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!

[Sandman2]

    Is this a recent development or has this always been the case.  If its recent, hopefully, it will pass.  If its always been the case then something like sensory processing disorder could be the cause.  Is he sensitive to textures, light, food tastes, sounds, etc.

[MommaOwl]

Any updates on your child's condition?  Has there been any resolution or effective treatment?

My wife and I are experiencing the exact same thing with our six year old son.  Literally the exact same symptoms and progression.  We had a barium swallow study done, which came back normal; and recently had an endoscopy that had normal results.  Still waiting on the results of the biopsy.

Has anyone had this experience, and found an effective treatment or solution?  

[Annie4969]

My 5 year old just started doing this. Will put food in his mouth and chew it a while but then have to spit it out. The only thing he'll swallow is yogurt, soy milk. I just have a gut feeling that this is psychological.what can I do to get him to eat?

[Gabygoo]

My girl is 7 years old and choked in September 2014,  but after a couple weeks went back to eating.  January 5, 2015 she stopped eating solids again.  I am writing to ask if you have resolved his eating issue because your story is almost identical to mine.   She is scared to eat, phlegm and something caught in her throat, she says.   Went on Zyrtec, omeperzol.  Nothing seems to help....  Just had an upper GI that came back normal and her endoscopy just showed thickening in the esophagus related to allergy changes.  We are still waiting on the biopsy.  I am so sad for her and she is loosing weight.  I know we need to see a feeding specialist/therapist.  Please any help would be appreciated..  

[Sandman2]

      This link might prove helpful - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1001253-clinical#a0217

[Sandman2]

      Aw, if feel for both of you.   For him because the poor little guy has no clue what or why this is happening.  And for you, because there is nothing worse then watching your own child go through this.
      I take it that even something soft like scrambled eggs won't work?
      Good luck with the specialist.   Make sure you convey to the doc that you need to get in as soon as possible.
      Please do keep us posted!