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I choke when I eat!
darrenlclayton posted:
I started having a problem in high school (6-8 years ago) where almost every time I ate something I would literally (or feel like) I was choking on anything and everything I ate, no matter how soft the food. I eventually had a test run where they did some x-rays on my chest and abdomen while I drank some chalky liquid stuff then later they ran a camera/light down my throat and looked but still found nothing. The problem to me doesn't seem to be in my stoumach, I think it is in my throat, like right when I swallow it's either going to go down or it gets stuck, and I put my finger down my throat and puke it back up. When this happens I freak out because I feel like I'm choking to death. I have drastically changed my diet where I may eat once a day, not that I dont want to eat more but am afraid of choking. One doctor told me that it could be stress and that people often get that when they are stressed. Has anyone had this problem or possibly know what it is? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you....
21 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I started having a problem in high school (6-8 years ago) where almost every time I ate something I would literally (or feel like) I was choking on anything and everything I ate, no matter how soft the food. I eventually had a test run where they did some x-rays on my chest and abdomen while I drank some chalky liquid stuff then later they ran a camera/light down my throat and looked but still found nothing. The problem to me doesn't seem to be in my stoumach, I think it is in my throat, like right when I swallow it's either going to go down or it gets stuck, and I put my finger down my throat and puke it back up. When this happens I freak out because I feel like I'm choking to death. I have drastically changed my diet where I may eat once a day, not that I dont want to eat more but am afraid of choking. One doctor told me that it could be stress and that people often get that when they are stressed. Has anyone had this problem or possibly know what it is? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you....
cher79 responded:
I can so relate to this. I have had it for years, having most of my problems with eating meat - only my food would get stuck right in the middle of my chest and just stay there - just like a plug. Nothing could go in or out. I don't know how many times we have been to restaurants and I have choked either at the start of the meal and had to leave, or in the middle and spent most of the time in the washroom of the restaurant trying to puke it up. Family doc put me finally on this med called Losec and it really helped and also had a test the same as you, only they also put what they looked like a garden hose down my throat to open the esophagus (sp). It's not great but much better now. I know I will have this crappy problem for the rest of my life. Chicken and beef and raw veggies are the worst for me. Hope this helps.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I can so relate to this. I have had it for years, having most of my problems with eating meat - only my food would get stuck right in the middle of my chest and just stay there - just like a plug. Nothing could go in or out. I don't know how many times we have been to restaurants and I have choked either at the start of the meal and had to leave, or in the middle and spent most of the time in the washroom of the restaurant trying to puke it up. Family doc put me finally on this med called Losec and it really helped and also had a test the same as you, only they also put what they looked like a garden hose down my throat to open the esophagus (sp). It's not great but much better now. I know I will have this crappy problem for the rest of my life. Chicken and beef and raw veggies are the worst for me. Hope this helps.
darrenlclayton responded:
Thanks alot. I have had this problem for so long, had so many tests done with no results I lost hope. I will def. look into that, hopefully I'll be able to eat and gain some weight which I haven't been able to do in prob 5 years! THANKS!
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!Thanks alot. I have had this problem for so long, had so many tests done with no results I lost hope. I will def. look into that, hopefully I'll be able to eat and gain some weight which I haven't been able to do in prob 5 years! THANKS!
Dr_Patricia_Farrell responded:
Actually, stress can cause this. Remember what stress does to the body in one interesting way--it makes your mouth dry. So, I would think that your doc is right and it might be helpful for you to begin on a stress-reduction program for yourself.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!Actually, stress can cause this. Remember what stress does to the body in one interesting way--it makes your mouth dry. So, I would think that your doc is right and it might be helpful for you to begin on a stress-reduction program for yourself.
b3autifulscars responded:
I have had this problem for about 4 years now. I've just been dealing with it because I figured it had something to do with anxiety or stress because 80% of the time it happens when I'm in public or have company over. Almost everytime it happens I am eating chicken, but that may have to do with the fact that that is the meat I eat the most of. Usually it gets stuck in the top of my chest. I end up have to force myself to bring it back up. It is very terrifying everytime is happens! The thing is, I don't remember feeling any extra stressed or anxious when it happens, until after when I have to run from the dinner table and throw up in the sink with company over....
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I have had this problem for about 4 years now. I've just been dealing with it because I figured it had something to do with anxiety or stress because 80% of the time it happens when I'm in public or have company over. Almost everytime it happens I am eating chicken, but that may have to do with the fact that that is the meat I eat the most of. Usually it gets stuck in the top of my chest. I end up have to force myself to bring it back up. It is very terrifying everytime is happens! The thing is, I don't remember feeling any extra stressed or anxious when it happens, until after when I have to run from the dinner table and throw up in the sink with company over....
sean44michael responded:
I have that same problem. It first happened to me when I was in high school but then stopped for about 5 years. Lately it has been happening more often. I think it is self induced sometimes because it usually happens when i sit down to eat and am already anticipating it happening. I have cut back on a lot of foods that I like to eat for fear that I will "choke". Even though it feels like you could die, you never do right? So When it happens to me I tell myself that it will pass and that I can't die because I am still able to gasp in some air during each episode. Make sure you are breathing properly and steadily during meals. "Double chew" your food and swallow before putting the next bite in your mouth. I know sometimes it just happens no matter what but this has helped me some of the time.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I have that same problem. It first happened to me when I was in high school but then stopped for about 5 years. Lately it has been happening more often. I think it is self induced sometimes because it usually happens when i sit down to eat and am already anticipating it happening. I have cut back on a lot of foods that I like to eat for fear that I will "choke". Even though it feels like you could die, you never do right? So When it happens to me I tell myself that it will pass and that I can't die because I am still able to gasp in some air during each episode. Make sure you are breathing properly and steadily during meals. "Double chew" your food and swallow before putting the next bite in your mouth. I know sometimes it just happens no matter what but this has helped me some of the time.
VipDesigns replied to sean44michael's response:
Check this out. It cured my problem for a while, unfourtanately it came back.
A Schatzki ring or Schatzki-Gary ring is a narrowing of the lower part of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing. The narrowing is caused by a ring of mucosal tissue (which lines the esophagus) or muscular tissue.[1> Patients with Schatzki rings can develop intermittent dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), or, more seriously, a completely blocked esophagus. The ring is named after the German-American physician Richard Schatzki .
A Schatzki ring or Schatzki-Gary ring is a narrowing of the lower part of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing. The narrowing is caused by a ring of mucosal tissue (which lines the esophagus) or muscular tissue.[1> Patients with Schatzki rings can develop intermittent dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), or, more seriously, a completely blocked esophagus. The ring is named after the German-American physician Richard Schatzki .
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!Check this out. It cured my problem for a while, unfourtanately it came back.<br /> <br />A <b>Schatzki ring</b> or <b>Schatzki-Gary ring</b> is a narrowing of the lower part of the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esophagus">esophagus</a> that can cause difficulty swallowing. The narrowing is caused by a ring of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucosa">mucosal</a> tissue (which lines the esophagus) or muscular tissue.<a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schatzki_ring#cite_note-Schatzki-0">[1></a> Patients with Schatzki rings can develop intermittent <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphagia">dysphagia</a> (difficulty swallowing), or, more seriously, a completely blocked esophagus. The ring is named after the German-American physician <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Schatzki">Richard Schatzki</a> .
rickdeb31 replied to VipDesigns's response:
I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you.
I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you
I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I don't know if this is the same issue or not, but my husband had difficulty swallowing and such, and the test results showed the Schatzki ring--After 6 years of putting up with the choking and such, finally a doctor suggested him to try Prilosec OTC and he is 99% cured. Thought this may be worth a try for you
this has happened to me for years. The food gets cuaght and it feels terribly uncomfortable. Typically I can burp it out and the feeling goes away. I usually find it when i eat breads as i think i eat too fast and dont chew enough. I think the above thoughts are contributing but Im usually ok if I really pay attention to chewing double.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!this has happened to me for years. The food gets cuaght and it feels terribly uncomfortable. Typically I can burp it out and the feeling goes away. I usually find it when i eat breads as i think i eat too fast and dont chew enough. I think the above thoughts are contributing but Im usually ok if I really pay attention to chewing double.
Patricia Farrell, PhD responded:
Yes, it's true, some who are under stress or who have had a problem with choking on food in the past, sometimes experience problems with swallowing. It's very much like developing a phobia. First, something frightening or painful happens and this sets up a situation for fear in the future. Then, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. You eat, you're afraid you'll choke and then you have problems swallowing. The more it happens, the stronger the fear is reinforced. For some people, it amounts to a situation where they can only swallow liquids.
I suggest that you look for a licensed, certified biofeedback specialist who can work with you on this.
I suggest that you look for a licensed, certified biofeedback specialist who can work with you on this.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!Yes, it's true, some who are under stress or who have had a problem with choking on food in the past, sometimes experience problems with swallowing. It's very much like developing a phobia. First, something frightening or painful happens and this sets up a situation for fear in the future. Then, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. You eat, you're afraid you'll choke and then you have problems swallowing. The more it happens, the stronger the fear is reinforced. For some people, it amounts to a situation where they can only swallow liquids.<br /><br />I suggest that you look for a licensed, certified biofeedback specialist who can work with you on this.
myownhealth responded:
I think I understand how you feel. I've had a similar issue to where I almost feel like I will throw up or choke right when I swallow either a food or liquid. This has been going on for me for about a year and a half now. It really bothers me because I feel like I can't eat my own food around my family without feeling totally uncomfortable. But it doesn't end there. I also feel like when I'm just sitting in my classroom with my fellow classmates, that I might throw up without evening eating anything. It just makes me feel very awkward around others. This never used to happen until around January or February of 2009. I don't know what to say, but it's getting old.
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I think I understand how you feel. I've had a similar issue to where I almost feel like I will throw up or choke right when I swallow either a food or liquid. This has been going on for me for about a year and a half now. It really bothers me because I feel like I can't eat my own food around my family without feeling totally uncomfortable. But it doesn't end there. I also feel like when I'm just sitting in my classroom with my fellow classmates, that I might throw up without evening eating anything. It just makes me feel very awkward around others. This never used to happen until around January or February of 2009. I don't know what to say, but it's getting old.
endlessblueskies responded:
Hey...glad to meet ya!..i actually have the same problem..it is terrifying to eat!!!!!!!!!! i thought i was the only one..i have jumped up and down when i ate frosted mini wheats!..will not eat them again...then just plain lunch meat on plain bread, had to stop that.. i have to tear my food in to bits..and then still i am aware..and you can tell anyone because no one knows what the heck you are talking about!..i have almost died on so many occasions and still i dont say anything..because how do you explain it!..it is somewhere in my throat..i am convinced...
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!Hey...glad to meet ya!..i actually have the same problem..it is terrifying to eat!!!!!!!!!! i thought i was the only one..i have jumped up and down when i ate frosted mini wheats!..will not eat them again...then just plain lunch meat on plain bread, had to stop that.. i have to tear my food in to bits..and then still i am aware..and you can tell anyone because no one knows what the heck you are talking about!..i have almost died on so many occasions and still i dont say anything..because how do you explain it!..it is somewhere in my throat..i am convinced...
gingerlypenny responded:
I've been choking for a while now, and I have a lazy esophagus. I went through a horrible test, called a manometry, plus several scopes. My problems all originated from a food allergy - being allergic to certain foods for 40 years, now my body cannot and will not tolerate anything I'm allergic to. I have celiac disease, gluten-intolerance.
It goes further than that, though - I choke when I drink fluids, whether I sip, or drink through a straw. Who chokes on WATER?? Me...
Also, at night, I have terrible acid-reflux - I begin coughing if I sleep on my back, and water will not relieve the cough. Generally, it ends with a trip to the bathroom! Sometimes several! And if I inadvertantly get something I'm allergic to, if it manages to stay down, I pay for it for days after with terrible stomach cramps.
I've even had the nissan fundliplication done, which was supposed to stop this. Didn't work! Several medications, still nothing.
Don't give up! Check your food allergies also!
It goes further than that, though - I choke when I drink fluids, whether I sip, or drink through a straw. Who chokes on WATER?? Me...
Also, at night, I have terrible acid-reflux - I begin coughing if I sleep on my back, and water will not relieve the cough. Generally, it ends with a trip to the bathroom! Sometimes several! And if I inadvertantly get something I'm allergic to, if it manages to stay down, I pay for it for days after with terrible stomach cramps.
I've even had the nissan fundliplication done, which was supposed to stop this. Didn't work! Several medications, still nothing.
Don't give up! Check your food allergies also!
Report This| Share this:I choke when I eat!I've been choking for a while now, and I have a lazy esophagus. I went through a horrible test, called a manometry, plus several scopes. My problems all originated from a food allergy - being allergic to certain foods for 40 years, now my body cannot and will not tolerate anything I'm allergic to. I have celiac disease, gluten-intolerance.<br />It goes further than that, though - I choke when I drink fluids, whether I sip, or drink through a straw. Who chokes on WATER?? Me...<br />Also, at night, I have terrible acid-reflux - I begin coughing if I sleep on my back, and water will not relieve the cough. Generally, it ends with a trip to the bathroom! Sometimes several! And if I inadvertantly get something I'm allergic to, if it manages to stay down, I pay for it for days after with terrible stomach cramps.<br />I've even had the nissan fundliplication done, which was supposed to stop this. Didn't work! Several medications, still nothing.<br /> <br />Don't give up! Check your food allergies also!
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