Spina Bifida

Posted on: Sun, Dec 16 2007 9:26 PM

Posted by: Resiak Posts: 4

I have a really hard time eating foods with certain textures. I always have.I've gotten used to eating certain foods..Like oatmeal with the fruit in it. Or certain toppings on Pizza. I still can not eat meat loaf. (I do like the flavor I just can't eat it). Cetain types of fish, I absolutely can not eat supreme pizzas.  I think its the mushrooms and oinions that get me. But I think it tastes great, it just gives me this gag reflex. Does anyone else have this problem? I was told that it is very common with Spina Bifida. It is very anoying. 

Posted on: Sun, Dec 16 2007 9:45 PM

Posted by: dramasteph Posts: 89

Haha, that's funny!!  I'll ask my mom (who has SB) about if it's a texture thing or what as to why she doesn't like certain foods.  Mom's not crazy about crab though she doesn't like strawberries (fresh or jam or whatever), though she ADORES chocolate!!  ;) 

Posted on: Mon, Dec 17 2007 7:52 PM

Posted by: Summer24 Posts: 183

Resiak:

I have a really hard time eating foods with certain textures. I always have.I've gotten used to eating certain foods..Like oatmeal with the fruit in it. Or certain toppings on Pizza. I still can not eat meat loaf. (I do like the flavor I just can't eat it). Cetain types of fish, I absolutely can not eat supreme pizzas.  I think its the mushrooms and oinions that get me. But I think it tastes great, it just gives me this gag reflex. Does anyone else have this problem? I was told that it is very common with Spina Bifida. It is very anoying. 

I am the same way. I can barely eat the pizza itself. I have to be really in the mood for a pizza to eat it. Jello I can't even look at or I'll gag...lol. I used to be bad with fish, but not so much anymore. I can't eat onions. I can find a tiny little onion in something becaus I will start to gag. Part of it is the arnold chiari, but the other part is a texture thing.

Posted on: Mon, Dec 17 2007 8:44 PM

Posted by: Kara Posts: 2,789

Summer24:

arnold chiari

Who or what is Arnold?! He sounds pretty tragic if he causes you to gag I've never heard of this so do tell!

Posted on: Mon, Dec 17 2007 8:53 PM

Posted by: Summer24 Posts: 183

KaraSwims:

Summer24:

arnold chiari

 

Who or what is Arnold?! He sounds pretty tragic if he causes you to gag I've never heard of this so do tell!

 

Arnold Chiari is what most of us with spina bifida have. It is when the back of the brain pushes down onto the brain stem and causes issues such as headaches, neck pain, back pain, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, gagging issues, and other problems.

Posted on: Mon, Dec 17 2007 9:05 PM

Posted by: Kara Posts: 2,789

oh wow-thanks so much! Now I truly did learn something today:-)

I know people with OI (and other forms of dwarfism) often have a narrowing of the top of the spinal column that can also cause headaches and neck pain. I haven't had a problem until the last couple of years and sometimes I feel like my head is too heavy for my neck-if that makes sense....and headaches. It sounds sorta similar except for yours is from the brain's direction adding pressure..either way-no fun!

Posted on: Tue, Dec 18 2007 12:51 PM

Posted by: sharonr Posts: 397

Summer24:

KaraSwims:

Summer24:

arnold chiari

 

Who or what is Arnold?! He sounds pretty tragic if he causes you to gag I've never heard of this so do tell!

 

Arnold Chiari is what most of us with spina bifida have. It is when the back of the brain pushes down onto the brain stem and causes issues such as headaches, neck pain, back pain, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, gagging issues, and other problems.

wow. i never knew this, i just attributed these to worn out joints and muscles....and i tend to carry things with my teeth, and sometimes i'll gag even though it's right at the front of my mouth, not anywhere near the back of my throat. i guess that also explains my "other" gag reflex, huh? i just thought i had a strong gag reflex....

Posted on: Tue, Dec 18 2007 12:54 PM

Posted by: sharonr Posts: 397

oh, yeah, and i have a real hard time with food textures, too. certain kinds of sushi, like shrimp, can't stand the way that feels in my mouth....sometimes even cooked shrimp gets me....certain kinds of candy....i'm real big on texture, like, physically, i have to touch everything i pass in a store, and i tend to rub things on my upper lip.