After being overweight my whole life (30+) I am now struggling to maintain my weight. I have very little appetite and find swallowing a huge struggle. One very odd thing I’ve found is that I can drink a glass of water (most of the time) but I struggle hugely to swallow more than a couple of mouthfuls of coffee.
I am seeing various health professionals (doctor, psychologist, neurologist (for a sleeping disorder) and I did see a psychiatrist). I am on medication associated with my sleeping disorder and one idea is that my eating issues could be associated with that (I have been on this drug previously without any issues). They are not sure if the reason I can’t eat/swallow is due to an eating disorder or physiological issues.
I agree I have various psychological food issues (I’ve always eaten healthy food and because I was overweight I learnt to be very conscious of not eating processed high fat, high sugar food, now I need to eat higher calorie food and I don’t like that food). I know that I limit my diet because I don’t want to eat too much … but I’m really stumped on the coffee issue.
I like coffee, I want to drink the coffee, enjoy having my morning coffee, it’s winter here and a nice warm drink is a lovely thing … but on a good day I can only drink 1/2 a cup before my ‘body’ says “NO MORE”. I feel like my stomach is completely full and that my throat is blocked. No matter how I try, I can’t make myself do more than take one or two more sips.
Given the same quantity of water and coffee … the water is relatively easy for me to drink the entire glass (it still takes a bit of an effort to make myself drink an entire glass). Both are just fluids … I don’t associate coffee with a food I shouldn’t be eating, I want it (so I don’t understand if I have an eating disorder why I’m getting physical symptoms). My coffee is pretty weak, no sugar but lots of milk; I like the taste!
Anyone got any ideas?! I have constant feelings of ‘fullness’ and as though someone has their hand about my throat, eating is really difficult and unpleasant.
Do you (and your medical team) think it’s more physiological or psychological? Maybe that’s not a very good question because the two often go hand in hand.
Also, can you drink iced coffee or does it have the same effect? Or how about other drinks - juice, tea, milk, broth, soda, etc.
Anecdotally, I can drink several cups of coffee a day, when visiting someone for weeks who always has the pot on, very strong, and then when I leave and go home, never even think about it. So if caffeine is physically addictive, I am living proof that some people are immune to it.
I actually have the same problem. It started when I started taking Effexor and has continued even though I’m off it now. My doctor had no clue and everything appears to be fine physically, so I suppose it must be psychological. I’m afraid of throwing up in public because of this- seriously- because in addition to the normal feeling of fullness, my gag reflex is also triggered. Thankfully no one’s noticed or said anything.
I find that this can happen with creamy or fatty things when I’m feeling a certain way. I wouldn’t call it psychological, but the physical part is not my stomach or throat, but clearly in my head.
So, anyways, I’d suggest trying it without the milk or try milk by itself and see if you get the same reaction.
I’d also suggest trying decaf to see if you’re reacting to the caffeine. Stimulants are often appetite suppressants. Your body thinks you have enough energy, so the “low energy” impetus for hunger goes away. (Hunger contains other feelings, too, but that is part of it.)
I know somebody who broke the coffee habit by sipping a cup of hot water every morning. You wouldn’t get the kick but maybe you could get the whole cup down and just the warmth might be satisfying.
Thanks for the feedback, it does seem to be worse with warm drinks - so I get the same feelings of fullness with a hot chocolate … a couple of sips and I’m done. I’ve tried tea without milk (don’t like the taste of coffee without milk so kind of ruins the test as I don’t want to drink that!) and I struggle.
No one is sure … they ask me and it feels like a physical symptom not something I’m conscious of thinking. I’ve always enjoyed eating food, I love cooking and now I can hardly face food or drink. They have done the standard blood tests (which have come back perfectly normal).
The next specialist I’m to see is a dietitian to see if they can come up with ways that I can get more calories in (which I find completely laughable … I’ve been overweight my whole life, I know calories!)!
I’ve never been much of a ‘drinker’ (non-alcoholic or alcoholic), people around me go through bottles of water and I’ve never felt the need.