'I Vomit Everything I Swallow', Health Worker Narrates Her Suffering- A Condition That Feels Like Choking Every Time You Eat

For most, eating is a simple, routine activity- sitting down to share and enjoy a meal with friends or family or simply in solitude. But for Elise Baynard, a 25-year-old healthcare assistant from Dover, Kent, eating is far from normal. A rare condition known as achalasia has rendered swallowing food almost impossible, leaving her vomiting up to 60 times a day and having to stand to eat in order to avoid choking. The illness has not only impacted her physical well-being but also severely affected her mental health.Elise's experience with achalasia started in January 2020, when she suddenly began to have trouble swallowing. What began as a slight discomfort quickly developed into a sensation of tightness in her chest, which made it hard to eat even simple foods. Her GP initially diagnosed her with acid reflux and prescribed medication, but the medication did little to ease her symptoms.Gradually, the condition worsened. Bread and pasta were impossible to consume, and even swallowing liquids was a chore. As her health continued to decline, Elise lost an enormous amount of weight, reaching only seven stone. Fed up and eager for solutions, she consulted with specialists, who consistently "fobbed her off" as her condition remained undiagnosed for years.Following referral to a gastroenterologist in 2021, Elise had several tests, including an endoscopy. These were all normal, and she was left without a diagnosis. It wasn't until November 2024 that she was referred to a specialist in London, who diagnosed her with achalasia—a rare condition where the muscles of the esophagus do not contract normally, so food cannot pass into the stomach.The diagnosis was established by a manometry test, which detects movement of muscles within the esophagus. "There is no activity in my throat—it's basically broken," Elise said. "It's not a death sentence, but it's no way to live."What's It Like Living With Achalasia?For Elise, each meal is a struggle. Unlike most individuals, she is unable to sit down to eat, since gravity is instrumental in getting her food into her stomach. "I have to stand up when I eat, so the food actually goes down," she explained. Even with this accommodation, she still experiences severe regurgitation, which can happen as many as 60 times a day.One of the most excruciating aspects of her condition is the esophageal spasms. "It literally feels like having a heart attack," she described. "Some days, I’m sobbing on the floor in pain." These spasms cause intense pain in her jaw, neck, and back, making daily life incredibly difficult.Beyond the physical challenges, achalasia has severely impacted Elise’s mental health. The constant struggle to eat has led to an overwhelming fear of food. "It’s always on my mind, and I’m developing a fear of eating," she admitted. "It affects every part of my life."Social interactions have grown to be more challenging. Going out to eat with friends is well nigh impossible, and even informal dining at home is filled with tension and discomfort. The loneliness that accompanies her illness has made her feel stuck in a pattern of pain and worry.Is There A Treatment for Achalasia?In spite of the difficulties, Elise holds on to hope that a specialist procedure known as peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) might give her a way back to a normal life. It is a minimally invasive procedure where muscle is cut along the lower esophagus to dilate the opening and enable food to flow more freely into the stomach.However, she faces a long wait for a referral from her specialist. "I have to wait for my specialist to refer me for the procedure. But it took years to get a diagnosis—I don’t know how long this will take," she said. "I’m desperate for the procedure."Without the surgery, Elise worries that her condition will continue to worsen, making day-to-day tasks even more difficult. "I just want to be able to eat normally again," she said. "I want to enjoy food without fear of being sick."What is Achalasia?Achalasia is a very rare condition, occurring in just 1 person per 100,000 population every year. It results from damage to the nerves within the esophagus, so the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is unable to relax normally. This makes it impossible for food to pass into the stomach easily, resulting in regurgitation, dysphagia, and rapid weight loss.Since achalasia is such an unusual condition, it is regularly misdiagnosed or mistaken for acid reflux, as with Elise. Some typical signs and symptoms include:Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)Bring-up of uneaten foodChest ache or painWeight lossSpasms in the esophagus and resultant intense painThere isn't a recognized cure for achalasia, but treatment via balloon dilation, Botox injections, or the POEM procedure can decrease symptoms and allow a better life.Elise's experience serves to underscore the necessity for more widespread awareness of rare diseases such as achalasia. "I felt ignored for so long," she explained. "If doctors had listened to my symptoms sooner, I would not have spent years without diagnosis."She wants to encourage others who have similar symptoms to get help and demand appropriate testing. "No one should have to wait years for a diagnosis," she said. "People need to know that this condition exists and that help is available."Although Elise's experiences with achalasia have been painful and frustrating, she is optimistic that the POEM procedure will bring her the relief she so desperately desires. Meanwhile, she continues to adjust to living with the condition, doing her best to manage her symptoms."I just want to be able to eat without fear," she said. "I want to sit down for a meal with my friends and family, like everyone else."

'I Vomit Everything I Swallow', Health Worker Narrates Her Suffering- A Condition That Feels Like Choking Every Time You Eat

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