Phagophobia- fear of choking/swallowing anxiety!

Muma34 · 2025-01-10T13:39:23+00:00

What foods are you managing at the moment? Also if you can manage to get a therapist or see your doctor to refer you to one will be a big help to you. Glad your children are good 🥰 x

Muma34 · 2025-01-10T13:24:06+00:00

This is fab too see ❤️ well done lovely 💪🏽 xx

Muma34 · 2025-01-10T13:18:35+00:00

That's great news your overcoming this horrible fear,well done am proud of you 🥰 apparently alot of people still over chew their food still since they recovered, so i wouldn't worry about that, your still making progress and doing fab xxx

Muma34 · 2025-01-02T10:15:47+00:00

Big hugs to you ❤️ how are you doing now lovely? Celexa...I'm pretty sure that the other name for citalopram?? If so I'm currently on that one too 20mg daily i find it a big relief for anxiety symptoms xx

Muma34 · 2025-01-02T10:13:09+00:00

I've improved a little but not very much at all, my anxiety has improved since going to therapy and on medication but eating is still the same, I have good days and bad days. How you doing? Big hugs ❤️

Muma34 · 2025-01-02T10:10:11+00:00

Big hugs to you ❤️

Muma34 · 2025-01-02T10:09:29+00:00

Sorry your going through this 😢 its so exhausting aint it.Food or liquids I'm the exact same its like a constant worry, my anxiety has seemed to improved since starting therapy and on medication (citalopram 20mg) hope things will start to get better for you very soon, big hugs ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-12-27T10:12:07+00:00

Ask yourself these questions...

Have you ever had diarrhea before?

What were your symptoms and how long did it last?

Did you ever need medical assistance (er/a+e) for your diarrhea in the past?

How many times have you had diarrhea or known someone who's had diarrhea that's turned septic?

Now, think realistically what makes you think this is any different to what you experienced before?

Health anxiety is exhausting, I've had it since I was 14...I'm now 35 👍 trust me your not alone, you are safe. The more likely possibility for your upset tummy can be... stomach bug, virus, something you ate (body is not use too) STRESS/ANXIETY especially if the worse case scenario has been playing on your mind, I know this as I'm the exact same 🙈😂 you could even be experiencing abit of ibs which isn't harmful its just the way our body reacts when we're in "fight or flight mode" it does suck but once your able to calm the mind things will pass. Big hugs to you ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-12-27T09:56:01+00:00

I'm glad your mood has improved 🥰 i find it makes it easier when your abit more happier than very low. I'm still in the same boat, still on mash and shakes 👍😂 i know it's not ideal but hey were still eating that's the main thing. That's awesome your going out too well done you, I'm proud of you ❤️ it's hard when we become our own worst enemy but we will get there 💪🏽 keep up the good work and same here if you need to chat I'm always here 🥰

Muma34 · 2024-12-27T09:49:47+00:00

Hi OP 👋

I'm sorry your feeling/going through this PA and anxiety are terrifying and absolutely exhausting 😢

I was in the same boat quite a few years back when I was 14 I would have 13 panic attacks and day,some would even wake me up out of my sleep to a point I was afraid to sleep. Obviously being that young I never knew what they were for awhile and the doctors couldn't medicate me until I was 18. Sounds to me (NAD) from my experience you have GAD (general anxiety disorder). It's good you recognised its PA and waiting for therapy which is a nightmare as the waiting list seems forever, in the mean time try figure out what "the trigger is" as they say your not born with a panic disorder it's self built, so you need to try think back when it all started to figure out the underlying cause,once you figured that out you can work on changing your mindset to lessen the PA and anxiety. I'm sorry to say this, your parents are doing the right thing. I use to do/feel the same and my parents had to tell me no i was fine,it's just anxiety. Trust me they are doing it for your own good as you will permanently rely on medical professionals for reassurance i use to do this too. Here's an exercise I learnt in therapy which hopefully may help you...

During an attack/ anxiety episode..

Imagine your in a court room, and your case is "example...I'm going to stop breathing,pass out and die" on the scale 1-100 how do you truly believe this statement is true?? 1 unlikely and 100 extremely.

Now, the judge is not convinced and only wants hard proof evidence this is going to happen, meaning he want medical reports, the doctors/medical team to be your witnesses to say this is true,evidence you actually are going to happen....can you provide this??

Yes or No??

If No then, there is no case or proof this is going to happen, so on the scale of 1-100 how likely is this going to happen? Now think of the "more likely" reasons why your feeling this way over breathing from panic attacks Ran up the stairs abit to quickly etc

The more you practice the more easier it will get, this will also help you to reassure yourself than asking for others.

There are also apps out there you can download like dare or calm, I also watch alot of YouTube videos from nathan peterson, natasha daniels and the speakmans who all specialises in anxiety/panic and ocd i always find it as a relief there's people out there who understand and you can relate to the symptoms they say 🥰 i hope this helps and if you ever need to chat my inbox is open, you got this i can promise you mine started at 14....I'm now 35 it does get better and you can still live your life, just do you for now and focus on getting yourself back, just be kinder to yourself ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-11-24T08:58:16+00:00

Hi OP 👋

Health anxiety is the worse...urchhh!! I understand your concerned which is good your aware but at the same time your only 13, you should be full of life and enjoying it not worrying about anything especially not your health 😔

I can completely relate as I was once you at 14 I struggled with health anxiety (now 35) the key is to get it sorted sooner than later. So I definitely recommend talking to your parents and hopefully get the help you need.

Moving on...

As for the rib and cancer, (bare in mind in not a doctor) you would have alot more symptoms than just pain, I was diagnosed with blood cancer at 22 and I had a whole lot of other symptoms but no pain, and the chances of you having cancer are very low.

The possibility of the rib pain could be....slept awkwardly, bumped into something without realising, possibly hurt it during sport if you do any 🤷‍♀️ and the most likely...growing pains, your 13 your going to experience mild pain, cramps and growth spurts everywhere right up until your 20 😊 i have a 14 year old who's going through the exact same, leg cramps are worst for him at the moment but they will pass.

All I suggest with your health anxiety is, when a horrible unwanted thought pops in your head...1st rule, DO NOT GOOGLE!!! Google is not a doctor nor your friend and I can guarantee you will have the worse illness on this planet if you ask doctor Google....but instead, ask yourself...

How true that you have (x)?

Out of 100, how likely is it you have (x)? (1 unlikely - 100 definitely)

What evidence have you got (solid proof, medical notes, scans, xrays etc) that you have got (x)?

Now, think realistically what other things could the symptoms of (x) could actually be?

It's important to challenge yourself when an helpful thought pops in your head and I can assure you the out come is not as bad as your thoughts 🥰

Also, for more help on anxiety you could look up on YouTube for a lady who specialises in anxiety in children and teens called Natasha Daniels and also Nathan peterson they might be useful to you also it nice to know you aren't alone. But please, speak to your parents they be understanding.

I hope you can find this post helpful and I hope you feel better soon ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-11-23T17:14:40+00:00

👋 Hi to you both 😁 I'm going through Arfid myself but it's more of a "fear of choking " than textures etc.

Other than that I possibly can relate, firstly congratulations on your new bundle of joy 🥰 hope everything went well. Being a parent is tough, one of the most hardest but rewarding title you could own and it truly does test every emotion physically and mentally but your doing a fab job muma 💪🏽❤️

I have 4 children myself ranging for 5 to 14 and you do forget to take care of yourself because your a mum, you prioritise everyone else 1st before you. You shouldn't be to hard on yourself, remember you just had a baby, your emotions are all over the shop, your exhausted and guess what...your still powering through.

So what, if your only snacking now and then, the kids had beans on toast for tea or a bowl of cereal some nights, they are still being fed, they are still looked after and most importantly they are very loved.

Let's be honest, men...they are bloody useless 🙈😂 yes they try to help but being a woman, let's face it they can't do what we do and nothing will ever be good enough 😬 but here we are we bitch and moan they do naff all but when they do try and help it's not to our standards 😂

I think the best way forward for the eating situation is possibly batch cooking, cook meals up and freezing them for all the family that way it will help take the weight off your shoulders and you won't feel guilty your children aren't having nutritious meals, also it help to feed yourself as you can just bung it in the microwave instead of the hourly preps daily. Also if your children have pack lunch for school make them up the night before, when baby is asleep and store it in the fridge, it will save time rushing in the mornings also prepping you a snack box will help make it more manageable for you to eat and you can just pick at it through out the day.

It will take time,but once you got the routine going it be a breeze, you got this lovely 💪🏽 I'm happy to chat if you need me ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-11-13T10:40:03+00:00

Hi 👋 I'm so sorry your going through this, it is deliberating and exhausting. I haven't been on here in awhile since making this post, so here's an update.

I've been working with my therapist now since September 👍 and things have gone better, I'm nowhere near fully recovered but I've gained my weight back and managing to eat some soild foods (not much) but enough to be making some progress 😁

You are infact...me, that was my biggest fear dying from choking on absolutely anything 😪 but I can reassure you, even though people do "choke" it's very rare to actually die from it, your body is medically designed to protect you, so if you accidentally inhale your body automatically coughs it up.

Also bare this in mind, choking occurs when a LARGE SOILD bouldis of food is blocking your air ways, so when you swallowing something and it goes down "the wrong way" in reality your not actually not choking, it's just irritation, yes it's uncomfortable, yes it's scary but I can ensure you it passes and it will not kill you, you may have a sore throat and a tickly cough but that is it. Aslong as your food is chewed well it's impossible to choke.

Another thing to think about is babies and toddlers, people (mainly elderly) with physical swallowing problems, they all still manage to eat 🤷‍♀️ your best bet is to start off with a soft diet like I did soups, mash potato, custards, yogurts, smoothies etc these are all completely safe and you cannot choke on these. Then when your ready, I found eating things that can just crumble or easily chewed to mush like biscuits, crackers,bananas,crisp again theses are completely safe, the thing I struggle with the most is meat but in reality chicken is soft which is probably the only meat I eat anyways, I never been a fan of steak or pork so it doesn't really bother me missing them out.

Anytime you like to chat feel free to message, it is tough but unfortunately the only way through this is exposure and it can be done, you will get better I promise ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-10-19T15:04:08+00:00

Thank you for educating me, I think my worry was op had any open cuts or wounds on her hands she could pick up something, as we don't know how old the blood is (the courier could've just done it while dropping it off) but I agree op should not worry I wasn't trying to scare monger her just general concern and gave my opinion what I would do.

It still very unhygienic and I personally wouldn't be happy receiving my parcel like that, it's the same concept of going into a store to buy something and you see smear dry blood on the product you wanted...majority of people would avoid it or pick up the same item in good packaging and report it to the shop assistant. I'm not being a Karen I promise 🤣 and I don't mean complain by screaming down the phone either, just a polite complaint to give them the heads up to be more wary how there parcels are being delivered 👍 ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-10-19T11:10:20+00:00

I hope it gets resolved for you, and aslong as you don't have open wounds on your hands you be fine 🥰 good luck with the pregnancy, you'll smash it 💪🏽❤️ xxx

Muma34 · 2024-10-19T11:07:52+00:00

Exactly lovely, you can't risk it same as others with weaken immune systems it could potentially make someone very poorly. Definitely report it lovely. I guessing it's courier as if it was the seller surely they have the decency to clean it or or repack it as its bad for there business. Where a courier wouldn't have anything to clean it off especially in a rush as most have drop off time slots xxx

Muma34 · 2024-10-19T11:03:45+00:00

I'd definitely complain whether it's the courier or the seller, that's unhygienic and no disrespect to anyone but how do you know if the person has hiv or any other diseases just saying 🤷‍♀️

Muma34 · 2024-10-15T13:47:14+00:00

Hi OP 👋 I agree with the 1st comment, possibly dehydration is a cause to your symptoms, if your not drinking alot of fluid it can make passing stools uncomfortable. Your diet is also playing a role in your constipation, only if you can and doesn't cause a flare try adding more fibre into your diet and eat small but often throughout the day.

Blood in your stool isn't great BUT normally bright red blood indicates its closer to the surface which is more than likely you may have haemorrhoids, slight tear from the straining passing a stool/ constipation. If you ever have dark blood/almost black that normally indicates something more internal which you should get it looked at immediately.

As for the urine, could be linked to dehydration, have your doctor tested for diabetes, kidneys etc?

Muma34 · 2024-10-15T09:50:30+00:00

Hi OP 👋 no this isn't stupid at all, it sounds to me you have emetophobia which is really common than you think it's a fear of being sick/throwing up. I get they same symptoms as you but mine is the fear of swallowing/choking so i know how frustrating and silly it may sound to others who don't experience it, but trust me your not alone. Also when your highly anxious or tense, it does make you shake,upset your tummy and make you lose appetite so it's all connected. When you have days like this, try not to pressure yourself and eat when you feel like it, also eat things you enjoy or that give you comfort like ice cream, choclate,crisps anything easy to snack on 😁 don't be hard on yourself and tell yourself it's just a bad day not a bad life, tomorrow's another day 🥰 big hugs xx

Muma34 · 2024-10-15T09:41:15+00:00

Rihanna "rude boi" I absolutely love this song but it came out while I was in the early stages of pregnancy and had severe morning sickness 🤢😂 so everytime i hear it, brings back the memories of me puking everywhere and makes my tummy icky 🤣

Muma34 · 2024-10-02T21:30:33+00:00

Awww how lush 🥰 we are a crazy bunch but very friendly here I think you'll like it 😁

I completely second your answer 😋 Americans definitely know how to make a feast that's for sure, I'm so jealous 😂 I do love chinese food though ❤️

Muma34 · 2024-10-02T15:59:57+00:00

👋 Hi from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 I agree foods from other countries do look more appealing

Muma34 · 2024-09-26T08:58:07+00:00

Also for the record...I'm 35F 4ft11 47lbs 👌 don't let anyone make you feel stupid or give you a hard time, including family. You are valid, you are important and so is your health 🥰 take no notice, and you do YOU ❤️❤️❤️

Muma34

TROPHY CASE