Uncontrollable Gag Reflex? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

LauraDaydreams · 02-17-2007, 07:25 PM

I've been suffering from nausea/acid reflux/IBS since I was a teenager. I've been on every "purple pill" in the book, but NOTHING has helped. This is DEFINITELY an odd question, but....is anyone PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO BURP?

I cannot burp, even if I TRY to release the "pressure" that I feel. I can pretty much count on two hands how many times I've burped in my entire recollection. I get this "bubble" at the bottom of my ribs, it seems right where my stomach goes to my esophagus. And it just STAYS THERE. If I lean forward, sometimes it comes up (not as a burp, but just as a NOISE). Sometimes I have to drink water, and it comes up easier and I get relief. Burps do not come up naturally for me....and people tell me HOW to make myself burp, but it just DOESN'T.

But if the gas/reflux DOESN'T come up, I go into VIOLENT dry heaves. This especially happens in the morning...or brushing my teeth...after waiting TOO LONG to eat...and after eating too much. But lately...if I smell something that bothers me...I automatically gag. I feel like I'm "training" myself to gag.

Does anyone know if this trait could be HEREDITARY? My father (who back in the day was a frat guy at college and drank MANY a beer in his life) says he CANNOT burp either. He suffers from very bad acid reflux and is on many meds to control it. Sometimes ginger helps me - ginger chews, ginger capsules, flat ginger ale - they actually help me BETTER than any prescription med.

I don't eat any of my "trigger" foods and I don't drink soda or coffee. Gah. I've had two endoscopies, two barium swallows, stomach emptying tests. It doesn't look like my esophagus is damaged. I was on prendisone for a few months because of gastritis, but that was YEARS ago.

I was just wondering if this "gag reflex" can be controlled somehow. It's wreaking havoc on my every day life and work schedule. I read into acupuncture? Does anyone else have this "inability" to burp? Is this part of having acid reflux - something that, after all time, could've evolved into gagging? I've had the dry heaves/gags randomly for about a year, but they have become daily in the past two months.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Given2Fly · 02-18-2007, 06:35 PM

I have pretty much the exact same symptoms. I cannot burp either, instead I get these weird hiccup things. I usually take a combination of 150mg Zantac with maximum strentgh Gas-X, and that helps just a little bit.

But Sometimes the gagging feeling is just too strong, but for me, it helps if I sit upright with my knees up by my chest, and rest my head on my knees. That position seems to take some of the pressure out of my throat, and usually within an hour or so I'll start to feel better. I will also take small sips of water and that usually helps a little bit.

I posted a similar topic a few weeks ago, and a member named Harry listed some different supplements to try for help, but I wasn't able to get back on the forums to get the info again, so maybe he'll post them up again for us

Hope I helped you out a little bit.

melissa24 · 03-11-2007, 05:08 AM

I get the exact same thing !!!
I physically cannot burp and pressure builds up and I get really bad retching and lately the pressure's been sooo bad air like actual burping has started to come up but I can't control it cause I've never burped !
It's such a horrible thing - It interferes with my life and I wish it would stop .
Sometimes I get really worried that something really serious is wrong with me and I'm scared of the damage it's doing to my body .
I know I should quit everything bad for me but I love to have a drink , I'm addicted to cola (fizzy drinks ) and I've basically quit smoking but I still enjoy a few a night - I know I should quit all these things but I don't want to !
Anyway hope someone can help us find a way to help this stop ,
Reflux tabs don't even work for me .
Just relieved to find someone else to talk about it with, what a worry .

chilledjazz · 03-17-2007, 09:51 AM

Me too. I get this weird gurgling sound instead of a burp. It is like air is trying to get out, but it physically can't. I have had this problem forever. The doctors just thought it was acid reflux, but it really isn't. The doctors I have talked to just said drink pop..this DOESN'T help. No matter the situation, I cannot burp! It really is a problem, and it hinders me everyday. I try to move to cover the sound when it happens, but it really doesn't help. Holding my breath keeps it in momentarally, however, this is probably not helping the situation. The problem got worse when I was in sychronized swimming. I think me holding my breath for so long has just continuously trapped air in my stomach, or where ever. It happens after I eat too. I don't know how to stop it because it is uncontrollable. Tums or anything like that doesn't help.

treblebob · 03-17-2007, 01:51 PM

how do i post a new thread?