inability to swallow

[EstherB]

does anyone else get this? when it happens, it makes my life a misery, and it's happening right now. it comes and goes in phases and basically what happens is i put the food in my mouth and as i'm chewing, i feel my throat cease up and i can't swallow. my throat muscles seem to close my throat and push upwrds and it's really terrifying. it takes me forever to eat a meal and sometimes i just have to give up... anyone else? xx

[emmalou]

That happens to me when I'm really anxious. I just try and relax and
sip on cold water. I'm sorry this happens to you so often.

[sherbear]

Me too. I find that taking a drink (even with food in my mouth) makes swallowing so much easier.

[cookiemonster]

I also get this. I used to have a fear of choking, and it would take me an hour easily to eat a meal. Just take your time and enjoy your meal.

[Girlygirl1980s]

. [img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img] Edited by: Girlygirl1980s

[kandykaye]

THis happens to me a lot. And it comes adn goes, but when it comes...it is awful! I have wondered if it is related to the emet somehow. I also have a fear of chocking. I have a mouth full of food and have to distract myself somehow so I can swallow. It is really strange. And I know exactly what you mean about just giving up on a meal! It gets so tiring and you get so uptight, you can't even think about putting any more food in your mouth. I, too think it is caused by anxiety. I just try to take it slow and think about something else when I am getting ready to swallow.

[EstherB]

Wow - I'm glad it's not just me... It is really horrible because for those few seconds where I'm trying to swallow and my muscles are saying 'no way' - sometimes even when I really WANT the food, I get so panicked that I'm going to v*. I know it's just anxiety but sometimes it gets so bad that even swallowing water is hard. Thanks for your responses, guys It's great to have the site back... Hale's is great but I did't find it as supportive and friendly as here...

[densecloudz]

Acid reflux


[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]





Thats what it is, just another thing added to my emet worries

[EstherB]

I don't think it's that because I don't actually get any acid...
I have had acid reflux while I was pregnant though and it was different x

[sage]

This is a really common symptom of anxiety, Esther. When it happens again, if you just tell yourself this, it may help. Also, breathing deeply from the abdomen will trigger a parasympathetic nervous system response (something that calms the body down, almost immediately). Hope this helps - take care.

[seventhquest]

When I was younger, I got this all the time when I was nervous. Usually while trying to eat breakfast before going to school in the morning lol Really cold drinks helped a little...not sure what else I can say, except that it eventually went away for me. Good luck!

[EstherB]

Thanks so much for the words of advice - you're right, Sage - sometimes if I tell myself it's just anxiety etc then it does help, though not always. Will def try the deep breathing thing - thanks again