Ok so has anyone eles haveing a promblem with swallowing soild food

[Bluswife]

I started eating again and now I can't.... never had this before this year and I have delt with anxiety and panic disorder episodes my whole life ??? Anyone. Else and any advice

[Hidden]

Yes I have this same problem. So I try to eat slowly in small pieces and take a drink with each mouthful.

[Bluswife]

I try but I don't even know anymore. Ugh it sucks for real I have lost weight and everything I just want to eat

[Hidden in reply to Bluswife]

What about asking ur gp for build up drinks until it ok eating solids. Thats what I had to do in 2012.good luck. X

[Hidden]

Hi Bluswife. Yes I too have that problem. I had it everyday for several years before I found out about anxiety. I too had lost a lot of weight. After starting meds, it went away. This past month had started feeling it again. I'm not sure if it's certain things that trigger it. Just don't know. Will be see g my doctor this week so I'll ask about it. I know last few months anxiety has been horrible. Going through menopause so my anxiety has doubled 😔

[Starry]

I struggled with this recovering from viral meningitis. I would literally gag at anything.

I lived on oats and soy milk and smoothies for weeks. Eventually I was able to get a bit of something down and then avocado and tofu etc then toast and baked beans but it took a long time.

I still can't eat a lot of stuff I used to anymore like coffee, tinned tomatoes, alcohol. I think I've developed GERD.

No advice really just try to take your anxiety thoughts back away from food, mediate or do calming mind exercises etc before eating and try to eat when at your most calm.

[Peacewithin1 in reply to Starry]

And I developed Gerd too once I started to eat again. If you look at my old posts you'll see the details. Sorry you're going through this. It's not easy to deal with.

[Peacewithin1]

In the beginning of anxiety and panic attacks I did and I lost about 15 lbs in 3 months because of it.

[Bluswife]

Thank each and everyone who has replied .... Yes I seen my gp who sent me to a gi doc who done a scope and dilation in Marchso it recovered and in may moved in to my own place and started eating better gained most of the weight I lost back. But the first of Aug I ended up not being able to work and moved in with my grandparents and it's gotten 100% worse I can eat anything at all. I have stayed at 107. So the Dr said that's good but I am 5 foot onebut I want to eat food and I feel like with therapy starting back and another dilation I might be able to eat. ........ Oh yeah this alstared from a chip scratching and scaring my esphouges

[Ktbm]

I cant eat either cos of the fear of choking which happened 3 months ago with one of my Anxiety meds. All ive lived on is soup thati hate yogarts not a big fan and weetabix mashed up. Its driving me crazy i want to eat what my family are eating. The fear is madness i have bout swallowing. I was eating mashed potato for a bit then some got stuck and i went into a panic attack so cant even eat that now. I do have Ensures thier build up drinks off my Dietician but its not enough. Ppl just dont get how scared i am to eat anything soild incase i choke its me thats not gonna be able to breathe not them and its terrifying. Any advice would be great. Im 5ft 9. And weigh 8st so not good. Ive got Bioplar disorder to aswell as horrendous Anxiety and panic attacks.😔

[Bluswife in reply to Ktbm]

I got chocked at 16 on pizza I had already passed out when my mom finally got to and got it out so many years later I was eating s chip that scratched my throat in December 2016 so it brought back that feeling of being in my throat even tho I could breath I panic attack cause it made my throat swell so it sucks and the mashed potatoes did the same to me so I make them a lil thicker than ensure. And telly self that they desovel if u drink warter or fluids of any kind they want stay there

[Ktbm]

I tryed making mash potato in lots of different ways and nothing works ive always got a bottle coke with me as the gass in it should bring it back up or at least help it down. Im so limted to what i can have im starving all the time and its really gettig me down which i cant afford this for my mental health. Im in a vicious cycle i cant see a way out. I tryed some weetabix this morning and after 3 tiny mouthfuls i was shaking witj fear to continue abit of that got stuck too. My Dietican tells me i have to try harder but how easy is that for her to say. I feel sad and low and most of all frustrated. Just want to have a normal meal like i did b4 these attacks started. Im normally a really positive person but this has changed me massively and i dont like it. Thanks for your reply.

[Bluswife in reply to Ktbm]

Oh yes I know what u r talking about have u seen a GI doctor I know a lady that has sever anxitey and has to have her throat dilated and I had to have mine once from a chip scratching it and I was able to eat a lil and with therapy it helped for a. Few months I am going in the 3 rd of oct to have the dilation again due to me not being able to get anything down but ensure and I know a lot of it is anxiety but anxitey can cause your thorat to stay tight and the lady gets her done ever two months. So I will see how it goes again

[Bluswife]

And ensure will give I everything food dos with out the chewing it's not a life goal but it's there until u get better I have been on it for two months now

[Ktbm]

I have 3 Ensures a day but still wanting solid food its torture and im over it. I feel like im letting myself down everyday cos i cant battle this. Im a level headed person this is all to much for me i really cant cope. What if i cant ever eat normally again its such a worry. That new day i plan never comes.

[Bluswife in reply to Ktbm]

U will eventually .... My doc said that this isn't an over nite fix sometimes we take our anxiety to the next level and it turns in to a phobia. And in return makes our anxiety worse and I have to drink 6 to 8 a day to keep calories I want to look healthy and I don't I look sick and I feel tired I am over it

[Peacewithin1]

You guys will eat normally again. It takes time but eventually you'll get sick of not eating what you want and you'll start to eat little by little until you forget about it.

[Ktbm]

God i hope so cos i can't go on like this its mentally draining. Thanks for your reply.

[Bluswife]

Well like I said before anxiety can cause your throat to lock and a simple dilation will have u eating some what normal but yes it's going to take time ..... And anything with anxiety drains u. .. it's the worst but just message me if u need to talk good luck

[Ktbm in reply to Bluswife]

What do u mean by dilation?

[Bluswife]

A dilation is where the G.I doc gos in with a scope and a balloon and stretches the esophagus . Alot of people with anxiety disorder and Panic attacks have swallowing promblems so they have to have this done often