Afraid to Eat

Updated on October 22, 2012
K.L. asks from Ballwin, MO
7 answers

Hello!
My almost five year old son has, within the last week, eaten considerably less than usual. After a couples of days, he admitted that he was scared that his food "would get stuck". His dad and I are thinking that he may have had a choking scare at school or saw/heard of someone choking on their food. Since then, we have been going along with his cues- not pushing him and trying not to make a big deal about mealtimes. We have fed him soup, eggs, (basically soft foods) and a lot of liquids. However, we are beginning to get concerned because this afternoon, he felt like he had a "bubble" in his throat. I sort of know what he meant but am thinking it was because he was beginning to get upset again. Just in case it's something else, my husband and I are planning on calling our pediatrician tomorrow (for peace of mind). He has kept down liquids and no change in bowels. He did throw up/dry heaved on Friday (because of anxiety I'm thinking), but not since. Nor does he have a fever or lower than usual energy level.
Has anyone been through this? Any advice? He's an active boy and I don't want him to eat so little that he doesn't have enough energy or become malnourished. I was even thinking of those pedia- milkshakes to supplement until he feels comfortable eating solids again. Either way, we will call our doctor- but any advice or stories would help.

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C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I wonder if he had a slight allergic reaction to something? That feeling of your throat closing up, throwing up... I don't know. I think you're on the right track taking him to the doctor tomorrow. The other thing I'm thinking is it could be strep. Although it is usually accompanied by a fever and sore throat, sometimes there's no fever. One of my kids had that - she suddenly didn't want to eat a big long list of things, and it turned out she had strep throat. She had no fever.

Good luck - let us know how it turns out.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

He might have heartburn. it does hurrt.. can feel like you are choking.. and that might be his way of explaining the bubble in his throat..

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Bubble in my throat is how I described nausea for over 20 years (pregnancy did something wacky, and changed the feeling).

So it MAY also just be the stomach flu.

Which would come along with decreased appetite.

Takes up to 10-12 days to pass, though most of us are more used to the 24 hour varient... 10 days is actually more common. With vomiting typically toward the end

Occam's razor; off his feed and puking = stomach flu nearly every time.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I kind of have that same paranoia. I have never choked so I really don't know where it came from, but I usually don't go out to lunch with co-workers because I chew my food SO MANY times so I'm absolutely sure it won't get stuck and I won't choke, that it takes me a lot longer to eat than others. Thus, I don't eat as much. If you can find someone for him to talk to or some therapy, I'd go for it 'cause I'm over 50 and I've NEVER outgrown it!

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L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

I was wondering about Sinus drainage, sometimes my kids will get stuffed up and not have a runny nose but will have mucus dripping down their throats.

I"m sorry you guys are dealing with this, hope it works its self out.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

It sounds like he might be having some acid reflux.

My son went through the vomitting and not wanting to eat thing. At first, I thought he had the flu. The doctor gave him some medication and told me to keep his head elevated when he slept. It went away almost immediately. He had a pain and burning sensation in his throat that triggered his gag reflex which made him throw up.

You should definitely keep track of what he eats and when and get him in to the doctor.

My son had a very healthy appetite other than when he was going through a growth spurt. The vomitting was upsetting, to say the least. Once we found out what the problem was, he was fine.

He's 17 now. He's 6'2" and weighs 200 pounds so his issue didn't stunt his growth by any means. He doesn't have reflux anymore, but he knows not to eat certain things after a certain time of day and he functions quite well. He still gets heartburn every once in a while and takes Tums, but it's much, much better.

Talk to the pediatrician to make sure that the things you are doing to feel like he's getting nourished aren't actually making it worse.

Best wishes.

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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

I actually remember being around 8-9 years old and choking on a piece of food, well not literally choking but it was really painful having it stuck in my throat. My father, who meant well, explained the whole heimlich remover procedure to me and what would happen if it didn't work. I was so afraid of having something stuck in my throat after that, that I didn't eat anything solid for weeks. I can actually remember often leaving the room and spitting my food out in the bathroom I was so afraid to eat, and my mother didn't know what to do. I'm sorry he's going through this. I don't remember how, but I eventually just got over it. I'm betting he either saw or heard about a choking incident, maybe it was a discussion at school? I'd speak to his classroom teacher as well as the pediatrician.

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