constant swallowing

drinaldi · Post by **drinaldi** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:26 pm

I was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this weird symptom I have since starting with anxiety four months ago. I have to constantly swallow. It is so annoying and drives me crazy. I have had a throat ct done - there appears to be nothing wrong physically and I don't believe I do it in mu sleep so it probably is related to my anxiety problems. Some days it is worse than others - I swallow once a minute other times it is not as bad. I try not to think about it because if I let my mind dwell on it it gets worse. Of course I am afraid that it will never go away and to tell you the truth It drives me crazy. I havae heard of other people who seem to have a hard time swallowing and feel like they can't swallow but not of anyone who swallows all the time like me. It knd of scary. My doctors have said they have never heard of anyone with this problem before. If there is someoneout there who has experience dthis please let me know

Debbe

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 4:17 am

Hi Debbe,

I have the same problem. My swallowing comes at night when I want to try and sleep. I keep swallowing when I first lay down and when I wake up during the night which is every night and then I can't go back to sleep once I wake up. It's worse if I have a cold. Guess I didn't think this maybe was part of anxiety. I wish I could get over all of these symptoms. They all drive me crazy. I have an appointment to see a therapist the end of this month. First time doing this. I just need to get these negative thoughts out of mind. I am going to mention this problem too. You are not the only one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:10 am

This is definitely related to anxiety. No, your MD wouldn't know anything about this but a good therapist will.

Trying not to focus on something is the same as focusing on it. You need to welcome this in as you would any annoying obsessive situation. You may even feel a lump sensation. This is just tight muscles. Nothing serious. It is a sensation only and nothing more.

Use your calm breath. Tell yourself that it is perfectly all right to swallow all the time so swallow, swallow, swallow. If you make it all right you will notice a decrease and eventually it will not be an issue at all.

Again, use your breath and then keep your attention on what you are doing outside of yourself as best you can.

1. It's OK to swallow all the time.
2. I am safe.
3. I embrace this part of me.
4. I need nuturing from me not judgment.
5. Write down 10 wonderful things about swallowing all the time.
6. When you notice this behaviour just say, "Oh, there you are. I've been expecting you."
7. I can still function even while swallowing all the time.
8. Prefer it to be gone. Do not demand that it go away. "I would prefer not to do this, but since this is what I do right now, I can handle it."
9. Stop fighting and open your arms up to it.

lizzie. · Post by **lizzie.** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:22 am

I agree with boon...great information there.

Just like anxiety is a bad "nervous" habit so is your swallowing. Some people crack their knuckles some chew thier hair whatever it is its not harmfull its just a nervous twitch....something to do to distract you from the other thoughts anxiety is causing.....I bet when its happening its the ONLY thing you think about.

So use some distraction techniques.....some music on in the backround with words to listen to....chew gum to keep your mouth busy. And most importantly work you skills from the program...start your positive self talk instead of saying I hate this why is this happening whats wrong with me....do its ok its not a big deal...theres nothing medically wrong Ill be just fine.

All this is, is a bad habit. The good news is you can fix that. Alls you need is to really work your lessons from the program and use the distractions to clear your focus on this.

Dodger

GE · Post by GE » Mon May 05, 2008 5:24 am

Thanks Boon for all your advice. I need to practice more on the program. I have had the lump sensation too. Especially on the weekends when we go out of town. I have a problem with social skills and start thinking about having to socialize and I get real anxious and have this lump in my throat. I keep going back and forth about seeing this therapist (which I haven't seen one for 20 years or more). I know I want to keep the appointment yet I don't want to deal with this either. I haven't cancelled yet. It really helps to hear what others have to say on this website.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:33 am

Thanks Dodger for your advice too! I will try the gum chewing approach. I listen to music and then I seem to get depressed. I tend to think about negative things. So today I have the radio off.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:23 am

Avoidance is really the disease. We fear feeling the anxiety. Keep your appointment with your therapist and deal with the anxiety involved in healing. It's temporary. Use your tools to handle. When you avoid you get to keep your fear another day.

You can do this.

jaimek · Post by **jaimek** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:19 pm

I have had that in the past and it can drive you nuts! I go to a Traditional Chinese Doctor for accupuncture and herbs and that helps me a lot. He said the swallowing is aniexty. That the throat muscles are not relaxed. After a session of accupuncture it ends. Just knowing I'm going to see him makes me feel better and takes the edge off of this problem.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:41 pm

I've had the exact same problem before.... it's the oddest feeling.

I can hardly swallow a crushed up vitamin, cuz my throat pulls and tugs, like it needs to work harder to get it down, when it really doesn't.

I try to take some deep breaths and stop thinking about it... and it usually goes away.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:16 am

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's encouraging to know that I am not the only one struggling with this. I will certainly take your advise. I know that this will pass.

Debbe