For the past year and a half, I've had the annoying sensation of something
lodged in my throat. I have attacked every avenue of western medicine, and found
out only what I don't have: I don't have cancer, I don't have significant
reflux, I don't have a hiatal hernia, I don't have rhinosinusitis. So, I'm not
especially concerned that whatever is irritating my throat will kill me, but I
am concerned that it's having a significant and adverse impact on my life.

I've also had some gallbladder pain for roughly the same period of time. Western
medicine doesn't really draw any connections between these issues, but TCM does,
and my reading seems to point at problems with qi in general and liver qi
specifically. The only medical insight I haven't explored is that this "might"
be a symptom of a dental infection (in fact, I had a root canal right before
this all started), so I plan on following up with a dentist.

I have a history of lots of use of psychopharmaceuticals, but I haven't been
prescribed any in a few years. I also have a history of cannabis use for the
past 7 years or so, and over the past year I used a fair amount of opiates
(mostly because of some medical issues, which are now resolved). I continue to
use cannabis, but not every day, and I do not smoke it anymore, I use a
vaporizer to inhale cool vapor instead of hot smoke.

What I'm trying to come to terms with, is whether or not my cannabis use could
be to blame for my discomfort. None of the western doctors I've talked to seem
very convinced of this; on the other hand, I've found some very scary writeups
on cannabis in TCM lit (http://www.getbackyourdream.com/L4_kidneyjing.html).
I've noted that a couple people even sell TCM-oriented herbal mixtures aimed at
countering the side effects of cannabis (such as "Balance the Herb").

I'm going to start working with an acupuncturist/herbalist again next month. I
tried this last year and found it rewarding and relaxing, even if it didn't fix
my throat problems. The main constant symptom is a feeling of pressure and
uncomfortable dryness in my throat directly over the spot where the hyoid bone
sits on the left.

If anyone has any insight into any of these issues, I would appreciate it.