Gagging

[Rainydaiz]

Hi all
I have been off work for the last 5 weeks as I finally came to the realisation that my dad had sexually abused me as a child and was having major PTSD symptoms. I am due back in work tomorrow. I just wondered if anyone else here has a problem with gagging. I've only had this problem during the last 5 weeks really. It happens when brushing my teeth but it's getting worse. I had it the other day when passing a group of smokers. Today I also had it when flossing and using mouth wash (which is how I try to get round the not brushing my teeth so well). It's horrible. I also have a lump in my throat a lot of the time. It's pretty scary to think about what it might mean. Also I have quite a bad phobia of being sick, which I suspect is related. Anyone else have similar symptoms? Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

I do have similar symptoms, I think it's really common in anxiety disorders. I have an eating phobia (choking) so I have it really really bad, I don't have advice at the moment, just been putting up with it for many years now, it's become the norm for me. Swallowing can be a real problem when I'm anxious too, sorry you have this, it is very annoying :(

 

[Rainydaiz]

Thank you Cj77. Sorry you have this too. Thanks for replying. Bit scared I'm going to have to put up with it too! Horrible isn't it?

 

[Chava]

I don't have this much, though have experienced some gagging and also sick feelings (like I'd throw up). I'm not always sure what it relates to though sometimes has felt like intubation (which I've had several times since really young). My therapist is a somatic/body-based trauma therapist and would encourage me to just let myself gag and cough it out when that was happening. And also find ways to keep grounded. Basically, fighting it made the sick feelings worse. Coughing helped. Not sure if this would help you or not. Are you working with a therapist?

Lump in the throat or tight throat is common with anxiety or panic. So are sick feelings. But specific gag feelings can also be body memories. Best to work with a therapist if you are able to. But also work on finding what might ground you if it's connected to panic symptoms (which I find to be the case with body memories).

 

[Jobriel]

I have a severe fear of getting sick, particularly of having a sort throat. I also have the gagging issue. Due to one clear body memory, I now know why I have those particular problems. I don't have any good advice for how to deal with it, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

 

[Rainydaiz]

Thank you Chava. I'm starting to work with my t on this, though these memories and flashbacks are fairly new to me. She has suggested EMDR and bodywork , though I would have to see a different t for EMDR and I don't want to leave my t. I tried my usual grounding technique this morning whilst brushing my teeth with no success but willing to try others. I think I'm making a vicious cycle of it- expecting it to be bad so getting anxious beforehand and I need to break the cycle. Thanks for replying - much appreciated. :-)

 

[Rainydaiz]

Thank you Jobriel, it does always help to know I am not alone in this. I'm pretty phobic of being sick and others being sick and I'm scared I know why now. Though I don't want to think it. And I don't want to have to go through that. Beginning to see why denial and repression were a good thing. I hope there's an end in sight, especially with this one. Thanks for replying. Much appreciated. :-)

 

[Summer Ava]

For a few months, I had gagging almost every night while I slept. I would wake up panicked and scared because I thought I was going to choke from it. It was awful.

 

[Rainydaiz]

Thanks for replying Summer Ava. That sounds horrible. Do you know why it stopped? My symptoms seem to come and go and I've no idea why. Thanks again.

 

[Ocean5]

Gagging...every time I would try to brush teeth, or even chew gum. To the point I'd throw-up.

I don't know if ptsd, or side effects of medicine I was on (I think medicine.)

I feel for you.... If it helps it did go away.

 

[Rainydaiz]

Thank you Ocean5. Yes that does help knowing it went away for you. I'm glad it did. It's horrible. Thanks for replying.

 

[light rain]

I have a problem with it Rainydaiz. For me it's part of a body memory of abuse. I get it sometimes from brushing my teeth, and it's really bad with dental check ups for me. For me it's also associated with a whole bunch of feelings related to abuse - it's not simple. Hope your return to work was good. Take care.