Whats Wrong With My Friend? - Please Read - UPDATE POST 10

[WDWfan36]

My friend has a problem that I really want to know what's wrong with her. Last summer she almost chocked and for a day she wouldn't eat. She finally started eating but now has to make herself force swallow and won't eat without a drink just in case.She is always afraid she is going to choke on something. I really want to help her, but I really don't know how. anyone think they can help?

thanks

 

[Disney Ella]

Have her parents taken her to a doctor? If so, what did he/she say?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She needs to see a specialist preferably a gastroenterologist. They will do a test to see if she has something wrong with her esophagus.

 

[sunnymommy]

She definately needs to see a dr. Not to freak you out, but we had a teenage family friend who couldn't swallow, it had been going on for a couple of weeks before she told her parents. She went to the dr. and was diagnosed with a (eventually fatal) brain tumor.
Now, I am not saying that this is what is wrong with your friend (because this was a rare condition), but it is something to take seriously none the less.
I will pray for her health.
Sunnymommy

 

[Blondy876]

It doesn't sound like she has trouble swallowing but is afraid that she might choke again. confused3 ) While I agree that she should be looked at by her physician to be sure there isn't anything physically wrong she might also want to see a psychiatrist. It is possible that the trauma of the choking incident may have left a mental scar.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Does she have any pain anywhere else in her body? Muscular or joints? I have periods where I can't seem to swallow.. it's like my throat muscles just give up. But it's a combination of my autoimmune disease, my fibromyalgia and all the medicines I take.

 

[Rajah]

A) Have her see a gastroentologist (sp?) I had the same problem for a while (not quite so extreme, but close) and getting on acid reflux medicine took care of it for the most part.

B) If the gastro doesn't pan out, Have her see an endocrinologist. There are many other internal conditions (including thyroid and autoimmune disorders) that can cause difficulty in swallowing.

C) She may want to check with an allergist as well. Did she have any other reaction when she choked? Could it have been an allergic reaction?

D) And as mentioned, it could just be fear at this point that is keeping her from being able to swallow. I've been there, and though I rarely have trouble any more, I still can not eat or take pills unless I have 2 big gulps worth of a drink handy.

E) Tell her if she starts to choke again, one of the most important things she can do is to RELAX. If she doesn't panic immediately, she may be able to force her throat to relax enough for her to finish swallowing. This has helped me several times before as well.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Maybe she's having trouble swallowing because she choked (and is scared), but maybe she choked because she's having trouble swallowing.

Either way, a trip to the doc might help.

 

[barbeml]

Maybe globulus hystericus? Stress causes the throat to close up. When I was a kid I remember one of my friend's moms had it after a car accident.

 

[WDWfan36]

No i mean she can swallow but she just is afraid too. That's what i ment. Sorry should have been specific. how do i help her? She eats normal diet and stuff she is just afraid she will choke

 

[WDWfan36]

Bump!

 

[Christine]

No i mean she can swallow but she just is afraid too. That's what i ment. Sorry should have been specific. how do i help her? She eats normal diet and stuff she is just afraid she will choke

This happened to me as a child.

When I was about 8 years old, I spent the night at a friend's house. Her father apparently had throat cancer and, while I was there, had a huge choking incident (I don't remember any of it--my mom tells me). When I came home the next day, I do remember being afraid to swallow my food. This went on for weeks. I would only eat very soft foods. If my mom served any steak or chicken, I would chew it up and spit it out on my plate. I had this huge fear that I would choke. And I could feel every bit of food as it passed down my throat.

Now, this was back in the "dark ages" of the late-60s. Back when you could actually get good medical care just from a GP and you didn't have to go to a million different specialists. My mom took me into the GP and told him the problem. He sat down with me and drew a very detailed picture of the esophagus, breathing apparatus, throat, etc. and how it all works together so that it really isn't "common" to choke on your food. At 8 years old, that was enough for me and I was "cured."

Sounds like your friend is having a severe anxiety/phobic reaction to choking. She will either gradually get over it, or she needs to see a doctor for some help to make her feel that nothing is wrong with her.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No i mean she can swallow but she just is afraid too. That's what i ment. Sorry should have been specific. how do i help her? She eats normal diet and stuff she is just afraid she will choke

Again she needs to see a doctor. The reason for choking may be medical. How you help her is to encourage her to see a doctor to check her out first.
Once she is medically in the clear then you can help her.

 

[WDWfan36]

Thanks for the help. I was thinking It might be mental but I will be sure to tell her what you all have said.

Thanks again!