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Swallowing/Eating Anxiety

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Posted 11/14/2015 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I'm new to this forum. I've been an anxiety sufferer for most of my life. I've always been able to keep it somewhat under control with and without medication. We all know some situations are worse than others. All of a sudden for about the past month and a half I have developed a fear of swallowing per say. I have a multitude of things going on in my life and my anxiety is at an all time high. I've been on Cymbalta for 16 days now and Xanax as needed. Has anyone ever had this be a symptom of anxiety and overcome it? I'm eating just enough to get by and it takes me like an hour to finish a half of a sandwich. I've had this here and there with the swallowing but now it is CONSTANT. This is with every meal. I actually dread eating at this point. I'm literally pureeing my food in my mouth. I'm so frustrated and sad by this. I just want to crawl in a hole. I've lost like 15 pounds and I just feel awful. Just looking for some advice or support. Thank you.
Posted 11/14/2015 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've been having this EXACT same problem, and just joined. You're not alone. I've lost 15 pounds as well, am eating nothing but smoothies and Ensure and milkshakes and pureed soups, it's driving me nuts- I'm not on any medication though, the cynic in me says even if I went on it there wouldn't be much difference... I fear and dread eating in public and am terrified of choking, I desperately want to eat food and avoid eating anything crunchy, eating with other people is a burden and they always ask me what's wrong- I feel like I have to come up with an excuse/lie...

I know this isn't very helpful I'm just saying you're not alone, apparently this is common. Just make sure you stay hydrated, go to the pharmacy and get Ensure, drink 2 a day, I've been drinking Bolthouse Farms smoothies- Green Goodness, Carrot and Orange, the Breakfast smoothies, try yogurt if you can... just make sure you're getting nutrition and staying hydrated in the meantime, until you sort this out- I'm actively working on it with my therapist and doctor, but while I'm still struggling I know the most important thing is to make sure I'm still getting some nutrition, frequently with this issue people can become malnourished so the important thing is to avoid that.

Tomato soup from Campbell's works as well, I've started putting small chunks of bread in there/in heated soup to try and work through the fear.

It started when I choked on some salad last October in NYC, and then food got caught in my throat- and it's been downhill, I'm terrified every time I eat it'll happen again or that it'll happen and I'll have another anxiety attack in public. It's driving me crazy, so I TOTALLY KNOW how you feel.
Posted 11/14/2015 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Also, avocados are fairly easy to swallow.

I think a lot of folks talk about desensitization and just going for it when they have this issue, but trust your body- if your body is rejecting, take it slow, take it easy- that's what my doctor and therapist have been saying. I shouldn't just try and dig into a burger right now, especially when trying to eat makes me so anxious, I'm working through it small bites at a time- avocadoes, chicken with no sauce, I find macaroni and cheese goes down really easily- try and eat these foods while distracting yourself- watch a movie, watch the news, try and put your focus off something else.

Something I've been trying to do is remember that our bodies are built to avoid choking- there's a whole mechanism that prevents choking, and when we breathe, our inhalation and exhalations create a curtain of air at the back of our throat to basically keep food molecules from entering our lungs. People very rarely choke- this is what I keep telling myself- and it takes a lot for it to happen, if it makes you feel better eat with another person around, or eat very slowly and in very small bites until you puree your food.

Until you get to work with a therapist/doctor, I hope all this info helps... this has been happening with me for a month now, so I'm at the very beginning of getting better, I also have a ton of underlying issues/anxieties I have to work through as well.

I also suggest getting a humidifier in your room to make sure you don't get dry mouth and the like?
Posted 11/14/2015 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I had this fear a lot when I was little- my throat always felt odd and I was constantly tapping my throat as a nervous tic.

This might be a shot in the dark, but have you considered acid reflux? I know you just started a new medication- any chance it could cause acid reflux which could then cause the feeling of something almost in the throat. Just a thought.
Posted 11/15/2015 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I'm not alone. It makes me feel a little bit better. I have considered acid reflux but it started before I started the Cymbalta so I don't think it has anything to do with the meds. I think I need to talk to my PCP to just get the appropriate tests to rule all other possibilities out. I have another strike against me being that I have to be gluten free so my diet selections are even more limited. Today I had to gluten free eggos and a piece of pork roll for breakfast. 2 tiny pieces of pizza for lunch and the other half of my gluten free sub from last night. This is literally like 1/4 of what I would eat on a normal day. I also had a french vanilla coolatta from Dunkin Donuts. I know it's not healthy but I'm trying to prevent anymore weight loss at this point so bring on the calories, lol. It's just the strangest thing. I get so tense before eating. Like my anxiety goes through the roof. I wake up soooo anxious because I know I have to eat breakfast. I have started therapy so I've had a few sessions but nothing concrete yet. It's like I get the food in my mouth and I literally have to puree it in order to swallow. I've never dealt with anything like this and it is making me feel so crazy and even more depressed. It just took me like over 30 minutes to eat a half of a sandwich. It's also quite humiliating. Thank God I have a supportive Husband. I'm already getting anxiety just thinking about Thanksgiving. Thank heavens it's only close family. Not to mention I'm so exhausted after eating barely anything from moving my jaw so much from pureeing the food. I hope I don't sound totally crazy. It takes me forever to eat anything. :*(
Posted 11/15/2015 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this issue currently.:(
However, as you can see you are not alone...and we have had many post on this subject...so please do a search here (upper right toolbar) to read more great input!

Have you considered therapy and or hypnosis for treatment? Therapy could help you gain the tools for overall anxiety management...which could help with the specific phobia....

...and since phobias respond well in general to hypnotherapy, this could be a good thing to look into and consider.

We also have great coping skills and material for anxiety management at the top of the main forum page here in the Resources.

Check them out and give some of the suggested exercises a try.:) They are effective if practiced regularly.

Feel free to post with us anytime as well. We care, understand and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/16/2015 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was actually considering trying some hypnosis as I'm willing to try anything at this point. Yes I'm currently in therapy now. I've only had a few sessions so we're just breaking ground. I also bought a self help book called Thoughts & Feelings that my therapist recommended. I just really have to put the work in but I'm so exhausted all the time from the constant anxiety. And I have a 16 month old so I'm busy taking care of him as he always comes first. I try first and foremost to be a good mother and shield him from my anxiety. It's tough but I do my best. Where do I find the other posts on the swallowing issue? I guess this is more common than I thought. Thank you.
Posted 11/16/2015 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
It's great to hear you are seeing a therapist who is encouraging books and self help! Keep up that good work...and trust you will see results in time!

To do a search go to the upper right toolbar, click on the Search icon, then input key words such as:

*trouble swallowing
*globus
*cricopharyngeal spasm

I hope you find relief soon! Keep posting for support!

S.C.
Posted 11/17/2015 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. :-)
Posted 11/18/2015 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys

I'm so glad this is the 2nd post I see the moment I'm back on here after so long. Looks like I too have this issue with swallowing/eating. It's always been with me since I was little, when I'm feeling really anxious (social situations). But now it's kinda blown up for like 3 years I have fears of swallowing/eating/gagging. I've only sought therapy this year and it's especially now my anxiety is sky-rocketing that I experience fear of swallowing even more.

It's like I'm about to swallow this globule of food and then I get hit by the same intrusive thought my mind goes "OH NO wait not ready yet!!!" - midway through swallowing and then I run the risk of ACTUALLY choking and then I start to panic when this happens. I agree when this happens all the time eating can be really tiring.. People sit down to enjoy a meal and we sit to get ready for 20 bungee jumps.

But oddly enough I didn't realise this was actually so common? (I mean seeing as you guys have it too) I always thought I was an oddball... Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone
Posted 11/18/2015 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I tried eating today, along with my fear of choking I have acid reflux, about a minute after I had finished I felt the bile rise in my throat and I PROJECTILE vomited across my kitchen, not even being histrionic here, that's legitimately what happened, it was awful... I was so upset, it felt like I had crossed so many hurdles finishing a meal and then I lost it all in one go like that, I was so anxious while eating and then that paired with my reflux... no bueno.

I'm going NUTS!
Posted 11/18/2015 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I'm going to look into hypnotherapy and biofeedback treatment to help.

I have a sensitive system and don't respond well to medication, unfortunately.

I'm currently living on milkshakes, fruit smoothies, protein shakes, Ensure, yogurt, etc.

I'll eat an avocado here and there... tonight was the first night I tried to eat a full meal, I had some pasta, and BOOM I just LOST IT when I tried to eat. Maybe I tried to jump back into full solid food meals too quickly?
Posted 11/18/2015 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
In the meantime I'm trying to stay well nourished by picking smoothies with plenty of protein (I like Bolthouse farms), drinking 2 Ensure a day, making sure I get fruit juice- again, Bolthouse farms or Naked juice, and trying to eat at least one solid thing a day- I usually go with an avocado, or a few bites of macaroni and cheese has been fairly easy to get down.
Posted 11/18/2015 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
M.,

I am really sorry this happened to you.:(  I know you are frustrated and worried about this issue you are currently going through...

...but rest assured that with treament and time, things will improve.

I am glad to read that you are going to be seeking some help specifically for this...so you can get the tools you need to start to eat normally, and without anxiety and discomfort soon.

Keep us posted as to your progress, and we will keep you cheered on in your recovery.:)

S.C.

Posted 11/19/2015 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat!

I hope we can just continue to be supportive.

My doctor/therapist backs up what I'm thinking... if I try and force myself back into eating food it's just not going to go well, I have to take it one step at a time and be kind to myself. And that goes for all of you as well!

I just want to be able to jump back into the deep end and eat anything I want, but every time I do it backfires, so I'm going to go slow and take it one day at a time- you should too, Devyn!

Just one day at a time, my doctor has assured me I won't wither away, neither will you... just do your best. <3
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