Hamilton92
02-26-2007, 12:49 PM
I have an extreme fear of choking when I eat that I have almost completely given up eating solid foods.
I have been suffering for almost 3 years now. It started one night when I was eating a salad and felt like everything I had just eaten got stuck in my throat and that I was going to choke to death. I couldn't get the food up or down and I couldn't seem to get liquids to go down very easily so I was convinced something was stuck.
I was too scared to go to the hospital but scared I was going to die.
Since that night, this fear has ruined my life.
I basically live on mushy or soft foods like creamed soup, baked potatoes, cream of wheat, puddings, Ensure, Boost etc..
I don't remember the last time I ate a hamburger or a pizza.
I want to be able to eat again normally and live like a normal person.
Everytime I eat if feels like the food gets stuck and I'm going to choke to death and die.
I have this obsession that I'm going to die now if I try to eat solid foods.
Can someone actually live off of soft foods for their whole life and never eat solid foods again?
I don't have insurance so I can't get the help I need.
I went to a gastroenterologist when I still had medical insurance and all he wanted to do is throw antacids at me which didn't help so I don't take them.
He refused to listen to me and now that I've lost my job to these problems I can't go get a second opinion. I'd love to see a naturopathic doctor but I thin they are pretty expensive and insurance doesn't cover visits for them anyways.
I have lost so much weight. I am now 33 years old, 5'10" and about 128 pounds. I have to gain weight, I want to gain about 10 pounds at least, between 10 and 20 to get back above being underweight. Right now according to a BMI calculator I am about 5 pounds underweight. To get at least to a normal BMI I'll have to gain back 5 pounds or more. I don't want to die. I am so very very scared, its controlling my life, I look at my husband and kids and I just want to be able to grow old with my husband and see my kids grow up and I'm afraid that won't happen. I'm scared that no one will be able to help me and I'm going to die.
What can I do? Does anyone understand me?
Please post I really really need to hear from someone who understands.
I have been suffering for almost 3 years now. It started one night when I was eating a salad and felt like everything I had just eaten got stuck in my throat and that I was going to choke to death. I couldn't get the food up or down and I couldn't seem to get liquids to go down very easily so I was convinced something was stuck.
I was too scared to go to the hospital but scared I was going to die.
Since that night, this fear has ruined my life.
I basically live on mushy or soft foods like creamed soup, baked potatoes, cream of wheat, puddings, Ensure, Boost etc..
I don't remember the last time I ate a hamburger or a pizza.
I want to be able to eat again normally and live like a normal person.
Everytime I eat if feels like the food gets stuck and I'm going to choke to death and die.
I have this obsession that I'm going to die now if I try to eat solid foods.
Can someone actually live off of soft foods for their whole life and never eat solid foods again?
I don't have insurance so I can't get the help I need.
I went to a gastroenterologist when I still had medical insurance and all he wanted to do is throw antacids at me which didn't help so I don't take them.
He refused to listen to me and now that I've lost my job to these problems I can't go get a second opinion. I'd love to see a naturopathic doctor but I thin they are pretty expensive and insurance doesn't cover visits for them anyways.
I have lost so much weight. I am now 33 years old, 5'10" and about 128 pounds. I have to gain weight, I want to gain about 10 pounds at least, between 10 and 20 to get back above being underweight. Right now according to a BMI calculator I am about 5 pounds underweight. To get at least to a normal BMI I'll have to gain back 5 pounds or more. I don't want to die. I am so very very scared, its controlling my life, I look at my husband and kids and I just want to be able to grow old with my husband and see my kids grow up and I'm afraid that won't happen. I'm scared that no one will be able to help me and I'm going to die.
What can I do? Does anyone understand me?
Please post I really really need to hear from someone who understands.
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Sannah
02-26-2007, 01:53 PM
Hamilton, what else is going on with you that is making you fearful?
Hamilton92
03-05-2007, 01:02 PM
Ever since this started I have HUGE anxiety problems. I was told that I could live without ever eating solid foods again as long as I get the proper nutrition I need like my proteins, fiber and all the vitamins and minerals but I don't want to live this way.Everytime I eat I immediately think of choking. I
Sannah
03-05-2007, 02:02 PM
Hamilton, I think that you had anxiety problems before, or something happened right before you started with this swallowing problem which is causing you to have a lot of anxiety.
lilyprincess
03-14-2007, 08:17 PM
Hi, I totally understand what you are going through... about 7 years ago I was driving and eating those red gummi swedish fish things, and one got stuck in my throat. I was on the freeway and going really fast, and I totally freaked out...I couldn't breath for like 30 seconds. Well, it seemed that way anyway. After that, I couldn't eat solid foods... especially gummi things... for months. I eventually talked myself out of it and am okay now, but I remember how scary it was. It wasn't just that, though...I have also battled anorexia since I was 12 (I am 33 now), I have had severe anxiety and panic disorder, and an intense fear of dying.. so much that sometimes I woudln't go to sleep because I was afraid that I would die during the night and my kids would find me and not know what to do. (They were younger back then) I don't know how, but eventually I was able to overcome a lot of my fears. I think they all tie in together-- if you have had trouble with anorexia, then maybe your subconscious mind is using the choking as an excuse for you to not eat well. Even if you have overcome your anorexia, maybe you have some unresolved issues that are manifesting as the fear of choking so that you won't have to deal with the real problem. I don't know... I just wanted you to know that I totally understand what you're going through, and there are a lot of other factors that play into it as well.
tigerlilyx61
03-15-2007, 06:50 PM
Hi hamilton. This sounds like something that happened to my youngest daughter when she was 4. She had seen something on TV about someone choking and thought she could choke too. She started to chew her food so thoroughly that it took her an hour and a half to eat a toasted cheese sandwhich and she lost 7 pounds which, at 4, is huge. Anyway, I made an appointment with her pcp who referred her to a child psychologist. We went to the first appointment and never went back. That lady should have been the one seeing a psychologist. LOL. I just ended up talking to my daughter about what she saw on TV and how sometimes your mind can make you think things are going to happen when realistically they PROBABLY won't. I talked about how many people there are in the world and how out of ALL those people hardly anyone ever dies because they choked. And we talked about what she should do if she did choke. Of course I kept this on her level. I really feel it was, in her case, a form of OCD. Might that be your case too?
Isobella
03-16-2007, 11:09 AM
Hamilton, before coming to the conclusion that this problem is all in your mind you really need to make sure it isn't a physical problem that could be sorted out. I don't really understand the American health insurance schemes, so don't know how much you can get done without having to pay, but I'll tell you my own experience (I'm in the UK).
I've had a swallowing problem for many years; at first it was only the occasional thing that got stuck and usually when I was eating in a hurry and perhaps not chewing my food properly. But over the years the problem got worse and I found myself getting a piece of food stuck and being unable to get it moved, also unable to swallow liquids when this happened, including at times my own saliva. Most times the food dislodged itself after a period of time, but on four occasions I was so scared that I went to E&R because I really thought I might choke to death. On these occasions I had severe pain in my upper back and chest which I now know was caused by my esophagus going into spasms, though no one told me that at the time. I had doctors look down my throat in E&R but of course they could see nothing as the problem was actually farther down. Mostly they just made me sit and wait to see if the food would move eventually and on every occasion it did, sometimes after being stuck for 8 hours. On one memorable occasion I was actually being prepared for theatre so they could look down properly when the piece of food suddenly moved - was I thankful for that!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was sent for barium swallows, where you drink a nasty thickish liquid while an xray is taken and they watch how the liquid goes down. I had several of these done and they couldn't see any problem. But finally one doctor had the sense to send me for an endoscopy, where they put a little camera down (under sedation) and have a good look around. They discovered I had a stricture (narrowing) of the esophagus, caused by acid reflux which had scarred a portion of my esophagus, and when this was at its worst food was getting stuck. They stretched me (dilated is the medical term) and I now have to take Nexium to prevent the acid doing more damage. My swallowing is much better than before, though I'm still nervous about swallowing and tend to chew my food very carefully - probably not a bad thing, as digestion starts in the mouth. I don't like having to take Nexium and am hoping that eventually I could manage with something like ranitidine, but will discuss that with the consultant who I still see at regular intervals.
Apologies to everyone for this long post on the mental health board, when I suppose it should properly be elsewhere, but I really think any swallowing problem should be properly evaluated before deciding it's not a physical problem. Swallowing difficulties CAN be due to anxiety and tension, but it's hard to know which comes first sometimes, the difficulty or the anxiety. Getting an endoscopy is vital - either they find something that can be treated or they find nothing, in which case the relief of knowing there's no blockage might be enough to allow you to start eating again. There are of course some more complicated causes that need further evaluation, but hopefully yours won't fall into that category. Good luck!
I've had a swallowing problem for many years; at first it was only the occasional thing that got stuck and usually when I was eating in a hurry and perhaps not chewing my food properly. But over the years the problem got worse and I found myself getting a piece of food stuck and being unable to get it moved, also unable to swallow liquids when this happened, including at times my own saliva. Most times the food dislodged itself after a period of time, but on four occasions I was so scared that I went to E&R because I really thought I might choke to death. On these occasions I had severe pain in my upper back and chest which I now know was caused by my esophagus going into spasms, though no one told me that at the time. I had doctors look down my throat in E&R but of course they could see nothing as the problem was actually farther down. Mostly they just made me sit and wait to see if the food would move eventually and on every occasion it did, sometimes after being stuck for 8 hours. On one memorable occasion I was actually being prepared for theatre so they could look down properly when the piece of food suddenly moved - was I thankful for that!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was sent for barium swallows, where you drink a nasty thickish liquid while an xray is taken and they watch how the liquid goes down. I had several of these done and they couldn't see any problem. But finally one doctor had the sense to send me for an endoscopy, where they put a little camera down (under sedation) and have a good look around. They discovered I had a stricture (narrowing) of the esophagus, caused by acid reflux which had scarred a portion of my esophagus, and when this was at its worst food was getting stuck. They stretched me (dilated is the medical term) and I now have to take Nexium to prevent the acid doing more damage. My swallowing is much better than before, though I'm still nervous about swallowing and tend to chew my food very carefully - probably not a bad thing, as digestion starts in the mouth. I don't like having to take Nexium and am hoping that eventually I could manage with something like ranitidine, but will discuss that with the consultant who I still see at regular intervals.
Apologies to everyone for this long post on the mental health board, when I suppose it should properly be elsewhere, but I really think any swallowing problem should be properly evaluated before deciding it's not a physical problem. Swallowing difficulties CAN be due to anxiety and tension, but it's hard to know which comes first sometimes, the difficulty or the anxiety. Getting an endoscopy is vital - either they find something that can be treated or they find nothing, in which case the relief of knowing there's no blockage might be enough to allow you to start eating again. There are of course some more complicated causes that need further evaluation, but hopefully yours won't fall into that category. Good luck!
soulerflare
04-01-2007, 01:30 PM
I know precisely what you are going through. I have lived with this situation since an incident when I was 15 (I'm now 42). My family and I were on vacation. It was a very hot day at an amusement park and during lunch I thought a piece of hamburger got stuck in my throat. Little did I know that the incident was to shape the rest of my life.
I don't know to this moment whether there was actually anything stuck in my throat that day. I spent the last three days of our vacation (a 1500 mile drive) certain that I was going to die at every meal. When we returned home, I was fine for a few weeks. I thought it had passed. Then another incident occurred (I thought a piece of taco shell or taco meat) was stuck in my throat. Meat became the focus of my condition. Although, at various times, many foods have been taboo and then become acceptable again.
I lived much of my teens and early 20s on a diet of cream of wheat and instant mashed potatoes. I had one 9 month period (my first year away at college) when I was temporarily able to overcome the problem. This was followed by one of the most intense and frightening three months.
Finally, when I was 25 I wound up in the hospital weighing 98 pounds (I'm 5'9") and unable to even swallow liquid. My electrolytes had crashed and the doctor told me I shouldn't be alive.
After 3 months of intense physical and mental care, I re-entered the world...not cured, but better able to cope.
I've tried counseling and various types of therapies. For me a low, regular dose of Prozac helps keep the edge off. I've identified several foods that I can eat and eat them nearly every day. I take vitamins (crushing them in a pill crusher) to make sure I get nutrients.
After many years of social isolation, career problems, and a family that didn't always understand, my life is wonderful! I have a full time job with a Fortune 40 company, a wife who understands that I take longer to eat and deals with it, and friends who try to understand. I have occasional panic attacks, but if I stick to my routine...they are bearable. I no longer avoid restaurants, vacations, or other things I want to do. I find a way to cope or ask for special food help. Many restaurants will make special things for you if you ask.
My advice (based on much experience).
1. Make sure you don't have an actual physical problem with your swallowing mechanism.
2. Share the issue with others you trust. Many will not understand, but at a human level most people have some unusual problem they don't like to share. Being open about it rather than making it this deep, dark secret is a huge relief. I will often share it with people I know I'm going to have to be with in social/eating situations.
3. Don't avoid restaurants. It makes others uncomfortable. I will go with my wife or friends to a restaurant...though its scary sometimes. I will order the best thing I can find on the menu and do the best I can with it. Often, I will eat meal when we get home to supplement. I've learned to just say no to things that don't work for me.
4. I've learned to accept that everything in our culture is about eating...holidays, celebrations, etc. I participate as much as I can and I get through.
5. Have someone who can help you through a panic attack. My wife is great. I thought no one could ever love me this way...that is untrue.
6. Live life (even if it has to be around this problem). It IS NOT hopeless. You just have to have other expectations about food OR get help to address the issue. I've made peace with it. Food is just something I have to do to be here. I try not to let it or my phobia run my life.
As far as practical tips:
1. Focus on the fact that the panic is going to pass. In 27 years it always has. Think about what you will be doing in an hour and how silly this will all seem then.
2. Use the fact that you have made it through past situations to help you through the current crisis.
3. Much as I hate being on an anti-psychotic, it has helped me.
4. Seek support of family and friends.
Hope this helps. Many more stories I could share, but the board probably has length limits.
I don't know to this moment whether there was actually anything stuck in my throat that day. I spent the last three days of our vacation (a 1500 mile drive) certain that I was going to die at every meal. When we returned home, I was fine for a few weeks. I thought it had passed. Then another incident occurred (I thought a piece of taco shell or taco meat) was stuck in my throat. Meat became the focus of my condition. Although, at various times, many foods have been taboo and then become acceptable again.
I lived much of my teens and early 20s on a diet of cream of wheat and instant mashed potatoes. I had one 9 month period (my first year away at college) when I was temporarily able to overcome the problem. This was followed by one of the most intense and frightening three months.
Finally, when I was 25 I wound up in the hospital weighing 98 pounds (I'm 5'9") and unable to even swallow liquid. My electrolytes had crashed and the doctor told me I shouldn't be alive.
After 3 months of intense physical and mental care, I re-entered the world...not cured, but better able to cope.
I've tried counseling and various types of therapies. For me a low, regular dose of Prozac helps keep the edge off. I've identified several foods that I can eat and eat them nearly every day. I take vitamins (crushing them in a pill crusher) to make sure I get nutrients.
After many years of social isolation, career problems, and a family that didn't always understand, my life is wonderful! I have a full time job with a Fortune 40 company, a wife who understands that I take longer to eat and deals with it, and friends who try to understand. I have occasional panic attacks, but if I stick to my routine...they are bearable. I no longer avoid restaurants, vacations, or other things I want to do. I find a way to cope or ask for special food help. Many restaurants will make special things for you if you ask.
My advice (based on much experience).
1. Make sure you don't have an actual physical problem with your swallowing mechanism.
2. Share the issue with others you trust. Many will not understand, but at a human level most people have some unusual problem they don't like to share. Being open about it rather than making it this deep, dark secret is a huge relief. I will often share it with people I know I'm going to have to be with in social/eating situations.
3. Don't avoid restaurants. It makes others uncomfortable. I will go with my wife or friends to a restaurant...though its scary sometimes. I will order the best thing I can find on the menu and do the best I can with it. Often, I will eat meal when we get home to supplement. I've learned to just say no to things that don't work for me.
4. I've learned to accept that everything in our culture is about eating...holidays, celebrations, etc. I participate as much as I can and I get through.
5. Have someone who can help you through a panic attack. My wife is great. I thought no one could ever love me this way...that is untrue.
6. Live life (even if it has to be around this problem). It IS NOT hopeless. You just have to have other expectations about food OR get help to address the issue. I've made peace with it. Food is just something I have to do to be here. I try not to let it or my phobia run my life.
As far as practical tips:
1. Focus on the fact that the panic is going to pass. In 27 years it always has. Think about what you will be doing in an hour and how silly this will all seem then.
2. Use the fact that you have made it through past situations to help you through the current crisis.
3. Much as I hate being on an anti-psychotic, it has helped me.
4. Seek support of family and friends.
Hope this helps. Many more stories I could share, but the board probably has length limits.
soulerflare
04-01-2007, 01:30 PM
I know precisely what you are going through. I have lived with this situation since an incident when I was 15 (I'm now 42). My family and I were on vacation. It was a very hot day at an amusement park and during lunch I thought a piece of hamburger got stuck in my throat. Little did I know that the incident was to shape the rest of my life.
I don't know to this moment whether there was actually anything stuck in my throat that day. I spent the last three days of our vacation (a 1500 mile drive) certain that I was going to die at every meal. When we returned home, I was fine for a few weeks. I thought it had passed. Then another incident occurred (I thought a piece of taco shell or taco meat) was stuck in my throat. Meat became the focus of my condition. Although, at various times, many foods have been taboo and then become acceptable again.
I lived much of my teens and early 20s on a diet of cream of wheat and instant mashed potatoes. I had one 9 month period (my first year away at college) when I was temporarily able to overcome the problem. This was followed by one of the most intense and frightening three months.
Finally, when I was 25 I wound up in the hospital weighing 98 pounds (I'm 5'9") and unable to even swallow liquid. My electrolytes had crashed and the doctor told me I shouldn't be alive.
After 3 months of intense physical and mental care, I re-entered the world...not cured, but better able to cope.
I've tried counseling and various types of therapies. For me a low, regular dose of Prozac helps keep the edge off. I've identified several foods that I can eat and eat them nearly every day. I take vitamins (crushing them in a pill crusher) to make sure I get nutrients.
After many years of social isolation, career problems, and a family that didn't always understand, my life is wonderful! I have a full time job with a Fortune 40 company, a wife who understands that I take longer to eat and deals with it, and friends who try to understand. I have occasional panic attacks, but if I stick to my routine...they are bearable. I no longer avoid restaurants, vacations, or other things I want to do. I find a way to cope or ask for special food help. Many restaurants will make special things for you if you ask.
My advice (based on much experience).
1. Make sure you don't have an actual physical problem with your swallowing mechanism.
2. Share the issue with others you trust. Many will not understand, but at a human level most people have some unusual problem they don't like to share. Being open about it rather than making it this deep, dark secret is a huge relief. I will often share it with people I know I'm going to have to be with in social/eating situations.
3. Don't avoid restaurants. It makes others uncomfortable. I will go with my wife or friends to a restaurant...though its scary sometimes. I will order the best thing I can find on the menu and do the best I can with it. Often, I will eat meal when we get home to supplement. I've learned to just say no to things that don't work for me.
4. I've learned to accept that everything in our culture is about eating...holidays, celebrations, etc. I participate as much as I can and I get through.
5. Have someone who can help you through a panic attack. My wife is great. I thought no one could ever love me this way...that is untrue.
6. Live life (even if it has to be around this problem). It IS NOT hopeless. You just have to have other expectations about food OR get help to address the issue. I've made peace with it. Food is just something I have to do to be here. I try not to let it or my phobia run my life.
As far as practical tips:
1. Focus on the fact that the panic is going to pass. In 27 years it always has. Think about what you will be doing in an hour and how silly this will all seem then.
2. Use the fact that you have made it through past situations to help you through the current crisis.
3. Much as I hate being on an anti-psychotic, it has helped me.
4. Seek support of family and friends.
Hope this helps. Many more stories I could share, but the board probably has length limits.
I don't know to this moment whether there was actually anything stuck in my throat that day. I spent the last three days of our vacation (a 1500 mile drive) certain that I was going to die at every meal. When we returned home, I was fine for a few weeks. I thought it had passed. Then another incident occurred (I thought a piece of taco shell or taco meat) was stuck in my throat. Meat became the focus of my condition. Although, at various times, many foods have been taboo and then become acceptable again.
I lived much of my teens and early 20s on a diet of cream of wheat and instant mashed potatoes. I had one 9 month period (my first year away at college) when I was temporarily able to overcome the problem. This was followed by one of the most intense and frightening three months.
Finally, when I was 25 I wound up in the hospital weighing 98 pounds (I'm 5'9") and unable to even swallow liquid. My electrolytes had crashed and the doctor told me I shouldn't be alive.
After 3 months of intense physical and mental care, I re-entered the world...not cured, but better able to cope.
I've tried counseling and various types of therapies. For me a low, regular dose of Prozac helps keep the edge off. I've identified several foods that I can eat and eat them nearly every day. I take vitamins (crushing them in a pill crusher) to make sure I get nutrients.
After many years of social isolation, career problems, and a family that didn't always understand, my life is wonderful! I have a full time job with a Fortune 40 company, a wife who understands that I take longer to eat and deals with it, and friends who try to understand. I have occasional panic attacks, but if I stick to my routine...they are bearable. I no longer avoid restaurants, vacations, or other things I want to do. I find a way to cope or ask for special food help. Many restaurants will make special things for you if you ask.
My advice (based on much experience).
1. Make sure you don't have an actual physical problem with your swallowing mechanism.
2. Share the issue with others you trust. Many will not understand, but at a human level most people have some unusual problem they don't like to share. Being open about it rather than making it this deep, dark secret is a huge relief. I will often share it with people I know I'm going to have to be with in social/eating situations.
3. Don't avoid restaurants. It makes others uncomfortable. I will go with my wife or friends to a restaurant...though its scary sometimes. I will order the best thing I can find on the menu and do the best I can with it. Often, I will eat meal when we get home to supplement. I've learned to just say no to things that don't work for me.
4. I've learned to accept that everything in our culture is about eating...holidays, celebrations, etc. I participate as much as I can and I get through.
5. Have someone who can help you through a panic attack. My wife is great. I thought no one could ever love me this way...that is untrue.
6. Live life (even if it has to be around this problem). It IS NOT hopeless. You just have to have other expectations about food OR get help to address the issue. I've made peace with it. Food is just something I have to do to be here. I try not to let it or my phobia run my life.
As far as practical tips:
1. Focus on the fact that the panic is going to pass. In 27 years it always has. Think about what you will be doing in an hour and how silly this will all seem then.
2. Use the fact that you have made it through past situations to help you through the current crisis.
3. Much as I hate being on an anti-psychotic, it has helped me.
4. Seek support of family and friends.
Hope this helps. Many more stories I could share, but the board probably has length limits.
opple
04-01-2007, 08:57 PM
You need to relax and chew your food well. And don't eat while driving or doing other absorbing things that take a lot of concentration. If you think about this fear of choking and fixate on it, it'll stick with you.
Eat when you are hungry but don't wolf food down. Stay away from foods that are tough like steak and sometimes bacon, jerky, dried fruits and so on--til this thing passes. I don't think food should be tough anyway. Vigorous chewing is good for the gums and facial muscles but some steak is just ridiculous. You might as well eat pleasant tasting wallet or shoe.
Eat when you are hungry but don't wolf food down. Stay away from foods that are tough like steak and sometimes bacon, jerky, dried fruits and so on--til this thing passes. I don't think food should be tough anyway. Vigorous chewing is good for the gums and facial muscles but some steak is just ridiculous. You might as well eat pleasant tasting wallet or shoe.
Dantheinsane
04-02-2007, 08:42 PM
I didn't see this posted but I could be wrong.
Anginophobia Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Pnigophobia or Pnigerophobia Fear of choking of being smothered.
Anginophobia Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Pnigophobia or Pnigerophobia Fear of choking of being smothered.
SK8ER BOY
04-12-2007, 12:24 PM
hi i know this was posted in aug of 06 but if you ever come back to see this post i want to tell you how i deal with my choking fear ok to start out you have to know what made this happen and for you its not seeing your kids grow up for me it was when i was 3 years old im 17 now i was eating at the table eatting my last fish stick and i was a hyper kid so i ate the last one really fast and the whole fish stick went in my throat like a plug i was fighting for my life for over 2 mins i was starting to pass out and my lips where dark blue my aunt was reading the chart for cpr and with in 2 in a half mins it got up my throat and my mom grab it i was 30 or 40 sec away from dieing thats where my fear come from and since then i have struggled with eating food with out fear of choking but i have some tips for you that i do when i eat i take small bites and chew it for a real long time till you feel its all mush you have to start out small and work your way up start with small pieces of pancake and work your way up thats how i got back to eating whole foods i hope my few tips helped and what might make you feel safer is if you dont have one pick up a cpr chart just to feel safer if it wasent for mine i would have never made it i still have the same one just cause it makes me feel safe g2g later
cleo13
04-18-2007, 08:28 AM
I have an extreme fear of choking when I eat that I have almost completely given up eating solid foods.
I have been suffering for almost 3 years now. It started one night when I was eating a salad and felt like everything I had just eaten got stuck in my throat and that I was going to choke to death. I couldn't get the food up or down and I couldn't seem to get liquids to go down very easily so I was convinced something was stuck.
I was too scared to go to the hospital but scared I was going to die.
Since that night, this fear has ruined my life.
I basically live on mushy or soft foods like creamed soup, baked potatoes, cream of wheat, puddings, Ensure, Boost etc..
I don't remember the last time I ate a hamburger or a pizza.
I want to be able to eat again normally and live like a normal person.
Everytime I eat if feels like the food gets stuck and I'm going to choke to death and die.
I have this obsession that I'm going to die now if I try to eat solid foods.
Can someone actually live off of soft foods for their whole life and never eat solid foods again?
I don't have insurance so I can't get the help I need.
I went to a gastroenterologist when I still had medical insurance and all he wanted to do is throw antacids at me which didn't help so I don't take them.
He refused to listen to me and now that I've lost my job to these problems I can't go get a second opinion. I'd love to see a naturopathic doctor but I thin they are pretty expensive and insurance doesn't cover visits for them anyways.
I have lost so much weight. I am now 33 years old, 5'10" and about 128 pounds. I have to gain weight, I want to gain about 10 pounds at least, between 10 and 20 to get back above being underweight. Right now according to a BMI calculator I am about 5 pounds underweight. To get at least to a normal BMI I'll have to gain back 5 pounds or more. I don't want to die. I am so very very scared, its controlling my life, I look at my husband and kids and I just want to be able to grow old with my husband and see my kids grow up and I'm afraid that won't happen. I'm scared that no one will be able to help me and I'm going to die.
What can I do? Does anyone understand me?
Please post I really really need to hear from someone who understands.
I have been suffering for almost 3 years now. It started one night when I was eating a salad and felt like everything I had just eaten got stuck in my throat and that I was going to choke to death. I couldn't get the food up or down and I couldn't seem to get liquids to go down very easily so I was convinced something was stuck.
I was too scared to go to the hospital but scared I was going to die.
Since that night, this fear has ruined my life.
I basically live on mushy or soft foods like creamed soup, baked potatoes, cream of wheat, puddings, Ensure, Boost etc..
I don't remember the last time I ate a hamburger or a pizza.
I want to be able to eat again normally and live like a normal person.
Everytime I eat if feels like the food gets stuck and I'm going to choke to death and die.
I have this obsession that I'm going to die now if I try to eat solid foods.
Can someone actually live off of soft foods for their whole life and never eat solid foods again?
I don't have insurance so I can't get the help I need.
I went to a gastroenterologist when I still had medical insurance and all he wanted to do is throw antacids at me which didn't help so I don't take them.
He refused to listen to me and now that I've lost my job to these problems I can't go get a second opinion. I'd love to see a naturopathic doctor but I thin they are pretty expensive and insurance doesn't cover visits for them anyways.
I have lost so much weight. I am now 33 years old, 5'10" and about 128 pounds. I have to gain weight, I want to gain about 10 pounds at least, between 10 and 20 to get back above being underweight. Right now according to a BMI calculator I am about 5 pounds underweight. To get at least to a normal BMI I'll have to gain back 5 pounds or more. I don't want to die. I am so very very scared, its controlling my life, I look at my husband and kids and I just want to be able to grow old with my husband and see my kids grow up and I'm afraid that won't happen. I'm scared that no one will be able to help me and I'm going to die.
What can I do? Does anyone understand me?
Please post I really really need to hear from someone who understands.
cleo13
04-18-2007, 08:40 AM
I too are suffering from this. I saw a guy having a heartattack a while ago, but he looked like he was choking as he was eating a sandwich, he went blue and his eyes rolled back, he died an hour later but i didnt know it was a heartattack till later on. This was scary to say the least, but forgot about it. then recently i keep having sort of panic moments when im eating in front of people like i cant swallow. It has happened once on my own, but ive also become scared of vomiting up solid food incase i choke, i dont mind liquids when im sick but foods like chips get lodged or thats what scares me. Im writing a shopping list at the mo and its all soup and beans nice and small, and i only eat bread thats soaking in sauce. Now i worry that liquid type food will become solid in my stomach so if im sick it will come up that why. Does anyone understand me?
katie78
04-22-2007, 11:08 PM
I am familiar with what you are experiencing, because I went through that nightmare myself. I stopped eating solid foods for about a year and a half. It happened to me when I was a child about 10 years old, and I had an unnatural fear of choking. I lost a ton of weight, and pictures of me show me being grotesquely thin. I am now 29 years old, eat normally and am a very healthy weight. I realize now that the problem I had was an anxiety disorder, and not at all based on any physical problems. I occasionally have panic attacks but have never experienced the choking phobia again. I have to say until I read your post, I never knew of anyone that had experienced this.
I conquered this fear by talking about my anxieties to a physician. I never went on any kind of medication, but I gradually went back to eating normally again. I don't know if this helps, but sometimes your mind can be a powerful thing that can convince your body to react in strange ways. Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. If you can conquer the anxiety causing the problem through prayer and focused determination you WILL get past this.
I conquered this fear by talking about my anxieties to a physician. I never went on any kind of medication, but I gradually went back to eating normally again. I don't know if this helps, but sometimes your mind can be a powerful thing that can convince your body to react in strange ways. Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. If you can conquer the anxiety causing the problem through prayer and focused determination you WILL get past this.
julielondon
06-05-2007, 07:59 PM
look online for a book called 'self-help for your nerves' by Dr. claire Weekes' its the best book for helping people with any panic attacks of any kind.
it saved my life.
you can buy it online from Amazon.
it saved my life.
you can buy it online from Amazon.
Hamilton92
07-16-2007, 10:51 PM
Thank you all.
I am working on getting back to a doctor and I am going to try anti anxiety meds to see if they will help.
I know from talking with so many people now that anxiety, and stress like i've been going through can really mess up your digestive system and make you feel worse.
I will definitely check out that book too, thanks julie!
I am working on getting back to a doctor and I am going to try anti anxiety meds to see if they will help.
I know from talking with so many people now that anxiety, and stress like i've been going through can really mess up your digestive system and make you feel worse.
I will definitely check out that book too, thanks julie!
Hamilton92
09-04-2007, 11:03 PM
Soulerflare, Thank you, I feel like I can really relate to you.
This swallowing is getting ridiculous. I live in fear everyday that I'll never be able to eat normally again. Are you now able to eat normal foods like meat, bread etc?
I am in this mindset that I'll never be to that point again. I get thoughts in my head that I am going to die and never find an answer to this question.
I was just eating mashed potatoes last night, you know, soft, mushy, shouldn't be a problem to swallow, well i was wrong.
The 3rd bite I felt it stick in my throat and it took a glass of milk and two glasses of water to get it down.
Right in the top of my chest it hurt like crazy when you get food stuck in your chest and its painful to get it to go down. You know that feeling?
Well it was very scary and I didn't think for a minute after the second glass of liquid that it was going to go down but it finally did.
I am scared! I dont' want to die from this, I refuse to! I want to live a full normal life, I've just recent went back to college at the age of 33 and want to see my children grow up and I fear I won't be able to if I dont' get this under control.
I take chewable vitamins, drink those Boost, Ensure etc supplements to make sure I'm getting all of my vitamins but I want to eat a hamburger or a pizza with my family again!
The last gastroenterologist I went to told me it was all in my head and I didn't want to eat. To say the least that was the last time I ever saw him.
I need another endoscopy but I'm scared there is severe irreversible damage to my esophagus and stomach that I don't know about. But I started bawling like a baby in his office and begged him to find out what was wrong. I told him I want to eat, I want a burger, I want pizza and french fries and those things again.
What kind of physical and mental therapy did you have to go through. I am willing to do just about anything to eat normally again.
This swallowing is getting ridiculous. I live in fear everyday that I'll never be able to eat normally again. Are you now able to eat normal foods like meat, bread etc?
I am in this mindset that I'll never be to that point again. I get thoughts in my head that I am going to die and never find an answer to this question.
I was just eating mashed potatoes last night, you know, soft, mushy, shouldn't be a problem to swallow, well i was wrong.
The 3rd bite I felt it stick in my throat and it took a glass of milk and two glasses of water to get it down.
Right in the top of my chest it hurt like crazy when you get food stuck in your chest and its painful to get it to go down. You know that feeling?
Well it was very scary and I didn't think for a minute after the second glass of liquid that it was going to go down but it finally did.
I am scared! I dont' want to die from this, I refuse to! I want to live a full normal life, I've just recent went back to college at the age of 33 and want to see my children grow up and I fear I won't be able to if I dont' get this under control.
I take chewable vitamins, drink those Boost, Ensure etc supplements to make sure I'm getting all of my vitamins but I want to eat a hamburger or a pizza with my family again!
The last gastroenterologist I went to told me it was all in my head and I didn't want to eat. To say the least that was the last time I ever saw him.
I need another endoscopy but I'm scared there is severe irreversible damage to my esophagus and stomach that I don't know about. But I started bawling like a baby in his office and begged him to find out what was wrong. I told him I want to eat, I want a burger, I want pizza and french fries and those things again.
What kind of physical and mental therapy did you have to go through. I am willing to do just about anything to eat normally again.
shakirasmith
11-28-2007, 02:07 PM
OMG I NEVER NEW SOMEONE FELT THE SAME WAY WEN I WAS LITTLE ABOUT 11 I choked on somthing now ever since i dont like to eat once i passed out i eat mashpatatoes noodles extre extra sliced turkey(the kind on sandwiches) i dont no wat else to do i mean i never knew thre were more ppl like me and sometimes i feel so scared im only 13 yrs old cmon now i have a whole life inhead of me and i ask god why me but mybe its to get u to see life better look i really need someone to talk to about this maybe we can help each other out you can eats soft stuffing pancakes donuts in microwave ensures umm v8 look its mental its not real i no and sometimes i cry myslef to sleep about it but dont worry about food i dont even eat at school cuz if i do i have p-a-n-i-c a-t-t-a-c-k s like im choking wen really its just that memory in my head u have to get it out or ur killing urself here if u wana stay healthy baby food is something to try meat(SLiced sandwich meat)vegetable(mushed peas)i also eats tulupia fish no bones cooked real soft protean (bana smoothie for fruit there u go) `i cant even eat mcdonalds wen my mom and family go out i can barley eat) i cant explain the feeling wishing i can go back and change the whole thing i been to syqatriz or however you speell it nothing helps:angel:god will bless us one day guys just eat wats healthy and take vitamins liquid kind
shakirasmith
11-28-2007, 03:16 PM
Everyone with this disorder hear me out im a girl im 13 years old living in orlando florida.it started off i choked on a hot dog and now i have a fear of choking.at first i would denie anyone who said it was in my head because it reallly feels real and i still do dinie them until this day im questioning because knowing that all of us has this problem it could be mental or maybe its so mental that its real.Forexample you got use to eating mushy foods so now when you try to eat hard foods you dont want to chew because your used to it going right down.I got this when i was 11 yrs old me dealing with that 11 was horrible i am so young with a life ahead of me and im not the type of normal girl you might be thinking about im black pretty choclate skin popular girl at school all the thug boys like but dont judge a book by its cover this will go away for some people but with some your stuck with it but never give up pray and talk to people.Here is my way i think of it i think ima die sometimes been sayin i have to fight this i have a boyfriend who wants to have kids and 4 brothers and a sister i cant let them down.right this secound feels like somthing in my throat.this prevents me form being social i miss alot of daysfrom school because this incident making my parents look bad and im already irracially not the principles color so she already might think im skkipping or somthing but you know we got to fight this anyone who needs help contact me ok i will help or try just think like this if somthing is in your throat and you ar breathing and if you can talk your going to be alright its just in your throat and irratating you....trust me i no how it feels i promise you dont want noone telling you it isnt real i no drink plenty of water ok and if it doesnt go down keep driking to it does and if your felel like that whole side of your area is clogged like ur left nostral and your left throat it really is in there drink water itll go down the only time your gonnq choke if is somthing is in your right throat or if you swallow a bone but if thats not your case your not choking its just somthing in your throat irratating you god is gonna bless us i promise maybe he wants us to see the better things in life maybe we did somthing to diserve this or maybe he is doing this to stop ur dad from doing drugs and focus on you are get your mom from doing drugs and focus on you i relize life isnt a joke now god is giving us a sign so dont think of this as a bad thing think of this a good thing even though it will be hard to do he dont even give some people chances they just die so your lucky dont give up k if you have questions contact me url *******/divastar23***00 dont feel bad some people have it worse then you even though it doesnt feel like it some people have to struggle to breath or haveaids but you no what we are going to fight and i promise to you im going to find a cure mabe we have baby throats still and need an enlarger idk but im gonna find out luv u all
Pri Lily
11-29-2007, 12:56 AM
I suddenly started choking on foods, even liquids (ever have Sprite come out your nose.....it hurts) when I was sixteen.
That was many years ago.
My Doctor told me that it was due to anxiety. The anxiety was making my throat "narrower" than it should be.
I still choke on things from time to time. I don't worry about it, because it's happened so many times, that it's normal, for me.
When you're anxious to swallow something, and then try to swallow it, and it doesn't go down right....you then panic, thus REALLY stopping it from going down. You're playing the "double whammy" game.
Anxiety with panic....not a good combination.
I suggest....taking very small "bites" (like you would feed a very small child) chew it up, until theres nothing left of it....take a drink....then swallow.
Start with a favourite food that you have been denying yourself. Start very slow, and work your way up, as your comfort level grows.
Don't worry about how long you take....I am still the slowest eater that I know. If anyone says anything...I ask them when was the last time that they had to administer the Heimlich manoeuvre. If they go on, I will offer to teach them how to perform it. It usually stops there.
Good luck all....it's been working for me for years.....
Lil
That was many years ago.
My Doctor told me that it was due to anxiety. The anxiety was making my throat "narrower" than it should be.
I still choke on things from time to time. I don't worry about it, because it's happened so many times, that it's normal, for me.
When you're anxious to swallow something, and then try to swallow it, and it doesn't go down right....you then panic, thus REALLY stopping it from going down. You're playing the "double whammy" game.
Anxiety with panic....not a good combination.
I suggest....taking very small "bites" (like you would feed a very small child) chew it up, until theres nothing left of it....take a drink....then swallow.
Start with a favourite food that you have been denying yourself. Start very slow, and work your way up, as your comfort level grows.
Don't worry about how long you take....I am still the slowest eater that I know. If anyone says anything...I ask them when was the last time that they had to administer the Heimlich manoeuvre. If they go on, I will offer to teach them how to perform it. It usually stops there.
Good luck all....it's been working for me for years.....
Lil
chanel89
12-02-2007, 09:23 PM
Hey! I know what you're saying! I don't have the fear with food, but with pills. I used to be able to take them ok, but then one got stuck in my throat. It was pretty scary and made me feel so sick. Now, I can only take little tiny pills. I haven't found a way to deal with this yet. But for your situation, I would try to take small bites and chew and chew and chew. It will make it easier to swallow. Gradually start taking bigger bites and maybe chewing less. Get to the size of bite and amount of chewing that you're comfortable with. If it takes you longer to eat, so what. At least you'll be eating and eating things you want. I hope this helps and you will be able to eat the foods you've been missing out on! =)
Chanel
Chanel