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I've developed a sudden fear of choking

7 replies

Redleavesfalling289 · 15/02/2022 20:00

Probably worth pre-facing this by saying I'm a naturally anxious person. Had a panic attack back in December & have had them on & off since.

About three weeks ago I started to a niggling worry about choking on food. I live alone by choice, but obviously this might add to the anxiety. I have really bad reflux & in the past had really big tonsils (now removed) & I did struggle to swallow back then, but this was 7 years ago.

This fear seems to have come on really suddenly. My diet consists of:

Boiled Eggs chopped up
Yoghurt
Mash
Soup
Soft cheese

Really not ideal! I spend about half of every month with my boyfriend. He usually comes to stay with me for around a week at a time & I CAN eat solids when he's around. This past weekend I ate a chicken bake, meal out, halloumi fries, a sandwhich. Mostly without worrying too much, though I'm definitely eating slower.

I'm a bit over-weight, so weightloss is not a huge issue, but I don't think my above diet is a good way to sustain myself. The anxiety every time I try & eat is horrible. I tried to eat soft veggie sausages earlier & spat most of it out.

Dinner this evening is vanilla Yoghurt Hmm

Obviously I'm not doing this all the time, which is good, but I am whenever I'm alone, which is most of the time. My family & friends aren't particularly local to me either.

I was doing CBT for GAD, so that's an option. I've also tried ADs six months ago. They worked really well, but eventually turned me into an emotionless zombie, so I eventually weaned myself off them.

Has anyone had this issue & if so how did you overcome it?

It's worth saying my anxiety in general has got worse lately. If I drink too much I get serious beer fear - complete doom & worrying I'm going to die. I've cut down on booze & will further, because its honestly not worth the feeling of complete terror the next day. Ironically, however, drinking booze does make me feel more relaxed about eating.

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 15/02/2022 20:04

No advice I'm afraid, but I would start taking a liquid multi-vitamin. I hope someone wiser on the subject than me comes along soon.

duvetdayforeveryone · 16/02/2022 18:29

Anyone?

mumofEandE · 16/02/2022 18:35

Hi I have had a fear of choking since I was 12 when I saw my 10 year old brother choke - he was with me and my Nan at the time. I had to do the Heimleich manoeuvre / phone an ambulance etc (He was ok in the end)
When I had my DC I couldn't feed them if I was alone in the house (when they were little) and cut up grapes til now my youngest is 16Blush
I have not had any CBT or anything but should have as they must have picked up on my anxiety especially DC1.
I can't eat wine gums if alone and am scared of boiled sweets - but these are easy to avoid
Have you been to your GP to be referred (I appreciate that this may take a while!)

bellalou1234 · 16/02/2022 18:41

This comes and goes with me. I was out having Sunday lunch and couldn't swallow the roast beef. I felt like I couldn't swallow and it was stuck.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 16/02/2022 19:08

@Redleavesfalling289

I'm sorry to hear your experiencing this.

I had a diagnosis of gad and ptsd around three years ago now.

It all started with exactly what you have. A fear of choking followed by an array of panic attacks over a weekend long period of absolute hell for me.

Just remembering that feeling now fills me with absolute dread but the level of medication I was prescribed at the time really armed me down

It's been a long road of working out what triggers things for me.
I have health anxiety caused after an emergency health scare resulting in major surgery and nobody ever really explaining any of it to me.

I've had to research about the lifetime condition I now have so having the knowledge has really helped me.

I still have times where I can feel the panic rise and the choking feeling but I can reasonate with my mind now more where as before it just literally gave me palpitations and panic attacks.

I really feel for you op because I've been exactly where you are right now so I'm giving a massive hand hold and il be on and offline all evening or feel free to on me to chat if it helps.

Are you in any medication for your anxiety?x

Bagelsandbrie · 16/02/2022 19:33

I have this and it’s horrible. I have something called sjorgens syndrome which means I don’t produce as much saliva as other people (lupus related) and my mouth is very dry. This means some of my fear is grounded in reality in the sense that it’s actually really difficult for me to swallow at times. I always keep water next to me and it’s very much mind over matter. I had a recent horrible experience where a paracetamol tablet got stuck at the back of my throat and I literally felt I was going to die, coughed and coughed for ages and drank loads of water but it reinforced my fears and my throat felt sore and uncomfortable for days.

Not sure how to make myself feel better about it all but you’re not alone!

Bagelsandbrie · 16/02/2022 19:35

@mumofEandE

Hi I have had a fear of choking since I was 12 when I saw my 10 year old brother choke - he was with me and my Nan at the time. I had to do the Heimleich manoeuvre / phone an ambulance etc (He was ok in the end) When I had my DC I couldn't feed them if I was alone in the house (when they were little) and cut up grapes til now my youngest is 16Blush I have not had any CBT or anything but should have as they must have picked up on my anxiety especially DC1. I can't eat wine gums if alone and am scared of boiled sweets - but these are easy to avoid Have you been to your GP to be referred (I appreciate that this may take a while!)
Sorry to hear of your scary experience with your brother.

My dd choked on some mashed potato of all things (!) aged 18 months and it was so scary. She was eventually sick and was okay but it has stayed with me since - she’s now 18!

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