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I think I will choke when I eat..Feel like I am going Crazy!!!!!!

Coggie
Community Member
Hey I am new to this site and think it's great that you can express how you are feeling. I was recently in hospital and to say it was an unpleasant experience is an understatement and I feel that I had a physical and nervous breakdown. Fast forward 3 weeks after that and one night I took two tablets before going to bed and They did not go down too well and I thought I was going to choke. The next day I awoke with my throat aching, went to the Doctor and he said I had an infection and put me on antibiotics, which did not solve the problem. My infection is gone but I have developed a phobia of eating solid food as I feel it will get stuck and choke me. I feel like a baby as I have to eat really soft foods and even then I have panic attacks and cough for such a long time that I am left with a very sore throat. I am seeing a counselor but does not seem to be working and I am also doing meditation. I feel like I am going crazy and life will never be the same again. I have a very supportive partner but I feel with what I am putting him through.
4 Replies 4

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi Coggie, welcome

Id return to your GP. Try another GP if you like.

I had similar symptoms once and a tablet had put a scratch on my throat that took ages to heal. I had to take my medication with small bits of bread and lots of water.

Talk to your counselor and mentionn you have these issues of unrealistic thoughts as a more pressing need.

Tony WK

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Coggie~

Welcome here. As Tony says those thoughts are of course unrealistic. An anxious reaction to a one-off incident. That's not to say it does not appear as a real and most probably frightening worry to you - of course it does. Unfortunately it is unreasoning worry to matters that don't deserve it that is the way anxiety works.

So I'd join Tony in suggesting you seek help with this now. It's unclear from what you said if that doctor is treating you for just the infection, or your anxiety condition too in conjunction with the counselor. In any event I'd suggest that you should talk to both and see what can be done. Hopefully if the base level of your anxiety is reduced then the problems fearing to choke will stop. If not you may need treatment specifically relating to eating.

I'm very sure your life will get much better in time, most illnesses of this nature do respond to treatment.

While talking about medical professionals. You did say that the counseling and medication did not seem to be working. As you would know meds to take time to stabilize and work poperly, and therapy may not have an obvious benefit just to start with. If you are concerned about this talk about it too. If later on you are still unhappy it might then be time to think of a change.

Having a supportive partner is something to be treasured. As I found it makes life so much more straightforward, secure and hopeful to have someone to share the load. Sharing that burden is something I found my partner wanted to do, even though it was hard, she would not have it any other way. I'd expect yours would be the same.

Please talk here as often as you would like

Croix

Coggie
Community Member

Thank you for your thoughts and ideas. I went to the Doctor this morning as I had a bad night and knew it was time I did something about my condition. The Doctor said I had a blocked eutherian tube which he feels was caused by my chronic sinus condition, and He has recommended I use a antihistamine medicine and spray which I got on the way home. My anxiety levels were very high and he has given me a referral to see a psychiatrist and I will make the appointment tomorrow.

I worked as a counsellor for many years and know all the things to say to people to reassure them, and now I find that my anxieties and fears and my negative mind is so strong that the reassurance that people attempt to give me does not register with me. I have always said that the first step to solving a problem is to admit you have a problem, so I feel I have taken the first step to recovery today.

I have always been a happy go lucky person, but the last 4 months that I have been through resulted in me having a physically and emotional breakdown. I hope that when I return to the person I once was I will be able to help people who find themselves in the same situation as I am in now.

Corralie

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Corralie~

Well, there is good news on two fronts, your doctor is receptive and has found a physical cause that may account for part of your difficulties eating (though I would expect your anxiety has contributed a lot too.)

You are referred to a psychiatrist. This is really excellent. My own improvement came from psychiatric help, not just meds.

I agree with your impression, we to tend to devalue our own words when applied to ourselves, I've no real idea why.

I'm sure you are now firmly set on the path to recovery, please let us know how you go

Croix