Constant fear of choking?? :(

[Zoeb23]

Lately I've developed a problem where I'm terrified of eating, and when i do swallow it feels like food is sticking in my throat or that its going into my lungs. I never start coughing or hacking or anything, but I do feel slightly out of breath sometimes when I eat,, and it just makes me panic.
I do have an issue with phlegm constantly in the throat, so that could explain my breathing and coughing issues. Still, i always feel as if food got into my windpipe and I'm choking to death without even realising...is that even possible?? Plz help because I'm so sick of this

 

[BallOfNerves]

You would not choke without realizing it. Try to eat slower and smaller bites etc

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[Oracle42]

I had this issue a couple of years ago. The fear of a piece of food going into my lungs terrified me. I would break down into tears with food in my mouth because i was terrified of swallowing. But for one you will know when something is going through the wrong way because it will make you cough I guarantee it. What I would do is while I was chewing my food I would take a breath in and before I swallowed I would exhale and then swallow.

Just take it slow, really chew your food and be patient.

Hope this helps

 

[bakwords]

I went through this earlier in the year. It was terrible. I think it started when I swallowed something the wrong way and coughed it back up. That convinced me I was unable to swallow food normally. I have developed some sort of post nasal drip/sinus problem in the last few years that is pretty constant, and that has caused me to think all sorts of things are wrong. The combination of that and the perceived choking really had me in an awful place for a good month. Was afraid to eat, and started eating things I considered safe. The truth was, when I was relaxed and not thinking too much, I swallowed fine. And even when I was nervous, I wasn't actually choking on the food. I wish I could tell you how I got myself out of it, but I can't think of anything specific. There was a visit to the ENT, where I got an endoscopy (that I was petrified of, but turned out not as bad as my fears) that revealed sinus condition and a slight deviated septum. Also, there was plenty of therapy (as usual). In this case, though, instead of waiting for my appointments, I called for emergency appointments, and they were thankfully able to fit me in. I still have this issue with phlegm all the time and my anxiety over that (fear of stuff to do with the throat and lungs, among a ton of other worries) is an issue. Like many here, I'm a nervous wreck about my health and the reason I logged on today is because I'm in such a bad way that I had to find likeminded people to not feel alone. But, on this one particular topic, I can sympathize with you as it's not fun. But, my therapists and doctors reminded me that I was talking and breathing all those times I thought I was choking, so that's something to think about. Be well!...

 

[Phillies Phan]

We’re here for you Bak. Welcome back to the site

 

[TruthHurts]

The most you can do is make sure to chew your food well and have something to drink near you so you can wash it down when you need to. I get this way also. It seems like I take forever to eat these days.

 

[bakwords]

We’re here for you Bak. Welcome back to the site

thank you!...

 

[Doug97]

The human body has systems in place to prevent the very thing you are obsessing about. The choke reflex, the cough reflex, the gag reflex. Just trust your body knows what it's doing, let it do its thing and get on with your life.