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If he's not complaining of pain, I wouldn't worry about his esophagus-- but still, this much vomiting can't be pleasant, even if he has a school routine. Since his vomits always seem related to something he thinks or smells, you'll probably have to work on this from a behavioral level with a psychologist to de-sensitize him to these kinds of stimuli. I don't think this will be a quick or easy fix, but I do think it's worth it to ask for a referral. Best of luck!

My nephew has a strong sensory gag reflex - stuff like the jumble of food in the cafeteria, going anywhere with animals and just general unfamiliar areas. He is being treated with OT and can now eat in the cafeteria without gagging. It's been not quite 6 months of treatment for him. Of course he also has mild autism, so that may be slowing his therapy some. I would recommend therapy and I'm kind of surprised your doctor hasn't suggested therapy.

What is OT? I am so green on stuff. Thanks

Occupational Therapy. Most states have programs that will provide it free of charge to kids and many have state agencies you can contact without doctor referral who can evaluate your child for what sort of therapy he might need.

My 5 year old son is having the same issue. Just got an email from the school in reference to a procedure they are going to use. He has always had a problem with gagging and then vomiting. Certain smells, textures, etc. can trigger this. However, just recently it has occurred more. He gags from the smell in the cafeteria and will not eat at school. My husband has been gone away for training for 6 weeks and will be gone for 2 more weeks, I wonder if the anxiety from this is making the gagging more prevalent. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am the mom that posted the anonymous thread that began the discussion. I carried my child to my pediatrician and had a very long talk and exam. My child didn't need therapy- he has a strong gag reflex- that's it. However, his increase in vomiting was being caused by an increase in stomach acid production which in turn was exacerbating the vomiting. My doc explained that the more a person vomits the more agitated the stomach acid can become. In a person with such a strong gag reflex this can make it worse. Damage is inevitable with that much vomiting. He has put him on precription strength prevacid for kids (dissolvable). Believe it or not after 4 weeks on this medication, he has thrown up only 3 times. I am not saying that this is a fix all but he is more aware that the medicine is helping his stomach. We also now pack our lunch (he helps) so that he will have another option other than cafeteria food. He still has a strong gag reflex and may never grow out of it completely-Doc says he has grown ups that gag just at the sight of a tongue depressor. However I do not think that my child had a mental issue and needed therapy. Your son needs some self confidence (as did mine)- Try to find little ways to help him control it as much as possible. The lunch was a big empowerment for my kid. Keep a log of the times he throws up and what he is eating as well. If he can see the number of times he throws up, and try to decrease it give him a reward (sticker or such) so that he has a tangible result. My son is a fast eater as well. My pedi said that if food is not chewed as well, the stomach acid must work harder to break it down. Reigning in my son's eating habits has been the hardest, but I try to watch carefully at each meal to be a nag and tell him "small bites". Hope some of these things work for you. The best thing is to be there as much as you can for your son so that he knows he is loved. Vomiting so much at school can be hard on them- kids can be cruel. with the added stress of your husband being gone he can be having a hard time right now. Good Luck.

Hey there, You are absolutley not alone in what you are dealing with I have a 3 1/2 year old little boy who vomits when he is not hungry and sees food if he sees dirty dishes or smells somthing gross or even when he sees food on the t.v. He will not come near any of his friends if they are not spotless and vomits justt from looking at them. But like your son he has no problem eating right after he vomits Like your sons dr. my son dr. also said he is just sensitive to sights and smells and has an overactive gag reflex. Unfortunatley though u want a solution to your child excessive vomiting. I just think about the side effects of bulemia and wonder if simmilar things are happening with my sons esophogus. It also can have a damaging effect on his teeth !!!