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gagging attacks, starts to dry heave

My husband suffers from gagging attacks, and then he starts to dry heave and/or choke and cough.   It's not accompinied by nause however he will gag so hard that he will vomit up some phlem.  This happens every day, some times several times a day, every time he takes a shower, once in a while while he is sleeping, some times in the morning, some times in the evening, some times outside, some times inside, while he is driving.  In other words I happens just about any time.  Does not weem to be related to eating, what he eats, what time he eats, or how much he eats.

He has been doing this for 5 years.  He has had an upper GI, X-rays, blood work, been on Prilosec, gargles salt water.  And still he does this every day.  It last for any where from 1 minute to 3 minutes.  The ear, nose and mouth specielist say there is no anotomical reason for this to be happening.  The Prilosec have no effect on the severity or the frequency of the gagging and dry heaving.

Any ideas where to go or what to do?
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Avatar universal
I have this exact same issue.  Ended up being overactive vagus nerve.  Put me on propanol.  Blood pressure med...It worked.  Had problem for 3 years an 20 hospital stays. Happened after a bowel movement for me.  Horrible experience.  Please listen...Take propanol. Get enough sleep and hydrate!.  Good luck everyone
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Avatar universal
I started experiencing the "MGR" in the morning and periodically at other times, as well. What this (blasaudioprod) gentleman above described is invaluable information and can be applied to any mystery symptom in the physical body --many of which are indeed connected to anxiety or high stress (and can cause further anxiety, of course).

The mind is so much more powerful than we could ever imagine it to be...

There is one thing I started doing each morning that made a huge difference: moments after waking up, I sit up and take a few minutes to meditate instead of jumping up to start the day in a hurry like I usually would. Just taking a few minutes to relax the body, breathe gently, and clear the 'morning mind fog' will have other benefits as well. This can also be done right away if you feel a gag attack coming on at any time (taking slow deep breaths from the belly and inhaling through nose, and upon exhaling feel the entire body relax). Gentle morning stretches work wonders too.

I also enjoy my morning coffee with honey which soothes any throat irritation and has marvelous benefits. Green tea is also great with honey (green tea contains L-theanine which has anti-anxiety and calming effects too.)

Peace & Blessings ~


11:11

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Avatar universal
I deal with the same issue just the other day i bought a lindt 85% coca candy bar now i cant say its helping for sure but it seemed to calm my stomach i still felt bloated. Rolaids and gas x have little help. I felt bloated this morning i put my belly on the edge of the counter trying to force myself to either force the gaging to get it over with or hopefully burp. I got a couple burps out so i ate a peice of coca with 3 rolaids i still felt bloated eventually i felt hungry.
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Avatar universal
My good people, as a male in the 'senior' years, I can attest to many years of this ridiculous phenomenon causing me many a gag sessions.  The regular events that EVERYONE here described is exactly the same.  I also have had these 'eposodes ' become more and more frequent over the years. We need to name it ourselves and then deal with it from there!
I will call it the 'Mystery Gag Reflex'.  It comes and goes as see's fit.  It is not of the physical nature, therefore, doctors will never be able to deal with it nor understand it's impact on us (unless THEY are one of us)!
Yes it can cause you so much emotional worry or pain (you worry, what if it occurs in public, or at work, or at a movie theatre, or again, as you drive)...and bingo! it sure will.  THAT you can count on. Driving under the influence of the Mystery Gag Reflex, is not a safe thing!
So I've learned how to better deal with it!!! Until someone comes up with a better cure, I suggest my simple method - carry a packet of small mints or gun to stop it cold.
Your head is playing with you and you can return the favor, by allowing the introduction of you no longer being able to 'pull a mind-over-matter' on yourself.  I believe if you can't find any physical explanation, it then needs to be addressed as a mental disorder.  Not something major, just something that YOU can tweak yourself. Again 'MGR' is controllable.
The mind is a amazing thought center that God gave us, but we have to realize it is in our thinking, that we control it or it will continue to control us.
I humbly hope this insight may help you on your journey of life!
Peace,
Joe Blasingame


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Avatar universal
I'v had this Retching / Gagging thing for years,, I'm 50 & have no worries ,,  I just gag & retch for no reason,,  just talking with friends, walking along the street, Brushing my teeth,,, bad smells can set me off,, as well as seeing things like a child's runny nose, or some ones spit or sick on the street,,,, if I put a scarf around my neck,, the Dentist can't work on me without Meds,, even when he's just looking !!! I've been told I need something called  C,B,T
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1 Comments
hey found somthing with months of research going to show doctors today... look up Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Avatar universal
OMG! I am a 59 year old female. I recently have been having the same issues. I wake in the morning and have that gagging reflex. I have been to my dentist, GP, and an ENT. Scan done on sinus. All OK...I am a server and it gets worse at the end of my shift. If I start to think about things that would normally make me vomit, I then vomit. Last night I returned home had some water and 2 minutes later vomited. It has been about 2 years now and my dr. states that it could be my meds, but I have been on the same meds years before this started. I did have a molar removed about that time, but do not know if that is causing this issue. I HATE IT. I want my normal life back.
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Avatar universal
I also have had these same problems since 2012. And eating was very painful for me. I lost 30 pounds in three and a half months. The doctors have all told me it stress. This was hard for me to accept because I don't feel stressed. I have a stressful job, but I love it. I've been through the tests - EGD, ultrasound, colonoscopy, stool sample, and they found nothing. They gave me 25 mg Ativan to take before bed. My dry heaving and gagging and throwing up foamy stuff was happening every single morning for hours. The Ativan did help a bit I think, but not all the time. The doctors think I somehow stress myself out in my sleep overnight so I would wake up at 3-4 am and dry heave and throw up bile.
I hate to provide this as "advice", but my boyfriend gave me some marijuana after almost a year of stomach hell, and that actually helped a great deal... I could actually function in the mornings.  I was afraid of the impact on my respiratory system, so I began to vaporize it. I told my doctor, and she did not say anything negative or tell me to stop. She just asked about my symptoms and how it was helping. I pray that they legalize marijuana for medical purposes in my state. It has been the only thing that allows me to lead a normal life.
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Avatar universal
so what can we do about it?
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Avatar universal
I ran into this topic some time back while looking for answers to the same condition. My symptoms developed back when I was in high school. I would wake up in the mornings and feel nauseous and dry heave for 5-10 minutes and would end up throwing up yellow bile. The nauseous feeling would disappear after throwing up, but I would sometimes experience gagging attacks or slight nausea throughout the day. I’ve gone to various doctors for the past 8 years and none had an answer to what was causing it. I’ve had two EGDs done and have taken various GERD medication, none which helped relieve the symptoms.

I believe this issue is caused by stress/anxiety. During stressful situations and when my anxiety was higher than usually, these symptoms would get exponentially worse. I was prescribed Xanax about a year ago to get through the days where I would feel extremely anxious and as a result end up gagging all day. Unfortunately, it did not provide any relief.

It wasn’t until recently that my symptoms have all but disappeared. What helped me was that I was prescribed Zoloft about two months ago. Since then my gagging, dry heaving, nausea and need to vomit in the mornings have gone away.

I endured this for over 8 years and I can relate how difficult life can get feeling this way. I hope this information can help some of you who continue to experience similar symptoms.
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Avatar universal
I wasn't looking for this, but maybe I can help some of you. 1. I know someone who would wake up with panic attacks, frequently. Turns out she had asthma. Not being able to breathe made her wake up in a panic. The doctor gave her and inhaler. Each case is different, so see your doctor or a good allergist to get checked for asthma. By the way, this was caused by one of the drugs she was taking. She stopped that drug. 2. For anxiety, research magnesium. I understand that 70% of all Americans are deficient in magnesium and magnesium works in many functions of the body and can even affect anxiety and muscle tension. I also heard, but don't know if this is true that the drug Atarax can deplete the body of magnesium. 3. For those of you who are new here, like me, and want the answer to the original poster's question, she kindly later posted that because her husband had to be treated for a terrible accident the medical people were able to give diagnosis of "tertiary" something which causes the esophagus not to let fluids go down properly. (Sorry I'm too sick to go back to look. I never get sick, but I let myself get run down and dehydrated and haven't been taking my special supplements like I should. Reminder: take care of yourselves.) 3. For the poster "ugghhhh," it's great that your bloodwork is normal. You can still get low blood sugar, though. It sounds like it happens when it's almost meal time or when you've exercised or when you wake up. Perhaps, you should eat try to eat the same food, but don't eat it all at your meals. Split your meals a bit, so you have some left for snacks. Skip the dried fruit. The best thing is to snack on almonds before you get to the point where it's almost meal time and you're hungry. That's too late. Have a small snack, including protein, before bed. Try a graham cracker covered with peanut butter and a glass of milk. Don't work out on an empty stomach. Maybe you could have an apple and some peanut butter or a banana and peanut butter a little while before you start. Then make sure you have some protein right afterwards. That will probably build muscle, too. 4. Every one, please remember I am not a doctor, so double check what I've said.
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Avatar universal
I have a similar problem!  Maybe different though...  Im 27yo male. Been gagging/dry heaving for years. I get the gags first thing in the morning.  It seems like if I eat something they go away immediately. But then they return at seemingly random times throughout the day. Mainly just before my midmorning snack, before lunch, after work when im headed home or on an errand just before dinner.  Also after hitting the gym or sports. Sometimes my mouth gets dry or my siliva is still there but I feel cottonmouth at the same time. It comes on VERY suddenly, almost out of nowhere.   I start deserpately trying to get some saliva flowing in my mouth, but it turns to gags/dry heaves/phlegm. My heart starts racing, maybe because Im in a panic state.  When I feel it comeing on, I am not able to talk or even get food. It paralizes me in my tracks. Water helps wet my whistle but sometimes I end up puking it up.

I can link it to when I'm hungry, or soon to be hungry.  I thought it may actually be due to low blood sugar. But I had all the bloodwork and urine done a few years back. all was normal.  The Dr gave me a glucose meter to track my sugar and it was never high and actually averaged fairly low.

My current diet is clean as a whistle.  I eat primarily Paleo diet which is supposed to keep blood sugar on an even keel, but I still have attacks a few times a week.  I take probiotics, raw vinegar, gave up soy, peanuts, all grains, dairy, and alcohol. I focus on anti-inflammatory foods.

I just make sure I have some dried fruit or nuts or something in my car, at work, and usually in my pocket or backpack.  I work out regularly and take care good of myself, but this condition forces me into eating even when im not truely hungry.  

As a result of between meal snacking, I am about 30lbs heavier than id like to be. With the amount of exercise and quality of food I eat, I should have a body like a God. It affects my spontaneity... like I cant just pickup and go somewhere without first preparing a meal or wait 20 mins for lunch break.  It turns into an emergency!  And I know better than to go anywhere unfed.  

I have another theory too.  It seems to occur when I drink coffee in the morning as well.  When its mealtime, the attack comes on much faster.   I think my stomach is either sensitive or creates too much acid.  I was a heavy drinker in mu earlier years.  I also have severe chronic back pain for which I used to take NSAIDS.  I also had a quack doctor putvme on strong antibiotics for acne and let me take them for years.  I also used to smoke and chew. I was getting severe heartburn and ulcers so I gave it all up.

But here I am am years later, still having the issue.  I think the low sugar sparks an increases in stomach acid which makes me sick!  Maybe I did some permament damage to my GI tract? Type I and II diabetes run in my family...

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Avatar universal
been researching my problem all day and this is the best advice so far.  thanks Dawn!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I get the same thing (gagging), but also my body starts to feel like it's icy and burning at the same time. I have never checked if I have Gerd. I though it was due to hormones,  or migraines being brought on by hormones. Have you found any answers?

Laurie
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Avatar universal
I am terrified after reading this thread. In the last 11 month I have developed a severe gagging problem. Every morning, with no acceptation, I gag. As soon as I wake up, when I stand up, when I go to brush my teeth, when I am driving to work, the gags just keep on coming. It feels as if the upper roof of my mouth and the back of my throat closed up. I clench my teeth, almost unable to open my mouth, and as soon as I try to take a breath, the gaging sensation gets worse. I am so tired of this. I do not think It has anything to do with anxiety. But just a couple of things about me:
1. I do not take any meds or do any drugs
2. I am on birth control (the nuva ring)
3. I am a heavy smoker
4. I am 29 years old
The gaging did start when I got on birth control, I am guessing the smoking is not helping. I did try to stay of the birth control for 3 moth, but the gaging never went away. My doctor told me that I should look in the “the Globus Syndrome” but so fat I have not found to many similarities. Please advise, this is just a nightmare.
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Avatar universal
I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder for 14 years now. It has been disabling for 8 years now. I have not worked for 8 years because of it. I am NOT on any medication for it, as I am very sensitive. So, when I get the attacks, I get them hard. No way to live, but I continue to fight the fight, will never give up.
When my allergies get really bad, or the air gets really stagnant and humidity is over the top, I get those problems with gagging, to the point I go into a full blown panic.
Something that I have found over the years that has helped me, and this is going to sound weird, is Chicken Broth. No salt added Chicken Broth. Warm it up and try sipping on it. It's not the best tasting thing in the world, but it sure works. When we go into anxiety our blood sugar can go haywire, amongst everything else.
The Broth sooths the esophagus area, and is easy on the stomach. My Mom gave me the idea some years ago when I was nervous going on a date. It works well if you are dehydrated too, which can cause a lot of anxiety in people.
Hope this somewhat helps.
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Avatar universal
I have this same problem as everybody here..Had it for years and suffer the same exact way as everybody..Especially when i brush my teeth..

BUT i have good news,or at least a way to cut this problem down..

When you feel the attack coming,breath in through your nose as deep as you can..Then exhale through your mouth..You may need to do this a couple times but it helps me totally..I do this just seconds before brushing my teeth and it helps..Hope this works for everyone..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this same problem as everybody here..Had it for years and suffer the same exact way as everybody..Especially when i brush my teeth..

BUT i have good news,or at least a way to cut this problem down..

When you feel the attack coming,breath in through your nose as deep as you can..Then exhale through your mouth..You may need to do this a couple times but it helps me totally..I do this just seconds before brushing my teeth and it helps..Hope this works for everyone..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone I'm Victoria and I'm 20 yrs old. I've also had this, but not because I was nervous or had stress. I guess you can say it a little different. Like let's say I can't clean up dog poop it makes me gag and I'll gag till I dry heave. And it feels like it hurts my actual stomach and it bulges. And I can't breath and I'm in so much pain for like 1 minute or more. And then I like everything so black and my eyes feel like there gonna explode.. Other examples would be, when brushing my teeth I'd love to brush my tongue but I can't  the same  thing happens to me, and when something or someone smells to the extreme I can't handle it. So I don't know if that is what we're talking about. Cuz I don't think I don't find that normal.
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Avatar universal
I too have a gagging problem in the morning.It has been around 15 months since this has started.Initially it was just in the mornings and later throughout the day.I met an endologist and he told me to undergo an endoscopy.After the endoscopy he told me that i had a swollen muscle in my stomach and that is the reason behind the gagging.He gave me some medicines and i felt better.However when i went to meet  him a few months after the endoscopy he now tells me that there is a hole in the diaphragm that has gotten slightly bigger and that is the reason of gagging.I told him that i gag if i am put under some sudden stress and just a few times in the morning and not otherwise.He told me that when there is stress, certain chemicals increase in the blood stream causing the diaphragm hole to become bigger and cause the gag and possible vomiting.I have followed his medication and the only times i gag now are:
1) 1-2 times while brushing in the morning
2) Trying to eat dry food or food i dont like.
3) when i am put under mental stress.

During my normal college days when i am living a carefree life i can even stop my medicines and still prevent gagging as my main reason is the psychological aspect and not physical.
Hope this helps!
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Avatar universal
I have been gaging for 25 years. Just about every morning like clock work.  I've been to Doctors They have looked at everything. Nothing found. I have tried every script, even Medical Cannabis.
The only thing that stopped me from gaging for a 4 year period was Xanax. While I was on this I did not gag one time!!!! As soon as my doctor took me off. Boom, here we go again.  I am so sick and tired of this gaging.  I do have PTSD, Anxiety, Bi-polar...  So, This has a lot to do with it.....  But, I have seen a lot of doctors and not one of them can pin point this....   It really ***** and puts a big damper on life..
But, i want to ask for you that do gag. See i can tell the night before how my body feels that i will gag in the morning. Does this happen to any of you? oh ya, I even have listen to zen relaxation music. Sometimes this helps but not too often...  If any one come up with something that stops this. please let us know..  and no i do not drink..
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Avatar universal
The gagging issue started when I was diagnosed with GERD in 2011.  Aside from the heartburn, I had persistent nausea and gag reflexes every day.  The medication that my doctor prescribed me (Nexium), did nothing to resolve those two symptoms.  I had a few tests done (barium swallow & ultrasound) but results showed that everything was normal (swallowing was fine, stomach lining was fine, no ulcers and etc.).  I got tested for H.pylori but it turned out negative as well.  To this day, I still get nausea along with the gagging (sometimes it leads to dry heaving) 1 or 2 times a day.  By now, I've developed a slight fear of eating (especially out in public) due to these symptoms.  My doctor prescribed me some anti-depressants, saying that it is due to anxiety / stress.  The anti-depressants did nothing to make these symptoms go away either.  I have stopped them completely now.

What I do to "cope" with these symptoms are the following and I hope it will work for all of you as well:

- Drink ginger or chamomile tea (it will calm the stomach and help with anxiety-related issues)
- Nibble on real ginger candies (it will calm the stomach and help with digestion)
- Take slow, deep breaths when you experience the gag reflexes and try to remain calm when it happens
- Go outside (even if it's for a short period of time) to take in some fresh air.  I find that breathing in some fresh air has helped stop the gagging.
- Take a nice, long shower (as much as I hate wasting water, it will help your entire body feel better and will keep your mind off from the symptoms)

I hope the advice above would help some of you.  It's not a cure, of course.  But it will help you cope with it a little better.  

All the best
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Avatar universal
I've been having this problem since 2011. I wouldn't gag every morning but once every few months I would have a violent gag attack. It is so bad it really keeps me from doing the things I have to do. I feel like my doctor or my family don't understand what I am going through. It is painful to feel like you have to vomit but nothing comes up. My nurse practitioner told me that it could be acid reflux. She suggested I use Zantac and a liquid Antacid everyday. It helps somewhat but it doesn't completely get rid of the problem. I would also like to mention that this problem started when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and had to use a CPAP. I was told that the excess air from the CPAP (I'm at a high CPAP pressure) was also contributing to my problems.
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Avatar universal
Does anyone else have a problem with a sensitive neck? I have a problem with wearing anything even remotely tight around my neck. I have noticed that just to the right and left of center can be very sensitive and cause gagging as well as the tight collars.
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Avatar universal
I've had this problem since I was about 18 and I am 27 now every morning like clockwork I dry heave for at least 15-30 mins, but during certain seasons it worsens or gets better usually in the winter its the worst for me. I wake up no dry heaving for the 1st hour and then like a whirlwind from no where, I start hacking, yaking, throwing up phlegm etc...I have had asthma since I was born so I thought that could be a factor but the fact my asthmatic lungs have improved over time and since a lot of you have the same problem without the asthma I guess I can throw that conclusion out the window. I dont suffer from anxiety, but when it starts up I get extremely frustrated I tried everything from showers, gargling, brushing teeth to chugging water. After I chug water though it does something and makes me throw up a huge glob of clear mucus (Its gross I know) and it looks like a gigantic loogie is falling out of my mouth, but after that it will stop so I think excess mucus could be a factor I also smoke Marijuana, Now many of you may think that MJ could be a cause but in fact it makes it stop I could be in the middle of a hacking episode and take a couple puffs and it stops completely for the rest of the day. I also saw someone say booze helps Idk if that does but I know for sure MJ helps with mine but I just wish it was non existent. But I do find some solace in knowing I'm not the only one suffering from this mysterious affliction
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