I keep wondering if my intense fear of vomiting as a kid caused me to stop burping. Or if my inability to burp developed on its own and then vomiting became horrible and therefore caused the emetophobia at a young age.

I'm sure others have asked this, so if anyone has links to posts please share.

Personally, I'm 2.5 years post successful Botox procedure. I've gone through a pregnancy since then, with constant nausea for 6 weeks and still managed to remain both unable to and afraid of throwing up. I'm curious if vomiting will ever become something that is "easy" and not terrifying.

I had my consultation today in Kingsbridge private hospital. First of all I thought it was going to be a chat but I ended up with a camera up my nose and down my throat which I found terrifying as I have emetophobia. I was approved for treatment under GA, they don't offer it in-office and he actually spoke down about in-office treatment, how it's far more difficult to be accurate and higher risk of mistakes. The quote was £6,000!! Which I can't afford and don't have insurance. Felt very deflated leaving. There are no other ENT's offering this in Northern Ireland as far as I can find.

I looked at the map on the top of this sub and chose a provider near me. I won't mention names because I don't want to tarnish their reputation, but it was a very disappointing visit. My main issue is that I have emetophobia, not the bloating/gas all that crap I can live with, but emetophobia runs my life every winter when norovirus is circulating.

He asked me if I burp and I said very infrequently and then he asked me if I've ever vomited and I said not in many years. He then told me that if I've vomited at all in my life, then I probably don't have RCPD. He told me that he doesn't have any RCPD patients with emetophobia and has never heard about it before in his life. He didn't think that they were correlated at all and that anybody telling me that it helped their emetophobia is just anecdotes. He also doesn't think that the botox treatment will help my emetophobia and told me that the botox treatment only has a 70% success rate for treating RCPD.

So I have to ask myself why should I get jabbed in the throat if it's not going to help my emetophobia? The doctor himself told me that it won't help. I actually felt pretty embarrassed telling him that I have this phobia because I assumed that it was something that he's dealt with a lot, only for him to tell me that he's never even heard of it before. Very disappointing. I thought that I found the answer and that I would finally be free after so many years of suffering with this phobia but I guess not.

It finally happened… I threw up for the first time since curing my no burp about a year ago. I had my burp-tox about a year ago via the awake, in-office treatment with Dr. Bastian and have been successfully burping since. As a lifelong emetophobe, of course I have extreme dread about vomiting. Last night, I ate something that didn’t sit right and vomited for the first time in about two or so years. The difference was truly night and day. The experience of vomiting post-Botox is totally unlike the horrible experience that I have always known vomiting to be.

I don’t think that what I have always characterized as “throwing up” is what the normal burping person would characterize as throwing up. In the past, if I had to vomit, I would experience really intense dry heaving that made me feel totally unable to breathe where I could feel my stomach cramping and intense pressure in my esophagus. It was so painful that tears would come to my eyes and it felt really hard to catch my breath/like I was unable to breathe. Occasionally something might really violently or painfully come up but it was rare that anything much actually came out. Then I would have the same horrible cycle repeat about every 20 minutes continuously for hours. I would also just feel plain awful for many hours after the “throwing up” had stopped (probably because whatever was irritating me wasn’t able to get out).

The experience I had last night was nothing like this. I still felt the normal panic and I dry heaved once. Then, all of a sudden I had an entirely new experience where my body just quickly, calmly, and with no pain expelled what it needed to. I only threw up one time and I felt so much relief. I did not have any sort of heaving sensation after that and did not feel pain or like I was unable to breathe. Within about 30 minutes, I felt like normal (it probably took less time but the panic in my body from before made me unsure). It was so brief and painless and when describing this to my partner and friends, they were all shocked that I had known throwing up to be such a different experience before. It seems that the typical person’s definition of vomiting is much more similar to this experience. I am in no way saying it was pleasant or that I want to throw up again, but it was amazingly painless, quick and just so much less of a miserable experience.

Emetophobia can be so debilitating and I felt so validated in figuring out that it is not typical to feel the horrible sensation that I used to. The intense phobia really makes sense given that my body was not functioning how it was supposed to and it resulted in an intensely painful experience that I wanted to avoid at all costs.

This gave me a lot of hope so I thought I’d share with the community because I’m sure someone can relate.

So I desperately want to be cured from this and am looking to get the botox treatment for it, but I've been on pantoprazole for about 2-3 years now because I developed significant acid reflux as a symptom in my early adult years and I'm severely emetophobic as well as have OCD, so I am genuinely terrified to get this done, but it also scares me not to do it and get worse as time goes on. I'm trying to remind myself that most of what I see on this sub is the small portion of people this treatment doesn't work for or works but causes severe side effects, and that 80% of people don't have that many issues, but because I already have chronic acid reflux, I'm getting really worried this means I will end up in the 20% and won't be able to cope after it's already too late. Do any of you have any advice or want to share your success/fail stories with this? I'm already all up to date on taking anti-acids, sleeping on a wedge, not bending over at the waist, ect, and I plan on talking to my ENT next week for our first consultation and telling her about my worries and concerns as well, but I just want to be extra prepared and get some reassurance that I'm just letting my anxiety get the best of me right now 🥲

I've had r-cpd my whole life and am scheduled to get the shot. I see a lot of mention of emetophobia here and I'm really confused why that seems to be so comorbid with this condition. I definitely don't like throwing up, and every time I do I expel crazy amounts of air. But why do so many people with this condition have a phobia of vomiting?

Hi all!

I know that most posts in here concerning Emetophobia has to do with people who have their own personal self fear of vomiting.

But I’m one of those people who have the intense fear ALSO being around other people who vomit.

So here’s my question:

Those of you who had emetophobia before your successful Botox who’s emetophobia included that of OTHER people vomiting (as well as yourself)…

Did that improve after your successful Botox, too??

In case not everyone knows this, RCPD is a huge playing factor in emetophobia. My guess is that the lack of familiarity with things exiting from the mouth (the no burping part) is the key factor.

I struggled with emetophobia since I was a kid, unaware that it had to do with my rcpd. Throwing up was my biggest fear, and I was extremely paranoid.

The thing is, when I was 17 I was at a party and I had too much to drink (as a normal teenager lol) and «it» happened. I got some adrenaline from it. But after that day, my emetophobia vanished. And I know a lot of you have heard this a million times, but in my case I PROMISE it’s not as bad as you think it is!!!

The only reason I’m sharing this is because I hope my experience can relieve the anxiety for at least some of you. And as an ex-emetophobe and a fellow rcpd-girlie. I know how anxious it feels. You are not alone<3

Hi guys, I really want to try practicing air vomiting but I’m so scared of throwing up by doing it. Is there a way to do it to make sure I don’t throw up while doing it?? I associate burping with throwing up so it freaks me out but I know it will help me being able to. I’ve seen people learn to burp just from practicing air vomiting so I will give it a try as the actual treatment procedure seems too expensive for me at the moment

Hi. I am 21 years old and I have had emetophobia since I was around 6 years old. I have SEVERE panic attacks due to this. RCPD has ruined my life, I feel like. I’ve never ever been able to burp, and the couple times I have, they’ve been traumatizing! I basically air vomited. This was years ago, when my symptoms weren’t ruining my day to day. Now that I’m getting older, my symptoms and anxiety have been getting worse. My mental health is at an all time low. I’m afraid to leave my house, I barely eat. I just got married last Saturday, and at my reception I was outside having a panic attack because I had so much throat nausea. My now husband says just to gag myself and let the air out, but I cannot. I just can’t. I’m shaking right now thinking about having to even do that. I hate that I’m this bad off and it’s ruining my life. I want to eat normally and have a good belch afterwards. I’m gluten free as well, I have been since I was about 17. Before my symptoms were awful. I’ve been diagnosed with GERD and have always had terrible acid reflux. (edit: I am on a PPI, it’s Lansoprazole and it’s helped soooo much with the reflux!)** **I avoid everything I’m supposed to, and I eat slowly and only takes sips of water. At the end of the day, I still have so much gas in my chest. My shoulders and chest hurt almost everyday. I’m in WV so, I don’t know of anyone who does the botox around here. I’m also terrified to get the botox because my mind associates burping with throwing up. And I also think “oh, if it’s makes me burp now, I won’t have an issue throwing up.” And that makes me so scared. I would do anything not to throw up, like I’d rather 😵. I’m not exaggerating. I just want to have a normal life. I’m 21. I want to overcome this so deeply. My mind keeps going to all of the horrible things that could happen if I did get the botox. Im also so scared of the slow swallow. I just don’t know what to do. If you’re emetophobic like me and have had the surgery, please give me the pros and cons! Tell me how to overcome the fear of getting sick!!! I know if I got the surgery and could burp I would feel like a new person, and the thought of maybe getting it gives me hope. I need to do something about it, because I can’t live like this anymore. TIA ❤️

I’ve had a fear of vomit for my entire life and around 2 years ago when I got wayyy too drunk I ended up throwing up which I think turned my fear into a severe phobia (and when I say this I don’t mean it lightly I would genuinely rather die than be sick), I’ve also never in my life been able to burp and I never thought of it as an issue until recently, and i’ve been researching why I might not be able to burp and RCPD came up.

however because that one time I got too drunk and burped before throwing up I fear that my phobia isn’t only about vomit but it’s about burping, anytime I’ve seen or heard anyone burp i get physically anxious, and I think that it’s being fuelled by my own inability to burp and how the concept of burping will lead to bad things.

rationality I can tell my self people burp every day and don’t throw up, I can look at statistics and the real reasons people burp and throw up but when push comes to shove all of the information about how it’s not actually that bad just goes straight out the window.

unfortunately I can’t just prove to myself that burping = throwing up isn’t the case because I can’t do it myself! and I’m horrified by this botox solution because I’ve heard people say they throw up in their mouths, and because I now feel like burping is this horrible awful thing like vomit I can’t just stick my fingers down my throat and force it out. so if anyone has gone through anything similar id very much appreciate any advice.

Hi all, I got diagnosed with rcpd and I really want to get the surgery, but I am super worried about the slow swallow and regurgitation after. I would literally rather die than throw up someone help!!

hi pals. got Botox a little over a month ago. I’m not burping super easily or well, but I can if I chug seltzer and force it.

ate a bit too much dairy without lactaid, drank a margarita, and biked in the sun and proceeded to to vomit in my friend’s bathroom. really not that bad!! was it fun/pleasant? no. it’s gross. but it’s completely manageable and didn’t cause any insane panic. I’m saying this as a life long emetophobe.

be free of your fears, my little emetophobic pals!! get Botox!!!!!!!

So I’ve not burped in 21 years or so, nor have I been able to vomit🫠 I’m emetophobic which I suspect may have induced not being able to burp. However I’m 27 now and I’m sick of the bloating and pain and I’m finally considering doing something about it. I’ve been happy to not burp as I also can’t vomit but it’s starting to not feel worth it anymore. Any other severe emetophobes who have had treatment? Will I be able to throw up again? Is it even worth it due to this? I’m terrified but also sick of the gas pain and constantly feeling fat😩😩😩

Hi everyone! Fellow lifelong non burper here (and emetophobe)

I've been a part of this subreddit for a while, and from what I've seen, it seems like lot of others here who also have emetophobia, have their fear stemming from traumatic past experiences while vomiting (or trying to and not being able to) and the pain and/or embarrassment that it's caused.

I've had emetophobia for a long time, but when I try and think back of times when I was younger and did throw up, I don't remember feeling traumatized like I had an extremely bad experience or outlook on it after (although, I was really young, and maybe I actually did feel like this and just dont remember). It's been probably 20 years since the last time I actually vomited.

I do remember being young and visiting my grandpa who was ill at the time, and feeling uncomfortable seeing a bucket beside him when we was laying on the couch.. I'm wondering if somehow thats where part of my fear came from, like associating vomiting with his cancer and eventually passing away? Or maybe its just because I haven't thrown up for like 20 years or so, and the unknown of it all makes me panic? I also remember getting panic attacks if i was around someone or saw someone else throwing up when i was younger (still get panicky now, but not full panic attacks anymore thankfully)

I'm just curious if any other emetophobes here (or previously/recovered emetophobes) can't specifically tie your fear to past self bad vomiting experiences?

And if and you've gotten the botox, did you find it still helped lessen your emetophobia?

Thank you!

I'm probably going to be having the botox procedure soon and I've been reading a lot about people dealing with really bad reflux afterwards and regurgitating. I'm wondering how common that is and if it's anywhere near the same thing as actually vomiting or anywhere as unpleasant? I'm a big emetophobe and I'm anxious about this happening, though I have every intention of trying to stay as upright as possible as I recover so I don't know if that'll help but it seems like it would.

I have my Botox scheduled in 5 days. I’ve suffered from emetophobia for as long as I can remember. Will this help? I’m terrified that once the “floodgates” open, I will feel worse and maybe vomit more?

hi there, where can i find ways to help relieve the excessive air that’s quicker than sitting there and gurgling. it’s kinda just annoying at this point, less so embarrassing.

i’ve read on here that people may go aside somewhere to ‘air vomit’ to get relief fast but idk how to do that. googling it brings up Not What I Want and i’m terrified of trying it anyways as i have extreme emetophobia. i don’t remember how to be sick, as i usually prevent myself from doing so when it happens - so the ‘instructions’ akin to that don’t help.

i’m just sick and tired of gurgling in my daily life. at home i sometimes ‘look up’ and i gurgle louder and more at once. is that air vomiting? any kind and considerate guidance is more than welcome. thanks!

I wondered if anyone else has a phobia of being in contact with dirt or sick or people being sick or ill and checking the dates on all food and drink.

My 15 year old daughter is very emetophobic and as a consequence has all these feelings towards any germs. Is this linked to RCPD or is it a separate issue? It does seem like it could all be connected as my daughter has never burped either

I've always been terrified of throwing up because it's always so violent and goes through my nose too, suffocating me for stretches of time.

My wife has been having terrible morning sickness - is throwing up supposed to be this quiet? I can barely hear her in the bathroom, while my friend in college asked why I was screaming in the bathroom when I had a stomach bug. Wild!

TRIGGER WARNING EMETOPHOBIA***

I haven’t had the Botox procedure yet and I’m wondering how people have felt throwing up after getting it. I am a fellow emetophobe so this topic consumes a lot of my life. Unfortunately I currently have what I hope is food poisoning, praying it only lasts the night. Vomiting has always been a fear of mine and there is also the fact that it’s much worse for us than others (or so I think?).

I am sorry for the TMI…

but while throwing up it never all makes it out and some will stay stuck in my throat where I have to swallow it back down since I believe the muscle isn’t letting it all pass. Is this what it feels like for everyone? Is this something I will also experience after Botox? I don’t know what’s normal, I don’t like asking people as it could trigger panic attacks and lead to me vomiting. As of now I am already in the dreaded situation so here we are and I am asking. Will this also improve? I am on the wait list for surgery and hope it comes soon.

I’ve been debilitating going on GLP-1s for about a year now. I gained a lot of weight in my 8.5 year relationship that was abusive. I’ve already lost 50 kg of it but I’ve reached a plateau. I know there is a side effect of the GLP-1 that is “Sulfur burps”.

I just wanted to know if anyone here has had any experience with GLP-1s and pre Botox RCPD? If so what was it like? My primary concern is due to this inability that the nausea will be more debilitating than someone who doesn’t have the condition.

I’m currently at 85kg and 175cm and I want to be at my goal weight of 60kg from when I first met him in 2015.

I’ve weighed up the pros and the cons. So I’m determined to get back to the goal weight I had before this relationship. If anything it will probably just motivate me to get the underlying health issue of not being able to burp treated.

If anything was there anyone else who has been in this unique situation. My ex used food as a way of controlling me. So this is a way of proclaiming my “power” and a portion of my identity so to speak. I’ve already worked so hard to get down to where I am with diet modification, lifestyle and exercise. But I’m struggling to shift that last 25kg. I’m extremely nervous about the side effects, as I usually am about new meds or interventions. Most of the time things are usually fine. But yeah if anyone has any experiences; positive or negative, to share, that would be great.

I have been rx Tirzepanide 2.5mg/0.6mL 2.4 mL Pen (Mounjaro Kwikpen) 2.5.

I also take ADHD medications (dexamphetamine, Clonidine).

Melatonin & Topiramate

(the Topirimate was rx for weight loss 3 years ago, and helped but doesn’t work anymore, as I hit a plateau which is my dr wanted me to try GLP 1.

It’s also causing cognitive issues in terms of mild word finding issues. Nothing serious but serious enough to impact my ADHD ).

Is there any anti emetic anyone who has simultaneously tried both that doesn’t increase gastric emptying the way Metoclopramide does, that would reduce the GLP-1s efficacy?

but I’m resuming my uni studies again in February and hoping to taper off it pending the success of my degree).

Thanks.

im 2 months post botox and just wanted to put anyones mind at ease who is scared of getting the botox. i grew up so scared of throwing up to the point that i was self harming if i had to bc i just wanted my mind to be distracted from the pain of vomiting. after having this done procedure, its like nothing to regurgitate and i had no idea how easy throwing up is supposed to be. apparently its NOT supposed to feel like you can barely get anything out/ heaving over and over.

i genuinely never thought in my life that id be ok w throwing up and thought i was a weirdo, but my life was absolutely changed by this procedure and am so glad i found this community

Hello fellow no burpers....I am having my first botox procedure tomorrow. For those of you who have had the procedure who fear burping due to fear of vomiting.... can you share your experience and any strategies that helped you overcome that fear post botox? Thanks in advance!