I’ve accidentally breathed in a pea… somehow!

[strawberryjeans]

Not a joke post, though I know it sounds like one.

God knows how but I think I’ve managed to breathe in a pea, ie aspirate rather than it going down my oesophagus it’s gone down my windpipe! It was in my mouth and I gasped, and felt it go down the wrong way. It hasn’t made me cough, at all. It’ll sound so silly but is it something I should worry about or can the body dissolve things like that.

Thank you

I’m not a doctor so don’t want to advise but taking a look at this and other pages on Google it doesn’t sound like you’re going to drop dead tonight. Speak to doctor tomorrow

https://www.healthline.com/health/aspiration-pneumonia

@strawberryjeans thank your lucky stars its not a bean, can you imagine a Jack and the beanstalk type scenario if it was to germinate inside you 😱

Having cared for someone who had a condition that made him aspirate food, I don't think one pea will do any damage and when he started aspirating it was very obvious. I wouldn't go to A&E unless you get symptoms or feel unwell

Why would you think that beams germinate but peas don't?!

I may be being a bit over cautious, but I would say sod work tomorrow, and go to A & E. Maybe around 7am. It may not be as busy in the morning. People have posted some grim scenarios and examples, but they're not being dramatic @strawberryjeans If it went in your lung, it could get infected and turn nasty. It may be worth spending a few hours in A & E for the reassurance/for them to help you get it out.

*beans.

I'm sure you're fine OP. Leave it a few days but if you start to feel ill speak to your GP.

I think @spookehtooth is just joking around @Notcookie !!!

Given that your typing on MN your death isn't imminent, don't stress!

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine and its probably not in your lung haha. But - my husband is a doctor and has told me before its very common to find random foreign objects in peoples bodies so I'm reluctant to say its impossible.

I think the best thing is to call your GP if they're readily available and book an appointment. Alternatively you can give the Nurse Hotline a call and explain the situation and see what they recommend. NHS 111 is the number I believe.

Haha, I'm talking about a magic bean. You were told when you were little Jack and the beanstalk wasn't a documentary right?

Jack and the beanstalk has nothing to do with anything being discussed here though. It’s literally a fairy tale about a bean plant. Beans germinate and grow. So do peas. I get you find it funny but I can’t figure out what the funny bit is?

If you're a healthy adult with no breathing issues and the ability to cough then you will be absolutely fine.

The point is that the beanstalk in the fairy tale grew so high it touched the clouds. If the prospect of a pea germinating inside you is grim, then how much worse, if it were to be the size of a magic beanstalk.

Yes

I may have done this once with a gummy bear... Anyway I coughed it up suddenly with no huge effort a few hours later. Never felt less divine in my life.

@Xmaswomble sorry. I tried reporting my post for deletion but it seems "XMAS Grinch said it wasn't funny" wasn't an option

Definitely A&E
Could cause aspiration pneumonia

I did this with a lump of food once. I coughed a little but then stopped. I could feel it stuck. 48 hours of excess mucus later, it came back out intact. Call the GP tomorrow if you're worried.

@strawberryjeans hi OP, critical care doc here. this can be serious. you should go to a&e. at the very least you need a chest xray and then depending on where it is perhaps a bronchoscopy. even if nothing needs to be done - better safe than sorry. aspiration can be really serious.

Good luck OP, I hope you get checked out okay.

I hope all is well this morning.

@strawberryjeans, yes completely.

Hi everyone, so I’m fine! No urge to cough, no funny feeling, just feel normal. Just going to see how I get on.

@strawberryjeans I'm really confused why you are ignoring medical advice here? I'm glad you're feeling ok now but I really would be getting checked out.

You need to tell gp and get it checked. I’ve read horror stories about this - one person who inhaled a nut and another who inhaled a sewing pin. In both cases they didn’t feel anything or cough but it caused horrendous complications.

it could be there and get coughed out but if it gets stuck it’s bad and needs to be removed.

I’ve had this before OP, thinking I’d inhaled a whole pea. I worried because I distinctly remember reading a news article a few years ago where a girl dropped dead hours after inhaling a minuscule bit of crisp!

So I did some googling and apparently it’s quite common to inhale little bits of food and out bodies should sort it out. Nothing ever came of it for me.

I’d say if you get any symptoms at all then ring 111 first, but I wouldn’t go to A&E unless you’re experiencing pain ect.