Hi,
Before searching for overactive gag reflex on the internet, I thought I was the only crazy person with this problem. I thought that I had an eating disorder but most eating disorders are associated with a psycological problem but I do not think I am overweight. I told my parents about it but they said they never heard of anything like that. I am a 20 yr old female, 5'7 and I only weigh 105 lbs. I had this problem for about a year and I feel like its getting worse. I avoid going out to eat with anyone because I gag within the first few bites. I can't even have a bowl of cereal. I feel like this problem is stopping me from gaining weight because I dont eat much. I try to force down the food but it gets frustrating. Eating should be enjoyable but I dont look forward to it. It gets worse when I get stressed out and sometimes I gag for no reason even when Im not eating. I went to the doctor and he told me to buy Pepcid AC, I am currently taking it but the box says I will see results after 14 days. Does anyone know anything that works for sure? Thanks.
Before searching for overactive gag reflex on the internet, I thought I was the only crazy person with this problem. I thought that I had an eating disorder but most eating disorders are associated with a psycological problem but I do not think I am overweight. I told my parents about it but they said they never heard of anything like that. I am a 20 yr old female, 5'7 and I only weigh 105 lbs. I had this problem for about a year and I feel like its getting worse. I avoid going out to eat with anyone because I gag within the first few bites. I can't even have a bowl of cereal. I feel like this problem is stopping me from gaining weight because I dont eat much. I try to force down the food but it gets frustrating. Eating should be enjoyable but I dont look forward to it. It gets worse when I get stressed out and sometimes I gag for no reason even when Im not eating. I went to the doctor and he told me to buy Pepcid AC, I am currently taking it but the box says I will see results after 14 days. Does anyone know anything that works for sure? Thanks.
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I have a ton of chronic pain and bizzare symptoms, but my eating ones aren't this bad. Have you tried any creative coping mechanisms, like numbing that gag reflex? I know some OTC cold meds do a lame attempt, but I use Lidocaine/Prilocaine (new version of novocaine) cream to help calm my other muscles. Maybe the doc would be creative and try something of that sort?
Never give up! Be creative and do your own research, you are your own primary care physician!
(That's what I've learned in my six years on intense and crazy chronic pain anyway)
Cheers!
Never give up! Be creative and do your own research, you are your own primary care physician!
(That's what I've learned in my six years on intense and crazy chronic pain anyway)
Cheers!
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i have been reading everyones posts bec i am looking for relief to similar symptoms as well( for my daughter) we are waiting to have an endoscopy done on her and maybe that will shed a little more light, However i will tell you two things ive heard that might help someone out there. One - I heard this from a friend who told me that she suddenly started choking when she would eat anything, and had the symptoms for a bout a year- it turns out her uvula the small bulbous sac that hangs at the back of your throat was enlarged - she had surgery done and all was back to normal - another friend said shed been given antibotics and her condition went away. My daughter though was not so much choking as gaggging or having her food come back up, throwing up, burping and feeling nauseous. We took her to a doc in NYU shes had a barrium and nose thingamajig done nothing so fat, but he did mention something interesting that might be affecting someone out there, He said that some people might be having something like reumination (im not sure of the spelling )ie chewing the cud - kind of like a cow ! and that certain exercises might help, such breathing from the stomach making sure you sit straight while eating - i dont quite recall the exact eercises other than that, so id have to look it up online - im sure there somewhere out here. Our doc said that it has helped some of his patients and that b4 we do anything else we should try it - hope this helps someone out there.
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Two years ago, I had a stroke. Ever since then, I have had a problem eating. Foods don't taste the same, and many foods make me gag immediately, while there are a few that I can eat without much trouble. However, I can be eating any food, and suddenly the gag reflex will kick in and I throw up for no apparent reason. I lost over a 100 pounds before I found a small group of foods that I can usually eat without gagging. Sweet foods, very spicy foods, and some crunchy foods make up my diet now. I suspect that the nerves controlling my gag reflex have been damaged, so that my tongue randomly and suddenly thinks the food in my mouth is a foreign object that needs to be expelled. I'm really frustrated by it all, but don't know of any solution.
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Hi, i have the exact same problem, im 16 year old wanna be a bodybuilder but i simply cant keep up with the eating, i have the appetite to eat, but i will start gaging after the 5th bite, i need some advice :-) please
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I have exactly the same problem, however, it's not nearly as sereous. I'm even fairly overweight. About half the time when I eat, I get this lump in my throat. If I have somthing to drink with me, I can take a big gulp of some liquid and be able to swallow whatever seems to be stuck in my throat. When I don't have anything to drink, though, it gets worse and worse untill I start involuntary making these awful gurgling sounds in my throat. I then get a VERY bad pain between my breastbone and adam's apple.
Just this evening, I went out for dinner, and I ran out of water. I started heaving, and eventually I had to run to the restroom to vomit up the bit of chewed up chicken I had in my throat, and also A LOT of mucus. After I got done with that, I waited for the waitress to come back and asked for a refil. Then I just went on eating as before. I don't really call it heartburn because there's no burning sensation, just pain.
It must be my gag reflex, because as an infant, I had such a strong gag reflex that I threw up all the time. I still almost vomit when I have a strep throat test or anything like that. I fon't even know if this is related, but I get hiccups all the time after eating, and I always eat slowly anyways.
I would really like to know what this is
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omg! this has been my life. i have had every test done have been to every specialist and nothing found! i am 30 now and this has been going on for as far back as i can remember, stress is the key i can eat 95% of the time with out any problems as long as i am home alone and sit still and dont talk for a few hours. glade i am not alone. :)
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Check out info on Schatzki Ring.
http://www.medicinenet.com/schatzki_ring/article.htm#
http://www.medicinenet.com/schatzki_ring/article.htm#
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I literally thought I was the only one in the world that was going thru this. I figured no one would ever understand the feeling of not being able to order food at a restaurant without stressing out that you won't be able to even take 2 bites without having to spit up the food cuz you can swallow it. I don't vomit but I do feel that my throat closes up and so my heart will start beating so fast from anxiety. Its not so much a gag reflex but a feeling in my mouth/ throat that disables me from continuing my meal. Food is supposed to be enjoyed and like some of you've said, its a major role in your social life. I've turned down numerous invites by friends simply because I am not able to eat like them. And I jealous that for almost 9 years, I have been struggling with this. I am 25 now and I've kept weight at 108lbs, which is not bad, I'm only 5'3. But its the fact that I've learned how to mentally prepare myself at each meal. Sometimes, it flares up after one spoonful of ice cream or a bite of a cookie. I wait, and rather than taking a big bite, I tend to nibble as this makes it way easier to swallow for some reason. I am afraid of going to the doctor because what if they will never know what it is let alone there won't be a cure. I can eat pretty much anything but lately, I've noticed that by eating spicy foods does curb this reflex. And allows me to eat. But by consuming spicy foods, lately it has been triggering heart burn and acid reflux. It has taken a mental toll on me since I am not able to take my significant other to a restaurant. Or dine out on a Friday night. Luckily on our first date, she ordered in pizza, and at the comfort of my own home, I was able to eat in front of her. Large meals trigger acid reflux. So small portions is key for me through out the day. I don't know, sipping thru a straw seems easier for me to swallow rather than taking a big gulp from a cup. Any one have suggestions as far "labeling " this and what specialist I should attend?
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Since my last post, I have found a wonder drug that has cured my problem. It is gabapentin. My doctor prescribed it for neuropathy, but almost immediately after starting the medication, the gagging stopped. The drug is frequently prescribed for epaleptic patients, but it did wonders for me. Anyone with this gagging problem should discuss the possibility of trying this with their doctor.
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yes this is the problem am facing for upto few weeks, whenever im taking food or even any drinks, im feeling immense pain in my lower throat, suddenly when my tongue senses the food..i dont know why this happening....after few seconds it will be normal,,,,
i gotta check with the physician
i gotta check with the physician
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So if I ask my doctor to look into recommending it, would it be possible? Sounds like you had the same thing especially when you mentioned your tongue not recognizing its food but more of a foreign object. That's exactly how I feel.
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Hi my name is andi and my 15 and my family dont no i have a social anxiety and i do gag every time i go out to eat i got to go some were with my hole family for a weekend and i dont no what to do. sore for spelling
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Hello.
I have this condition too. For me, it oscillates: one time I can be fine and able to eat a huge greasy meal, and then another, I am struggling to swallow a small spoon of soup. The lowest point is when you are unable to swallow your own saliva without gagging. This latter problem happened to me today, and I started to have a panic attack which made everything so much worse, because I'm absolutely sure the majority of these cases are psychological in a way.
I already know my digestive system is messed up; I have been blessed with IBS too (which started several years before this). However, IBS has made me aware that I can be extremely stressed even when I don't realise it. That makes it very difficult to control conditions such as this. There appears to be 3 solutions:
a) Some sort of psychologist / meditation / hypnosis etc - Anything that will permanently sort your demons out, or just a periodic thing that keeps you relaxed. I think if you can do this, you're very lucky.
b) Drugs. I'm sure there are a few drugs that can relax you /muscles or even treat possible underlying conditions such as excessive stomach acid.
c) My solution. Peppermint Tea. Don't knock it. A warm (not hot) Peppermint tea does wonders and for those of you who have pains in your chest - unless is really bad indigestion / heartburn - you're suffering from an Esophageal Spasm. This isn't as bad as it sounds, because from research it has no long term effects - but it causes your food pipe to spasm / cramp making it difficult to swallow. When I have these spams, I then get a bad bout of gagging for maybe even a month after. However, a Peppermint tea is able to relax the food gullet muscles.
Good luck everyone.
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