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helen__w
14-07-05, 02:31
Hi! I'm new to this website and I'm hoping that someone else will understand what I'm going through. I have developed a problem when swallowing - I panic that I am going to choke on food and I'm reluctant to swallow and when I do swallow I feel like the food is stuck in my throat and I start coughing trying to get all the food out of my mouth. After eating I feel like there is still food there and I end up drinking loads to make sure that it moves!

I have had this for about 2 weeks and its getting worse and so now I'm just eating soup and ice-cream so I dont have to cope with the panic! [Sigh...] Also, when I am drinking I often feel that I need to burp after every mouth full! Tonight I also started to have pains in my chest - just a few sharp pains but enough to scare me! If anyone else has experienced anything like this it would be great to hear from you because I just can't see it getting any better! [Sigh...]

BrandyK
14-07-05, 03:31
Hi Helen,

I have the same symptoms. I thought that I was going to choke on food too, So I tried to eat as fast as I could. Nothing is going to get stuck you just have to chew it properly. I also have pains in my chest, I too thought that it was heart related but I am still here. Its all anxiety related!!!! Crazy what it can do to you! The pains in your chest may be just muscles constricting.. And my advice to you is not to think about food getting stuck and you will have a much easier time with eating!

Brandy

tt
14-07-05, 03:44
Welcome! If you type in the search area - Chest pains, you will see so many posts.
Chest pains are very common with anxiety. A lot of people have them and us that worry or think of the pain as "heart attacks" become so alarmed by the slightiest pain in that area. It is definetly a symptom.
I could go on for ever about them as I have worried about them for the
last 20 years or more.
TT:)


TT:)

pinkscrumpy
14-07-05, 07:45
Hi Helen

A big warm welcome to you.

Its definitily anxiety.



MANDIE XX

Karen
14-07-05, 08:12
Hi Helen

Welcome to the forum.


Karen



It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

nomorepanic
14-07-05, 08:37
Hi Helen

Welcome aboard.

These previous posts may help ..

Tight throat : MORE HORRID SYMPTOMS!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1957)

Swallowing/ choking:
Hi All (Swallowing / Choking Fear...) (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3239)

What has suddenly changed, feel awful! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3518)

Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)

A strange one, anyone else experienced similar?? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3741)

eating & breathing (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3589)

Really frightend of Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3576)

Chest pain:
Dull ache (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3044)

chest pains (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3487)

As you will see it is very common.

Happy reading.

Nicola

"Nearly all happiness comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open"

Meg
14-07-05, 15:32
Hello Helen,

Both your symptoms are extremely common and most of us have had them in some shape or another ..

Here are a few more bedtime reading posts


throat !!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3857)
Strange Lump in Throat (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3929)
Throat, improvements, questions (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4008)
Problems with eating and Swallowing, (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4175)
update on throat problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4270)




Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

helen__w
14-07-05, 15:36
Hi

Thanks for all your kind advice, it is nice to know that I am not alone!

I am going to India for a year in 2 weeks and I am really worried that this will spoil my trip for me so I was considering seeing a hypnotherapist. Has anyone else had success with one?

Helen

Meg
14-07-05, 15:59
Helen ,

Have you considered it may be nerves/apprehension about going thats brought this on ??

Once you get there it will vanish.

Are you gapping ?

Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

helen__w
14-07-05, 16:07
Hi Meg

I have just finished my degree and I am doing teacher training out there. I think you might be right and it might be the apprehension of it all. Also, I got something stuck in my throat twice in one week which I think kick started my problem!

I just need to stop thinking about every mouthful I take but it is really hard because I'm worried if I don't concentrate on what I eat then that is when I will choke!

Helen

jill
14-07-05, 18:08
Hi Helen

Just want to say "WELCOME TO THE SITE"

TAKE CARE

LOVE JILLXX

dizzydruid
15-07-05, 13:41
Hi Helen,
Welcome to the site! I have only been here a few weeks but it has been a great help and everyone is really friendly.
i have been sort of suffering similar problems to you. First of all I am obsessed that my children will choke when eating. Then I started having throat problems. Started off just feeling food stuck after most meals. I then started to feel aches and pains down the side of my neck as well and also felt like there was something in my throat either an irritation or a lump. It all became so bad I went to the doctor several times often ending up in tears as I thought I had throat cancer. The last time I saw the doctor she was brilliant and she talked at length about how anxiety is causing it. After I saw her my throat is not as bad. It comes and goes but I have now discovered it is so much worse if I get anxious again.
i found it hard to believe that it was anxiety because the snesation was so real.
she said that when I get anxious, although I dont notice it my neck and throat become very tensed up, then when I am relaxed it is more noticable, this then sets me off worrying about my throat again and it goes round in a cycle. The more I think and worry about it the worse it feels.
I am getting better but I do watch what I eat and I eat small bits slowly andf drink loads to make sure its all gone down. If you look on the health anxiety board you will see my posts about the throat problems I have had.
Hope this helps a little and welcome to the site.
PM me if you need a chat :)

lucy x