7-year-old son won't swallow solid foods

[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!

[mvkmako24]

I wanted to update everyone on my son's and our experience b/c I have had several people email me and ask...this is obviously (and sadly) a pretty common problem! Please read our experience, I hope it helps you, and feel free to send me a personal message, if you want more details or advice!...

My son at first got treated for possible reflux with meds, but they didn't seem to help. Then the doctor decided to try for allergies b/c that can create a lump in the throat or uncomfortable sensation as well, it can scare kids, then it creates a fear and snowballs out of control where they can't swallow. Well, those meds didn't help either :( SO, the pediatrician ordered tests through a GI doctor...my son first had a barium swallow test, which came back normal. Then he had an endoscopy, which came back normal as well...both of these tests showed that there was nothing physically wrong, and there was no inflammation from allergies or reflux. All signs pointed to the fact that this was probably mental, like an anxiety issue. We never found out how or why it started...weather it was stress from starting school (it started a week after he started 2nd grade) or something like that.

The one person that finally got him to eat solids again was a Speech Therapist that specialized in swallowing issues! He had 1 session with her and he was eating again :) So I do think maybe it was triggered by something, but then fear took over and he couldn't make himself swallow (he started with the spitting out of food, then had a few 'safe' solids he could eat before he only could eat solids). SO I would suggest that anyone with a child with the same problems to first look into finding a speech therapist in your area that has dealt with swallowing....it could eliminate the need for any of the traumatizing and expensive testing (Endoscopy)! Even if this started as reflux or allergies, they can help the child to overcome the fear and eat again. Ours was a lifesaver...my son did have a relapse after about 3 months, but we went back to her & she was able to help again. My son also saw a child psychologist for anxiety issues, but he never could determine why the issue began, and I also don't see my son as an overly stressed kid, so we didn't think that was all that helpful...but in some cases, this might be a good solution.

If I had to do it all again (and I REALLY hope we don't have to!), I would absolutely go to a Speech Therapist/Pathologist first (ours was in a pediatric GI doctor office) before any invasive tests. If the therapist can get your child to eat again, it's most likely nothing physically wrong. I guess you could also try to rule out reflux or allergies (with meds) b/c that is non-invasive as well.

Please let me know if you have any other questions...I know it's a heartbreaking thing to go through. My son lived on Pediasure shakes for over a month, they have a lot of sugar, but at least many nutrients. Good luck to all!!!

[rosebudmandi]

Thank you so much for the update, mvkmako24. My 3 year old daughter has had a swallow phobia for the past 3 weeks (after a choking incident) & is scheduled to see a swallow specialist/occupational therapist next week.  I pray this therapy will help her begin to chew & swallow solid food again. In the meantime, I've been trying some techniques I found online. I've been making mealtimes as fun as possible, initiating food play. Last night we gave each other gravy lipstick!  We've been talking about the color, texture, smell of our food & giving our food & utensils kisses and licks.  She still refuses to put food in her mouth, but, she was eating tiny spoons of gravy last night to my delight!  God bless all the moms (& families) going through this. Stay positive! Thank you again mvkmako24 for the update - it's so very encouraging to hear.

[lilypad8]

My Daughter is doing great now eating!!! You need to be patient but firm I started pushing pedia sure which began to give her an appetite and she began to eat at her own pace. My Dr also had her take liquid Vitamin D this also could have helped

[Sandyshore1]

I have been taking my son to an eating disorder clinic. He has high anxiety and he is OCD about germs. He says he has a germ in his throat and it won't let him swallow.
I am still concerned that there is something physically wrong though. I saw all these posts with similar symptoms so I just wanted to know if there were any outcomes.
My son stopped eating propaly early 2015 it was becoming a concern over the past couple of months when he choked when eatingthen about 2 weeks ago he stopped eating all together. His diet at the moment is what ever he wants mainly chocolate milk and smooth desserts like moose and custard.
He will try most things however he turns it to liquid in his mouth and spits it out.

[SoulStorm]

Thank you for sharing about your Son. Yes, my eight year old Son has been doing the same thing. He says he feels like he is going to choke and so he spits food out or simply won't eat it. He is serious and it scares me because he has lost weight but doctors see nothing wrong. He says it feels like something is in hos throat like a spider trying to crawl out when he swallows, and that makes him choke. He is particularly obsessed with a fear of spiders right now, and his Dad (doesn't live with us) showed him arachnophobia and told him some horror story about spiders crawling over us as we sleep. I'm wondering if there is something mental/emotional triggering a physical response. He is a very bright and sensitive boy who listens very well and remembers. What kind of a Dad does that to a 7 yr old!? Thanks again, Shannon

[Sandyshore1]

Hi can you please share what the outcome has been and how your got there?
Almost the same thing is going on with my son. Any help would be great.
Thanks

[lilypad8]

I have a 8 year old girl something has happened to her 1 1/2 weeks ago will only take liquids. we did have a slight choking incident but ate after. 2 weeks ago she had nitrous oxide at the dentist and freaked out wondering if anybody else has had any relation to this. We have had the swallow test all normal now referring to GI doc!! Please share any info you have