So in the past two days after eating I have had the dry heaves. I think that I am eating too quickly and this will sound stupid, but how do each of you monitor your time between bites and your total meal time. It has been a rough couple days and I really need to keep my attitude in check, but these events made me frustrated and angry. After this happened the second time NO food sounds appealing and I am actually scared to eat. Your advice would be great! Thanks all.

Anna, you are right, if I eat too fast or forget to chew enough, I get an intense discomfort in the sternum area.

If makes me feel as if I want to throw up. I don't like that feeling!

I have always been a fast eater, so it is an effort for me to take a small bite, chew it at least 25 times, swallow, put down my fork and wait a minute before I take another bite. It has to do with the peristolic action of the stomach. It has to progressively squeeze the food down, and this takes about 45-60 seconds. Also, I quit eating when I feel the first signs of discomfort and never drink during my meals.

Try this it may help.

If you can, try to purchase some smaller silverware. The small demitasse spoons that you can find work great for spoons. This helps control the bite size.

I agree with the above poster about putting your fork/spoon down between bites. Then chew as described above. This really helps alot.

Another tip is to not eat anything that you can pick up by fingers. This may sound strange but try it. Alot of foods that are "no, no's" are things you can pick up with your fingers. These things are usually stuff that is difficult to digest (such as celery sticks, etc).

Be sure you are realxed before eating. Try not to get distracted while eating and then forget and swallow a big glob of stuff.

Try to drink something warm before starting to eat. This will help relax the muscles, etc so that you start out with a wide open esophagus.

Good luck!

I'm sorry your having discomfort as such. If it persists I would not hesitate to seek medical intervention just to be sure that there is no obstruction in any way. Otherwise I do believe that this will pass. I am finding that I have some days (consecutively) where I have much more restriction and at nearly 9 months out it feels instead as if I'm just starting to introduce solid food into my system! Instead of fighting it I take a step back and eat mushies only...it ebbs and flows with me...some days I can eat with relative ease and other days I worry even fear eating due to discomfort. A couple of days ago I spent $9.00 on a fajita-steak-salad-I took about 3 forkfuls, spit most of the steak into the napkin and packed up the plate and left it for a friend. Hang in there, take it slow, this should pass.

JerryVic gave you good advice on how to eat slow. I would add that if you get queasy to get up and walk around. I then take a small sip of water, and that helps. I think the water lets the pyloric valve open and release some of the food into the small intestines. Anyway, try it, it works for me. Although I do do try to eat slow, and recognize when i am full, so it has only happened to me twice. Good luck.

I ate off a baby spoon for awhile Anna. Also, sitting down your utensil does help tremendously. I also get up and walk around the kitchen if I swallow a bit too fast.

Don't get too discouraged. If you have discomfort when eating, then try some full liquid stuff. I know it sucks to go back to them because we are so tired of them, but honestly it helps your stomach relax and not hurt anymore.

Are you sure you might not have a bit of a stomach bug?

It would seem like that might be likely since you have been eating for awhile

now without these issues. If you don't think that might be the case, I would stick with things like yogurt and other soft creamy foods and let your system have a little rest.

These are all such good tips! I've learned that if I hiccup, it's my full signal. It means I need to put that bite down and stop. Even if it seems I can fit a little more, I listen to the all-mighty hiccup and stop because the fullness always seems to catch up after that. So maybe wait a bit longer between bites, after you've had 3 or 4 bites, and wait for the full signal to catch up. I guess if you eat too fast, like you suspected, this could be happening. Also, I get miserable if I drink too soon after a meal. It feels like I might overflow up my throat!