My 7-year-old won't swallow solid foods anymore - HELP!

[mvkmako24]

My son stopped eating solid foods a couple of weeks ago. The doctor checked out his throat and nothing appeared to be wrong. He also has not had any traumatic incidents happen that we are aware of that might trigger this reaction. It began a few weeks ago, he would spit out food occasionally at a meal...this would get worse and he would spit out several times. 2 weeks ago he came home from school without any lunch eaten, this is when I decided to take him to the doctor...strep test was negative, and he doesn't complain of throat pain. He did say it felt like phlegm was in his throat, so we tried Zyrtec in case it was allergies (which he has never been diagnosed with), but the Zyrtec didn't help either. The first few days of this, he would eat certain solid foods, like Cheerios or Goldfish...he has since stopped eating these as well :( He managed to pretty normally chew and swallow an Oreo cookie a few days ago. He is now being treated for possible reflux issues with Prilosec and Pepcid, but I have not seen any changes. If he tries solid food, he visibly chews and chews  the food until it is liquid, but then has to still spit it out, can't swallow even though it's liquid!? I know he isn't trying this, and doesn't want to deal with this...he has said, "I feel stupid," and "I hate food." It is heart breaking to see :( He is living off of yogurt pops, Pedisure, and milk...I am SO worried about him!

Please let me know if anyone has experienced this with their child...thank you!

[Paxiled]

You know, you keep mentioning dairy.  Dairy and wheat are the two most problematic foods (with soy the third).  Have you tried taking him off dairy?  In natural medicine, the first thing to try whenever there are digestive or eating issues especially with children is to stop dairy and wheat and see if it goes away -- very often it does and it's easy to do because there are no side effects.  Those drugs, when taken long-term, cause a rebound effect where acid actually gets worse because the stomach must make more acid while the drugs are suppressing it in order to digest minerals and protein.  It gets into a cycle much like taking antibiotics do.  I'd also ask, did he take antibiotics?  They kill off beneficial flora, and they're necessary for digestion.  I guess what I'm saying is, it seems as if your doctors have started at the end, which is the drugs and invasive procedures, instead of trying the simple first.  The above advice to see a dietician I'd ignore, as dieticians know nothing about food (they're the ones who design cafeteria and hospital menus, and every study shows these will kill you), but a holistic nutritionist will have a better sense of the whole body and the things that can be a problem short of pouring on drugs and tests.  The obvious psychological indications are there as well.  All these are also part of looking at the physical.  As to trauma, some people just don't talk about things, and children are even less likely to because they might not even know something bothered them.  They just know they're bothered.  I can remember a couple of times in the olden days before drugs were the omnipresent answer for doctors when my doctor would talk to me, tell me everything was normal, and I was immediately better knowing that.  Doctors just don't often do that anymore.  But whatever happens, I hope it all ends well and soon.  Peace.

[mvkmako24]

I do agree that at this point its at least part psychological...he commented that he "hates food" only b/c he was so frustrated and upset that he couldn't swallow it. He loves food and is so sad that he can't eat...like a grilled cheese.

Im calling first thing Monday to get an appointment with a specialist for testing. Also getting in with the school psychologist...someone has got to be able to help him! Crossing fingers its very, very soon...

[Austin1suzuki]

So I'm a 3rd year nutrition student and from the comment that he hates food and so on I must agree that I to think it may be psychological issue. Talk with you Dr about this. And please stop with all the meds till he is seen by a dietitian.. They are the person that needs to deal with food related issues not medical Dr. I hope he gets better!

[mvkmako24]

He has complained that his stomach aches a few times, but I'm guessing its b/c he's hungry for substantial food. The doctor did describe another type of reflux that doesn't create the burning sensation, but rather makes you feel something is stuck in your throat... the meds are only to be tried for a week in case its reflux. Just to see if it helps before we try other invasive routes...I'm sure he will be sent to a specialist next week for more testing (swallow test, etc). He did complain that it feels like phlegm is stuck in his throat...

There is a child psychologist at his school that his teacher has contacted. We are trying to figure out if its physical first...to me, it does seem at least part psychological at this point. If it is, I have NO idea what could have spurred this on...he seems like a happy kid, loves school, etc...nothing traumatic has happened in our lives that I can see triggering thus as a result of stress/anxiety. I think even if its physical, he will have to also deal with the mental stress of having to swallow again without being scared to do so...

Its a catch 22...the only way he can get real nutrients is from Pediasure :(

[Paxiled]

I don't understand the treatment -- does he complain of stomach discomfort?  Because he's being put on drugs that can be harmful long-term to digestion but you don't say he's suffering any discomfort other than a feeling of throat congestion.  That leads me to think it's not the food, it's something psychological.  Have you had him talk to any kind of child therapist to see?  When you have reflux you know it, it produces painful feelings in the upper chest from poor digestion.  He's also eating a lot of dairy, which is the single most common source of digestive problems.  So again, I'm wondering here if doctors are piling on drugs and treatments that might have nothing at all to do with what you're reporting he's feeling.

[gymdandee]

Has he been seen by a pediatric gastro doctor?