Trouble swallowing as a long term consequence of Bulemia?

I was wondering if anyone has experienced trouble with the gag/swallow reflex as a possible consequence of bulemia? It's a bizarre feeling, as once the food is in my throat, I can swallow fine. But sometimes it feels as if there is no gag reflex at all and my tongue is paralyzed. With some effort it works, but its not a reflex as it should be. It's not a consistent feeling and doesn't happen on a daily basis, but has been off and on over the past year or even more. When it happens of course I feel almost claustraphobic and get very anxious, which only makes it worse (as does a dry mouth from medication). Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I asked my psychiatrist if it could be a side effect of any medications and he said it's not. He's seen it but as a physical condition, not a side effect. He thinks I'd probably have to see an ear/nose/throat specialist.

Give it time. Are you eating soft foods mostly for now?

I haven't modified what I eat, as it isn't consistent. And I often notice it more when I am not eating or drinking - in the instances when I normally wouldn't be aware of it. I become hyper aware of the feeling and of course notice even more. So when it happens, I tend not to eat much but try to just drink. It is hard to articulate so I hope I am making sense

Google it.

I actually did and did find that GERD and other such disorders can be a result of bulemia. My sensation sounded a little different to me in that it doesn't affect actual swallowing in the throat...but I am also probably over thinking it. I did google it and learned that the gag reflex dissipates, which I knew just becuase purging becomes more difficult over time. But I didn't associate it with actual swallowing.

Best evaluation of what you are experiencing (dysphasia) would in fact be with a Speech Pathologist with specialty in Swallowing Disorders. It is very much a specialty, but a darn good and valuable one.

You can find more info at National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders -.
Good luck. Hope is there.

Corrected that auto-mispell, but it didn't come through on the edit.

Sorry. It is dysphagia of course.

I don't know about that, but my throat swells.

I do not have problems swallowing.....if I did then perhaps the bulimia would stop. I have seemed to lost my gaga reflex and purging has become a difficult task.

Hey I had a similar thing a while back. I had to really think about swallowing food and found if I didn't food would get stuck at the back of my throat. It just went away over time by itself.

Thank you That's exactly how it feels. I just have to be more aware and make sure I don't have too much food and it is ok. I did notice that is lessening with time.

I experience a gag-like reflex but I think it is caused by my dentures. I lost most of my teeth to bulimia, later pregnancy and then dry mouth caused by bi-polar meds. It has really messed me up. I feel like a freak. And always there is a little voice that says"you did this to yourself". Get it checked out. But it may be hard to come out to your MD about the bulimia. Let me know what you decide to do.

My problem swollowing with bulimia is for me, all mental. I do not binge but I purge. Sometimes it's hard for me to swallow a food that I know I don't want to eat. I have ulcers from bulimia and I don't want people to know so I eat whatever everyone else is having so then they don't suspect I have problems from bulimia.

Moxie/doxie,
I too have almost completely lost my gag reflex. it been a few years now. sometimes though rarely, I can get the food back up. but is s a rarity. I am reluctant to admit this, but I miss that satisfied feeling purging.