@patstricks - Your symptoms sound like they align w/ those of ES or hyoid bone syndrome. ES symptoms are notorious for being inconsistent i.e. coming & going, being severe then tolerable or disappearing & reappearing days later. Some symptoms can remain constant as you’ve noted w/ the foreign body sensation.
Below are a couple of links to posts that will help educate you regarding the symptoms ES can cause. Your plan to get a CT scan (of the area from skull base to hyoid bone) is perfect. Ask if you can get some 3D images along w/ your CT slices as that will help you better see what’s going on in your neck as well.