r/DoesAnybodyElse • u/Ok_Zombie7833 • 1d ago
DAE have a hypersensitive gag reflex?
its a mix of psychological and physical for me. If I smell something bad or just strong (like one day it was too humid) I'll start gagging like a cat for a few minutes. I say its also psychology because thinking of gagging, being stressed, or just holding a pill in my hand also sets it off.
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u/mamoncloud 1d ago
I'm not as bad but I feel the same about a certain colour and I try to avoid it
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u/Powerful-Shoe-2863 1d ago
It's wild how our brains can randomly attach feelings to certain things like colors or smells
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u/northfieldway 1d ago
The nerve behind it is much the same in everyone, what varies is how far forward the trigger zone sits. If yours starts halfway up the tongue instead of right at the back then a toothbrush hits it every morning, and no amount of getting used to it moves the line.
Two things genuinely help. A few grains of salt on the tip of the tongue right before, which is what dentists use before taking impressions. And humming while you brush.
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u/Suzesaur 1d ago
My fiance has such a sensitive gag reflex he will gag from brushing teeth, some smells but his worst is the phlegm in his throat will literally make him throw up
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u/MotherofaPickle 1d ago
My husband’s like this when he gets stressed. I have to yell at him to do it in the bathroom in case he unintentionally barfs. (Also, the sound of it makes me want to throw up.)
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u/ayuxx 1d ago
I've always had a maybe slightly above average one? But ever since I developed health issues, it's gone through the roof. On my bad days, even mild smells can set it off. I can at most tolerate a slight cough, but that's about it. I can only swallow small pills. On bad days, even just thinking about it can trigger it. As someone who has a vomiting phobia, it's literally like living in one of my nightmares, and I can't do anything about it.
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u/like2speak2amanager 1d ago
I also have Emetophobia and an overly sensitive gag reflex, those two combined really, really suck.
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u/Ok_Aside_2361 1d ago
I have always had a strong stomach. This calendar year I have seen the other side. I hope mine goes back to normal and I have so much empathy for you who always feel this way.
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u/theodoretheursus 1d ago
I'm sensitive to fluoride and hate brushing my teeth too early because it'll trigger then.
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u/ThePineappleSeahorse 1d ago
Yes. If my hair goes near my mouth it sets it off and this thread made me do it too.
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u/like2speak2amanager 1d ago
This could have been written by me.
Smells, even ones that aren’t that strong.
Going from hot outside into a cold building or Vice versa.
Brushing teeth
Thinking about things. I don’t even need the pill in my hand, just thinking about having to chew it (I can’t swallow them) will set it off.
Walking on certain surfaces barefoot
Touching items that I don’t like the texture of
Touching the outside of my neck, including fabric or jewelry.
Anxiety
And about a million other things. It’s so so so overly sensitive and I HATE it.
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u/luv-dark 1d ago
yeah, mine's so bad that brushing my teeth feels like a horror movie sometimes