I can't swallow :(

I think the water thing is due to Monday where I choked on water, not my throat itself, as that's what caused the panic attack.

Once I do initiate the swallow water goes down fine.

I'll try with a straw.

No, no, I think there's a little confusion, my fault sorry.

Water is not getting stuck in my throat, it's anxiety that's stopping me even initiating a swallow. I've only got to look at the bottle water and contemplate swallowing the water for me to get nervous about it. It's not the actual swallowing that's bothering me, it's the fear of choking on the water like I did on Monday. Once I do swallow the water it's fine, it's the sensation of having the water in my mouth itself that's making me anxious.

I've relaxed a great deal over my throat itself now, even the feeling of food sticking behind my adam's apple doesn't bother me much now I know it's nothing serious (I'm not saying GERD is not serious - but compared to the other things I had running around in my head it's certainly a lesser of the evils!) I even had bread with my soup today but the main remaining issue is drinking water from a bottle.

I'm 100% certain the water issue is pure anxiety.

I hope that makes sense?

Post Edited (Nexususus) : 11/22/2013 8:58:24 AM (GMT-7)

Thanks SC :)

I can sip it reasonably OK, so as long as I keep doing that.

I even know in my own head that even if something did go wrong a small mouthful of water isn't going to do much, apart from scare the bejebus out of me.

Thanks M, I'm getting there :) Still a bit dazed and confused at the moment.

I'm normally quite head strong and I'm just finding it frustrating I can't just pep talk myself out of this, but I do understand it's not as simple as that.

It won't beat me, not gonna let it...

Maybe try drinking water from a glass or through a straw?

It could be drinking from the bottle, and the angle you have to put your head and neck at, is causing a little extra gulp of air to sneak in.

Worth a try!  :)

M.

I'm 20 and have exactly what Nexususus has, I cant even swallow water and now its getting worse and I cant even swallow saliva and I have to keep spitting (I can now only swallow when I brush my teeth) I don't feel like i have a lump there or anything but my throat does seem tight, closed even, I haven't eaten in over 2 days and i just crumble whenever I attempt to. Its getting so bad, i am exhausted. I'm booking an appointment with my doctor on Monday. I saw a hypnotherapist yesterday but apparently that isn't really for me. I've lost a stone in 2 weeks and i am so lethargic, its effecting my work and my family. Its getting to the point where i just want to be fed through a drip or something. I know what you are going through and I hope it gets better soon!

Please don't ever be concerned again about posting here, we feel like thats what we are here for, each other
you will get your chance to help someone and we will be glad to have your help. Peace

Larry ***

Random thought here:

I have problems drinking water, if it's tap water.  I know "the majority" of people think water is water, and heck, maybe it's all in my head, but....

I buy Dasani bottled water, and it's purified and then there are specific minerals added to it.  I can drink that bottle after bottle.  No problem.  Plus, each bottle just tastes fresh.

But if I try to drink tap water, I gag.  Personally, I think that my palate picks up the taste/odour of chemicals in it, and my throat closes up.  If I do manage to choke it down, it upsets my stomach.

I sincerely do not have that gagging sensation or upset stomach if I drink Dasani.

I only drink water (no juice, no milk, etc.) so another staple of mine is Seltzer Water.  (Not the stuff with sugar or artificial sweeteners or colours in it).  This is just regular Seltzer that has a "flavour" or "essence" in it.  The bubbles in the water make it much easier for me to swallow than plain (ie: tap) water.

Then the occasional burp that results actually feels like it clears my throat and tummy.

I'm always traveling with my OWN water because yes, I am that particular.  Hey, I've tried it,...I gave it many shots, tap water from everywhere we've lived, wherever we've traveled,...and the results are the same.  I've even filled my empty Dasani bottle with tap water, stuck 'em in the fridge,....

...........nope.  It still made me gag, I ended up not drinking (and I'm a huge water drinker!)....it's worth getting whatever it takes to keep my hydrated.

M.

I am so glad that things are starting to improve for you!

You have a great attitude and that it no doubt helping. I am sure that you are going to continue to get better and better.:)

Are you still set to see your GP this week? How is the reflux treatment going?

S.C.

Scaredy Cat said...
I am so glad that things are starting to improve for you!

You have a great attitude and that it no doubt helping. I am sure that you are going to continue to get better and better.:)

Are you still set to see your GP this week? How is the reflux treatment going?

S.C.

Appointment is tomorrow morning, this is just for the anxiety tho.

Hard to say on the reflux treatment, I've not had heartburn since but still got the lump in my throat feeling, WIP on that one :)

Just got back from Docs and kinda confused, although happy as he answered all my questions.

I'm currently on Pantoprazole 20mg twice a day, as given to me at the hospital, but doc has prescribed me 40mg for once a day as he says that'll be better. Wouldn't twice a day be more effective instead of once in the morning?

He did answer my questions about choking though, so my mind is much more at ease about that. He basically confirmed that once you swallow, even if it gets stuck, there's no way you can choke as it's already below your windpipe already and there's no way it can come back up, which was my main fear. On that note he also said that nothing is actually not getting stuck anyway, it's just the feeling it is as my food pipe is so sore and inflamed due to the acid.

Bit more relaxed now, but I doubt the anxiety will go away just yet :)

On that note, I've got a further appointment for some anxiety counselling on Monday.

Mood: reasonably content...

Just updating you guys, my luck hasnt been the best recently, i got my blood test results back yesterday and they told me I am very dehydrated and would be best to be re-hydrated though a drip for a couple of hours which made me feel pretty amazing for a while, but that is not the answer, I need to do this for myself. I saw a new hypnotheripist today, he was very good (usually after 3 sessions people would be back to "normal") but I dont feel like I should get all my hopes up just incase. I'm getting to the point where I dont care if I choke or it comes back up, i'm way too exhausted. And I keep feeling like I need to burp, oh and another darn thing, I have a chesty cold/virus too so thats just great.

Heya, i've just been listening to the CD I got from my therapist, and this morning I drank a few sips of water which I havent done since last sunday! It just proves that I can do it and I will break through this! It will take time but i am feeling more positive after this happening. In the UK we dont have thanksgiving but Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on this thread!