I'm never hungry & seeing/smelling food makes me sick

[TheCheeseLady]

I used to always love food. I never had a problem with it. I'll admit that I was and still am a picky eater, but for the past 6-7 years, I've never really been hungry. I seemed to have forgotten what hunger feels like.

I have no problem with my wieght or with the way I look. I'm active because I play sports year round. I'm currently 17 years old and this never being hungry thing tends to get in the way of many activities. Being that most people my age enjoy going out to eat or pigging out at a friends house, it poses many problems for me.

I can't eat big meals at one sitting, and I must force myself to eat small snacky stuff. Some times throughout the day, if I see or smell food, it can make me sick to my stomach. I've been to the doctor concerning the stomach issues, but the only thing they came up with was that I had a little more acid in my stomach than normal. That wasn't what was making me not hungry though.

I went to a psychologist just to see if it was something to do with, well...me. But nothing came out of it. It is quite frustrating to deal with and nobody seems to understand. Some people even take it as rude when I don't eat. I guess I could live with the eating snacky stuff throughout the day thing, but my biggest concern is me being sick to my stomach most of the time.

I feel sick every morning. The sickness usually tapers off by the afternoon. Some people I've talked to said to try to eat breakfast, since I never do/can. I've tried to force myself, but it jsut seems to make matters worse. Are there any people out there with some of the same symptoms? Are there anyways to stop myself from feeling nauseous?

[uclabruins310]

Hello anyone that reads, I suffer from the exact same problems as the original poster. My nausea lasts all morning and usually tapers off mid afternoon/evening. This has persisted for me about 3 years now, around when I turned 18. I know for a fact that it is caused by my anxiety and/or depression. It may not be what everyone wants to hear, but living in CA, I had the opportunity to try medical cannabis and it is by far the only "cure" to my "ailment." It gives me an appetite well suited for maintaining at least a semi-healthy diet (2 meals a day.) And although I'm not able to make any significant weight gains, my weight loss has ceased. If you are like me, and have tried every other option to just be able to eat one bite of food to no avail, then I suggest you do some research on the benefits cannabis may be able to provide you. However, it is not for everyone, only you can be the judge of that. I will say, despite what many think, I use medical cannabis daily and still lead a very normal life. I attend class on a everyday basis as well as work 20 odd hours a week. I will also say that the owner of the cannabis club I go to is the sweetest 65 year old lady who also happens to be a grandmother. So to finish, please dont be turned off by the lore, of well....smoking weed (in its simplest terms lol.) If used responsibly as a medicine, cannabis could change your life for the better, and if your like me and have tried everything else then you really have nothing to lose.

[Blessedtolive]

Hello all, I have read a lot of your posts. I have always had this problem from birth. I have been told the flap in my throat doesn't close properly and it will allow stomach acid to rise and make me nauseous. Now this was something to be healed by around 5yrs old that didn't happen now I am in my 30's it happens always and doctors have no reasons I don't eat much I do set an alarm to make sure I eat (this allows my body to know I will have to eat even if I know I will vomit, but it makes things more acceptable) for me. All food makes me sick and after I had my second child I did become allergic to pork (swells me up to the point I need a shot).
Good thing I have found to help with the nausea and vomiting is Slippery Elm lozenge. I can get them from a whole foods store, they are also made into a pill form an yes those work very well. What most people forget is that your digestion begain by chewing your food so in your mouth even before you swallow. The slippery elm lozenge coats u from your mouth down, if you take the pill form with it this allows for you to eat and not vomit like normal. It may not be for everyone but it is worth a try to be able to get the nutrients we need for our body's.
I know your thinking the smells of food make you sick also, I understand I am there too. It sometimes helps to sit with a fan behind you allowing for the food smells to be pushed away from your nose. I try what ever I can to be healthy and have my blood monitored so I know I can be safe and not loose my mind or ability to function.

[musicalunicorn]

I have the same thing. Four years ago, I was only eating one to two meals a day and doing a lot of exercise. It was terrible (not of my own choosing) but after a few months I got used to it. Now I hate eating, you basically have to force feed me, I won't get hungry even after not eating for two days, and the thought, smell, or sight of food makes me feel sick. After I eat I also feel like throwing up, but I don't because people will think I'm bulimic. People already think I'm anorexic and underweight, even though I weigh a normal amount because I'm still growing. People have actually chased me down and forced me to eat. After eating a "normal" amount of food my stomach hurts, it's even worth than hunger pangs, but then again, the last time I had those was four years ago. I can't even drink water, even if I'm about to pass out. No one really understands and thinks it's something in my mind, and I do have problems with self image, but this isn't it. I also get dizzy and everything turns black for as long as ten seconds when I stand up. I went for blood tests a few months ago when I felt the same way, but everything was normal, not even borderline. Is there something wrong with me? I want to stop worrying everyone around me and be healthy, but one of the last things I want to do is eat. Help!

[afellowteen]

I'm the same age and have had the same dilemma. I've been to countless doctors who just don't care, or are too senseless to understand. Anyways, with that passion aside, my moms a doc and she spoke with her stomach doctor friend. It turns out i have stress ulcers. Not sure thats what it is, but it sounds exactly the same as me. I'm on something called prilosec, you can get it at any pharmacy store. It's helped with the sick feeling and the pain but I never gained my appetite back. People like us just have to suck it up and take food like medicine. I also went to a vegetarian diet and that helped A LOT. plus people are less judgey when you don't eat because of being a Vegetarian. Hope I could help<3 best of luck.

[Lauren9588]

Well even though this post was years ago I just came across it and thought I'd voice my own personal experience. This happened to me about 3 weeks ago. I had no idea what was happening at the time but now that my appetite is back I have concluded it was major anxiety. I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder... I'm especially afraid of getting sick to my stomach. Last month my fiance caught a horrible case of the stomach flu and I became so anxious I was going to get it that I produced physical symptoms. I also think I was having separation anxiety at the time because after he got sick he went to Texas for a week and I had to stay home because of how bad my anxiety got. This made my anxiety even worse- I was not hungry one bit for about a week. I literally had to force food down and the nausea was so bad! One day all I ate was 2 pieces of cheese and some ham. However, once my fiance came home and I realized I never physically got sick to my stomach I was able to eat a little more. Little by little my appetite came back in full force and I was able to feel hungry again! My anxiety was and still is bad... I know I need to get it under control because to have to worry about dealing with that again is no fun! However, from what I learned this year of dealing with the worst anxiety I've ever had is that time heals all and nothing bad ever happens... I am trying to live more positively and keep myself productive and healthy! This truly helps :)

[TabithaTheAnimeGirl]

Yes, I get these too...I'm not sure why though. I'm 14 and this happens a lot, I make/get food, but I can't get myself to eat it. My stomach acts up when I even think of food. The only things is I do eat breakfast at school, but then again, the school's food isn't very good.

I've been thinking it might have something to do with me because I've been trying to lose weight (cause at the beginning of the year I was only about 110 now I'm at 125.5, when I've been trying to get down to at least 100)
By saying "something to do with me" I mean like my mind. Could it have something to do with me trying to lose weight? Maybe I'm becoming anorexic?

I've been lonely lately too...Also a lot of stress has been bothering me. Could it maybe have something to do with me feeling guilty with myself? (There's a really cute boy in my grade and I'm to shy to talk to him...But that's another story.)