severe muscle pain so bad that I couldn't stand up and neuropathy. These symptoms have improved greatly and overall I'm feeling a lot better, however about a month ago i noticed my tongue started to tingle after I ate which progressed to my throat feeling very tight and burning in my mouth and lips every time I ate. Sometimes it feels tight/ sore right under my jaw and sometimes the base of my neck, right above my sternum notch feels very tight and breathing/ swallowing feels slightly constricted. However I have never been unable to swallow or had any wheezing. I have also noticed an increase in post nasal drip which puts pressure on my soft palate and adds to the discomfort.

Two weeks ago I had a session with a psychologist who specialises in mind-body type disorders and he also guided me through some tapping on my body (I know it sounds a bit weird but I'm willing to try anything that may help). After this session I have noticed a significant reduction in the mouth symptoms, however the throat tightness remains and it has started to also feel painful/tender to the touch.

I am mainly scared that the reaction to the antibiotics could have triggered some MCAS like syndrome and that the tightness is actually swelling from an allergic reaction. I know that this is incredibly unlikely, however I cannot get past this fear and not being able to eat properly is destroying my life. Has anyone else experienced symptoms like this and been able to recover?"

Because my symptoms had been changing I managed to convince myself that it was TMS and I think I had a few times where the front of my neck felt painful after eating, but it didn't feel tight. Then two days ago I got fixated on my bottom lip looking redder and more chapped than the top lip. Stupidly I googled why this might be and everything said allargies, so my fear of MCAS returned full force. When I ate dinner after this my throat felt very tight and painful, even though I was eating one of my "safe foods". Then yesterday my lips swelled a little after eating and today they are still swollen and the skin is peeling a lot. I had never noticed any swelling before I became fixated on my lips, although my bottom lip had been looking a little inflamed but I went and looked through old photos of myself and it has always been more red and somewhat chapped (chronic dehydration I guess?). I am wondering if this sounds like TMS and if it is possible for TMS to cause actual swelling and inflammation?

 

[Cactusflower]

“before I became fixated on my lips”

The fixation is key. One of the non-pain symptoms of TMS is this fixation or OCD-like thinking.
Speak to your TMS coach about it, they can help to guide you through ways that can help. One of the best ways is to stop worrying about fixating on anything.
Dr. Schubiner's work discusses the fear of fear, or the fear of anxiety.
We notice the things that are symptomatic of anxiety in us and then we fear that we are not anxious again.
Anxiety is benign. It can't hurt you, it won't kill you, and if you let it be (especially in conjunction with TMS) and stop fearing the thoughts and sensations surrounding it, it tends to be fleeting - learning this skill can take time, especially if you've been reactionary to it. An ex. might be "I HAVE TO STOP THIS FIXATION" or the constant worry about any physical changes you see in your body - HOWEVER you've had some that are concerning and that do need some attention and when the nervous system is already on high alert from (in your case, a reaction to medication) our minds can search for more concerns. The mind needs assurance we are safe.
Ways to create safety: work on RESPONDING vs. reacting. A reaction is to say OMG I must google every single symptom and then focus on the one thing that says this is a HORRIBLE condition! A reaction might be: oh, my neck feels tight. It didn't feel that way before... and move on with your meal without panic if action is not needed (you aren't choking, you don't feel swelling etc.). Perhaps today your neck is just tight. Similarly to your lips. Today perhaps your lips are just dry and peeling so being kind to oneself might be to use a lip treatment and see what happens tomorrow.

If you have "safe foods" there is probably a lot more going on that you've mentioned in your post. I love that you have had an appointment with a TMS psychologist, and it might be really beneficial for you to create a relationship with this person so you can work through your anxieties and concerns. They will teach you skills that will help you navigate the times (eg. skills like responding vs. reacting) that anxieties increase, and to encourage you to stop using Dr. Google as your source of deciding what is safe and unsafe in your body.