I've had a throat issue for over 1.5 years now. Feels like something stuck in my throat. I've had a CT scan, Barium Swallow, upper endoscopy with Bravo (pH probe in throat to check for reflux). Nothing found.

Only thing found since the beginning is "You're uvula is a fairly long." Went back to the ENT today and he agreed that uvula was possibly my issue. He looked and it is touching the back of my tongue. So we are scheduling have it lopped off. I opted to be put to sleep. It could be done in the office, but that didn't sound like much fun.

Anyhow I don't expect this is a common thing, but maybe someone on here can has had this issue?

Get a second opinion. A partial uvulectomy or complete?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Get a second opinion. A partial uvulectomy or complete?

Complete. Seems they don't really do partial. Regarding the second opinion, not really sure what I'd be looking for. I've been to 4 specialists. this is sort of the process of elimination.

I guess it would depend upon how bad your throat issue is. What you describe could have a psychological basis as well. Did it bother you five, ten years ago?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I guess it would depend upon how bad your throat issue is. What you describe could have a psychological basis as well. Did it bother you five, ten years ago?

It started about 1.5 years ago with the feeling of something in my throat, like popcorn kernal or something. It has gotten slightly worse but not much. What is much worse is burning mouth syndrome, which may not even be associated.

I did start a very stressful job 3 months before this started. I actually just got my old job back and my last day at hell job was yesterday. So before my surgery is scheduled I'll have a few months without the stressful job. So if it's stress related I may know before they lop off my uvula.

I'd approach with extreme caution. I was an orthodontist for 30 years and treated many patients with cleft palates. Obviously, that's an extreme example, but ending up with a soft palate a little too short or immobile due to scar tissue could have some undesirable side effects on your voice as well as your ability to keep liquids from going up into your nasopharynx. It's entirely possible that the ENT has considered those problems, but worth asking.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
I'd approach with extreme caution. I was an orthodontist for 30 years and treated many patients with cleft palates. Obviously, that's an extreme example, but ending up with a soft palate a little too short or immobile due to scar tissue could have some undesirable side effects on your voice as well as your ability to keep liquids from going up into your nasopharynx. It's entirely possible that the ENT has considered those problems, but worth asking.

He did discuss those potential effects. Said he hadn't really had anyone have those problems and didn't expect I would have much of a problem either.

I am just at the end of my rope on this. If I'm talking a lot at work meetings, or after eating a meal, I have lots of throat clearing and irritation. When I say after eating, immediately. Not a digestive issue. It's that my throat is irritated by something. I also feel slightly better in the morning. So the fact the uvula is not resting on my tongue while laying down indicates that the uvula may be the problem.

I had a UPPP done about 20 years ago for snoring. If you are looking at just a partial uvulectomy, it shouldn't be bad at all. If, on the other hand, you're doing a UPPP, prepare yourself for a whole new adventure in pain. It is a great way to lose weight, though, as every time you swallow you'll go to your knees in agony for about two weeks. Liquid demerol became my best friend.

While the procedure worked, I can't say that I'd recommend having it done.

And yeah, the liquids going up your nose thing is a bit problematic, but eventually you'll learn how to swallow so that it doesn't happen.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I had a UPPP done about 20 years ago for snoring. If you are looking at just a partial uvulectomy, it shouldn't be bad at all. If, on the other hand, you're doing a UPPP, prepare yourself for a whole new adventure in pain. It is a great way to lose weight, though, as every time you swallow you'll go to your knees in agony for about two weeks. Liquid demerol became my best friend.

While the procedure worked, I can't say that I'd recommend having it done.

And yeah, the liquids going up your nose thing is a bit problematic, but eventually you'll learn how to swallow so that it doesn't happen.

So overall long term no bad side effects? It is odd I asked him about just shortening it and he seemed to indicate that full removal was what is done. I think I’ll send him a message to question that.

A buddy of mine had a partial done, maybe 10 years ago. He said they told him he had an unusually large uvula. He got tired of the jokes pretty quickly. Anyway... It made everything so much worse. He went through hell during recovery. Sounded about like what Gustofer said regarding pain and recovery. He snored more and louder after, and has been on a CPAP ever sense.

Edit to add: It also could have been a shitty Dr. No telling, but that is what he went through.

He is not a fan at all. I have not dealt with it, but saw what he went through and pretty sure I would not unless my life depended on it.

Your mileage may vary. Good luck if you move forward with it.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
So overall long term no bad side effects?

Long term? No, thankfully, as the short term ones were bad enough.

I just messaged the doctor to ask why not a partial. Will see what he says.

@Sig226fan, that is concerning. Especially since I am not 100% my symptoms are caused by this. But my issues are constant all day and causing me to be depressed and in a bad mood very often. I need some resolution.

When I was a kid tonsillectomies were routinely performed. Maybe similar? Was performed on me.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
When I was a kid tonsillectomies were routinely performed. Maybe similar? Was performed on me.

Doc mentioned similar pain from the removal. But long term issues are different.

Every so often I get that sensation and found mine to be Tonsil Stones. Which I found to dissolve using a good mouth wash twice a day. God Bless

Mine was removed to help snoring. Should never have consented to the operation. Removal did not help snoring & I now have a constant feeling of drainage.

I just like saying uvulopharangealpalatoplasty.

I hope all goes well, I haven't seen or done one in 20 years.

For a minute there you had me worried.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
For a minute there you had me worried.