gagging and dry heaving

[gigimi2]

Recently I have been experiencing involuntary gagging, which at times becomes so violent that I actually throw up. Sometimes it happens while I am smoking or drinking coffee and, others times the urge to gag is unprovoked. Initially I thought it was due to my smoking or perhaps drinking coffee on an empty stomach, but once it started to happen without those factors I became concerned. I am twenty four, and I am not pregnant, but my appetite is very unhealthy. I don't try to diet or starve myself but it is very common for me to go the whole day without eating, and sometimes when I do finally eat I get so full that I start gagging after I eat and sometimes during. Is it possible that my smoking and bad eating habits are the cause of my gagging or should I consider the fact that I may have throat/stomach cancer? Am I being a hypochondriac?

[Sheralyn]

Mistake - it was the antidepressant triavil, which is part elavil.

[Sheralyn]

I had the same problem so badly, I was put on an antidepressant (elavil) which stopped the gagging and dry heaving immediately.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

although it is most probably related to your bad habits, and becoming anxious in the midst of eating,smoking or drinking, you should probably have your doctor exam you.  It is not a symptom of stomach cancer, but may involve your throat in some way.