Are there any clever tricks to avoid gagging when taking a Covid test?

[SoupDragon]

I will have to take LTFs to go visit my mum and I'm dreading it. I gag really easily and have a fear of vomiting (but not as bad as a phobia!).

Is there a way to minimise gagging other than getting DD to take them for me? (Which obviously I'm not going to do 😂)

I will be trying all tips.

DD thinks brushing her tongue regularly has stopped her being so susceptible to gagging.

My dd sings when she does hers and swears it works! I just gag every time

I find the gagging is better if you can see what you're doing, so look in the mirror. Honestly thoughI have to do them for work and I think it's getting harder.

I’ve been doing lft twice a week since January, I still gag! I console myself with the thought that it’s over quickly.
Definitely nose and throat though

Here is the government advice for those with a "strong gag reflex" - they have only put it on the Special Schools advice but it was one of the questions on the instructional webinar I sat through (as a Primary School administrator in March) and they agreed that you can do a valid test by swabbing both nostrils for 10 seconds or (if you suffer from nose bleeds) just both tonsils. A PCR test should be both throat & nose and preferably done by a trained tester.

"However, a ‘person centred approach’ should be used to assess which sample to take from each child or young person. A child or young person may find it difficult to take a throat swab due, for example, to their having difficulty in understanding instructions, needing to keep their mouth open during the period of swabbing or they are having a strong gag reflex. In such cases, where a combined nose and throat swab (for at-home testing) is not possible, a nose swab from both nostrils can be taken."

Govn Advice Site

Also the NHS LFD kits come up on their site with nostrils only instructions England.nhs.uk so some kits are obviously designed just for that.

Hold your breath as you do the throat bit

Weirdly, this 100% works for me.

Get your left hand and wrap your fingers around your thumb so it’s inside a fist.
Squeeze as hard as you can.
After five seconds, press your right index finger on your chin and count to five.
Then, using your right thumb and index finger, squeeze the skin on your left hand in-between the thumb and index finger for five seconds.

They’re supposed to be nose and throat but doing both nostrils seems to work fine too and test still valid. I can’t manage the throat one without contaminating the swab so do two nostrils instead.

Definitely throat and nose! Where are these nose only tests! (Although I hate it up there too 🤮)

I’m terrified of anything going up the nose or at the back of my throat, due to a traumatic insertion of an NG tube a few years ago.

So I always said I’d refuse a test. But then a situation arose where I had no choice. I had the shakes, sweating etc beforehand.

But I actually found that doing it myself instead of someone doing it to me, really helpful. I wasn’t rushed, had plenty of time, and had no problem doing it.

Why can't they invent a blood test that's just as accurate?!

@SoupDragon I'd rather have a swab in my mouth twice a week than a blood test

I find it helps if I approach the tonsils from the side rather than putting the swab into the middle of my mouth as it goes back. I can sort of creep up on them and don’t gag as much. Also the swabbing for 10 seconds is bollocks; I manage barely 1 second and it still works.

It gets easier with practice!

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@SoupDragon I'd rather have a swab in my mouth twice a week than a blood test[/quote]
In my ideal fantasy world, was thinking a pin prick test.

I remember hearing about an anal test but I wasn't sure if that was just a joke or not given I heard it on the Alan Carr podcast! 😂 I'm not sure where I stand on that.

Recommended going diagonally across to opposite side tonsil by the care home receptionist. Worked really well for me.

Sometimes I just swab one nostril, I always get a valid, negative result. If I needed to swab more diligently wouldn't it come up as invalid?

I find saying 'aah' and doing it in a mirror helps.
Dd2 has emetophobia and also a condition called laryngospasm, and manages twice weekly lfts doing it this way.

I have to use something to press my tongue down or it gets in the way but it also helps with the gagging. Now I’ve mastered that bit, I find the nose worse as it makes your eyes water.

Thank you for all your tips and suggestions!

Our lfts are nose and throat. We did same last week before visiting dm. Do it in front of a mirror, don't rush and focus on breathing as you swipe.

My LFT are both nose and throat.

Pinch your left thumb between your left pointer finger and left middle finger. This reduces your gag reflex.

@SoupDragon - I hope the tips help, and you enjoy your visit to your mum.

I curl up my toes, heard it somewhere and does help

My lft (done yesterday) are tonsil area and one nostril. In that order.
I found saying ‘ahhhh’ throughout helped a bit. I still gagged, was nearly sick and had red eyes afterwards.
My problem was the wands are so flexible I wasn’t really able to do the ‘firm’ action mentioned throughout the 22 step instructions !

I am wondering how I'm going to manage all the tips without an extra set of hands 😂