Want to share tips on swallowing.

[lifeofbrian]

No this post is not meant for a porn forum, so calm down you naughty people.

I have had problems with swallowing/choking on food for around 5 years now. I have suffered from insane anxiety for about 8 years, and this is just the latest symptom to add to my collection.

It all started when I was eating some crusty bread, suddenly I was like "hold on, it's not going down". That was it, for about 6 months every mouthful was an adventure in panic. And now it comes and goes at random, and also moves to different parts of my throat.
A month ago my entire throat and even my gums were a 9.5/10 sore. I called 111, saw a doctor and a dentist, all fine.
The last few days I couldn't stop fixating on my larynx, since yesterday, it's right at the bottom of my throat above my chest bone. A feeling that something is touching.

I try to eat things that are so small, like rice and porridge that it can't get stuck, microwave meals like cottage pie are also helpful, the potato is almost liquid. Sometimes I consider going on a purely liquid diet. That being said I still feel like sometimes I could choke on thin air sometimes.

Being in public, or even around family can make it very bad, I've just now said no to going round my nephews house because they smoke, and it sets off my throat, first a little tickle, then cough, then I lose my voice and it feels like I can't breath, but I can. I will be starting a course of Omeprazole and nasal steroids on Monday. This time I'll just stay on them forever I think.

Does anyone have any helpful tips that have helped them to cope.

Big hugs for all.

[Buster70]

Hi , I don't have the answer but I can relate to all you have written , my anxiety started when I choked on some food over four years ago I stopped breathing and thought this is it I'm a gonner ended up at hospital but I'm still here , I have reflux and a massive fear of choking , I've had a lot of problems this year so my anxiety has got worse and so has the breathing , wheezing , reflux , I've been to docs quiet a few times and my chest sounds clear , I have asthma which I can't tell the difference between throat wheezing and chest , I've had the nasal steroid spray didn't realy help , I take Omeprozol which stops the acid , as I sit here I feel the tickle and have to keep clearing my thoat , it's turned into a real nightmare lately , is it asthma , reflux, post nasal drip , mad parrot disease, I don't know but it's driving me mad , take care .

[agnes]

I can totally relate to both your posts above and could have also written most of the content myself. I don't have any tips sadly but, having suffered from this on and off for a long time, I know that it's a symptom of anxiety though knowing this doesn't make it go away

---------- Post added at 13:46 ---------- Previous post was at 13:22 ----------

Ah, I've just thought of a tip that doesn't make the throat thing go away but which can help me. M and S sell small tins of little extra strong mints. I find that sucking one of these helps a little...they're small and quite strong and they sort of normalise my swallowing just a wee bit

[Buster70]

Hi , yes I use strong mint chewing gum and that helps me for while it distracts me from it , been going through it again today because it's been hot that makes it worse , cheers