UOAA Discussion Board

Hi all,

Ileostomate here but think this can apply to most of us. What do you do if you accidentally swallow something unchewed?

Of course this is to be avoided at all costs but sometimes you choke on air and have to swallow, or cough with a piece of gum in your mouth. And sometimes the mouth just goes on autopilot or the throat decides to claim its catch prematurely.

I have had this happen with minor bites but it's only a matter of time before I swallow something big and I want to be prepared because time can be of the essence.

Has this happened to you? What did you do? Is it ever wise to try to make yourself throw up to prevent a blockage?

Any and all advice appreciated!

If it helps, one time I had a gallstone that slipped out of my gall bladder into my small intestine. I thought I had food poisoning. But the small hard rock made its way out in a day or so.

Because of the possibility of accidentally swallowing something that may clog, I'll go a step further and use my front teeth to bite off tiny portions of suspected or known harder or fibrous foods.

For instance I like green beans, so even if cooked well they are still fibrous so I'll do my front teeth trick on that, then only eat a small amount mixed with other foods to avoid clumping (like a banana would).

Now with broccoli I'll only eat the tips of the soft flowers, avoiding the rest.

It's a workaround but better than denying oneself needed nutrition.