Advice with onset of gagging

[Violet50]

Hello, my 23 year old daughter has recently started gagging before food has gone in her mouth but only with certain foods. It is when the spoon reaches her mouth. Has anyone had any experience of this occurring in an adult? Thank you for any help you can give me

[lecsmum]

Research the Autism linked condition ARFID mine got this when locked away in a Priory Hospital, freed when this place was deemed inappropriate for her, she went on to have a stomach peg fitted for a time!

[Violet50 in reply to lecsmum]

Thank you for your reply, I'm sorry to read that about your daughter's experience. I will have a look about ARFID.

[lecsmum in reply to Violet50]

Check out Autism and ARFID,

[Dancer600]

Hi Violet50. Sorry I haven't got an answer for you as we too have this difficulty with our 26yr old which started in 2021. We think it might have been caused by some food that stuck to the back of his throat and caused a gagging sensation. We had a SALT assessment which suggested cutting food up small pieces and also a dietician as it did affect his eating after this. We have food supplements to help keep his weight up. The reflex has reduced but not gone away. We try not to make a fuss of the gagging and when he refuses to eat we just wait and encourage him to try again. I guess it depends on which foods are being rejected. We find small bite sizes and wetter foods work best for us and keep drinks handy. Might be worth keeping a note or which foods she rejects and whether you can introduce these to her in a different form. I don't think we are alone with this condition and I can only suggest what is working for our situation. For us it's a sensory issue which results in an anxiety response. Lecsmum's suggestion of ARFID is a good start. Stay positive and I hope thing improve for you and your daughter.

[lecsmum in reply to Dancer600]

ARFID, mine with Autism stuck in the Priory in Pontypridd developed this and grew very ill, we got her out to go to NHS Hospital where she had a stomach peg fitted, The treatment in the Priory was abusive, and she was put in Isolation, her acute anxiety went OTT,

[Violet50]

Thank you for your reply, I will have a look about ARFID. What supplements does your son have? We use Aymes shakes, one for breakfast as she has a poor appetite and doesn't seem to feel hunger. She used to have a good appetite but this all changed during covid.

[lecsmum]

Getting her out of that hospital and a month or two with a stomach peg, care in the Community now although the NHS tells me she has PTSD.