Ever since yesterday afternoon I’m having such difficulty swallowing food. Every time I swallow, the food starts to go down but then stops and I have to just heave it up. I have to take super tiny bites of everything and chew it forever before I can even try to swallow it. It’s now given me a massive fear of choking. I don’t know if it’s psychosomatic or not. Has anyone else experienced this?

lola2214

Date posted: 4y

Does it correlate with your anxiety? This is my area of expertise, it sounds like muscle tension dysphagia. See your primary for a referral to a specialist if it’s persisting, they should be able to help

Anonymous

Date posted: 4y

Honestly I can’t tell if it correlates with my anxiety. Yesterday while I was swallowing a bite of food, it started to go down but didn’t go down all the way and I just sort of had to cough it up and then I spit it out. And then I started thinking “oh that was super weird. It’s like I can’t swallow all the way. What if I choke?” And then it started happening with every bite. And I’m not sure if me thinking I’m going to choke is making me subconsciously do it. Or if I’m actually having trouble swallowing. Because I can drink liquids fine. But I can’t swallow a bite of food.

lola2214

Date posted: 4y

@Anonymous Hmm....well don’t let it go on for too long. Keep trying but if you go over 24-48 hours not being able to keep food down I’d go to the doctor. If you’re in the US, a referral to a speech language pathologist would be best.

Anonymous

Date posted: 4y

@lola2214 Thank you for the advice!! I’ll see if it continues tomorrow.

Anonymous

Date posted: 4y

@kingjames23 Hm. I would rather not go a week being scared of choking and not being able to eat lol. I’m just really not sure if it’s physical or mental. It’s very strange.

Anonymous

Date posted: 4y

@kingjames23 It must’ve been really tough though. I’m glad it got better for you 😊

ARTnotOCD

Date posted: 4y

It could easily be a combo of both physical and psychological. The two are very intertwined. I’ll have my throat swell sometimes because of allergies, but I’ve never gone into shock and so have rarely needed emergency care when it happens. My doc has talked to me about the fact that if I stay calm, I’ll likely be able to be fine. Thus, if I freaked out, my psyche would change my physical. And when that’s happened to me, I usually still can drink or breathe, so I struggle to take an antihistamine before it worsens. None of that is to scare you or send you down a wrong path. Just wanted to let you know you’re not alone in having that sensation and to show how easy it is to be a mix of physical and mental causes. Stay hydrated as you keep trying to get through it, and if it doesn’t let up soon, call a doctor. No matter the cause, he/she/they can still help.

Anonymous

Date posted: 4y

Thank you for sharing!! That sounds scary that your throat swells sometimes, but I’ve heard of it happening with people. Maybe I’ll try to take Benedryl tomorrow if it doesn’t resolve on it’s own and see if it helps. And then I’ll see if I can get a doctors appointment soon. I’m glad other people know what I’m talking about, but I’m sorry that you experience it!

ARTnotOCD

Date posted: 4y

@Anonymous Something like aspirin could also help with any swelling without the sleepiness that benedryl often causes. You’ve got this! We’re here with you!

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond