The Sneeze/Nausea Connection?
Sneeze/Nausea Connection - March 2007 Update
Back in April, I left a comment on Brad Wright’s Anatomy Notes. He had a very interesting post about “Sneezing in Bright Light.” He had information about “photic sneezers” which I’d never heard before … including the results of an intriguing poll.
Now, “photic sneezing” is not something that happens to me, however I do have a different, odd “sneezing” problem - for the last number of years, most of my sneezes have been preceded by a sharp, acute, aggressive wave of nausea … which passes with the sneeze (thank the powers that be!) Anyway, I left a comment on his post, and another lady with the same problem left a comment saying:
I have the same weird reaction just before I sneeze. It’s an overwhelming nausea and it goes away as soon as I sneeze. I found this blog while trying to figure out why this happens. It began about 6 months ago. Please, does anyone have any information that might be the least bit useful? I’m a nurse and I’ve never heard of this type of reaction. It’s really getting bothersome and I know that one day, when it’s the most inopportune time, I’m going to barf/sneeze and embarrass the heck out of myself.
I left her my email address, and we began to exchange emails, trying to pin down anything we might have in common. Then - my life got a bit complicated, and the emails petered off … bad Moof!
Anyway, several weeks ago, I got an email from another lady who had seen the April posting, and wanted to tell me that she also experiences the same thing. Wow! Another one! We exchanged a few emails, trying to peg down what we could possibly have in common. While we were still in the process of exchanging emails, another email came in from yet a third woman who has the same problem. It took me a moment to realize that this was yet a brand new person, and not one of the other two ladies I was already in touch with.
I wrote to all three of them, and asked permission to blog about the information we’d managed to accumulate up until now. I was hoping to tap into the medical blogosphere’s store of geniuses for information … ;o)
We compared notes on medical conditions and medications … I’m going to include all of the information below, without associating any of it with a particular individual. Note that the four of us, as I stated previously, are women. I haven’t yet heard from any men. Maybe this will drag some out the woodwork - unless, of course, it ends up being a women-only phenomenon.
History #1:
It’s so strange yet comforting to know that this odd phenomenon happens to someone else. I’m not sure why but I’ve never mentioned it to my doctor. Have you?
As far as my medical history goes, I am a 44-year-old, caucasian female. I have Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. My labs most usually come back normal with slight variences in my glucose levels. I am on a seemingly endless regimen of medications including metformin, Atacand, Avandia, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Aciphex, Yasmin, Zyrtec, and Zocor and last week I began Byetta injections to stablize my blood sugar levels. In addition to all of this I take a couple over-the-counter items including Vitamin E, a multi-vitamin and New Phase herbal supplement for symptoms of menopause.
My antihypertensive is Atacand 32mgs daily. I was put on this med because I couldn’t tolerate the ACE 2 inhibitors. It caused me to have a bothersome dry cough. It was so bad I couldn’t sleep at night.
I am overweight but since changing my diet, due to the diabetes, I have started to lose weight. Hooray! I’ve had no major surgeries and only had a general anesthesia one time to have my wisdom teeth removed. (valuim and versed IV).
I suspect I have some type of auto-immune disorder but it’s never been diagnosed. I have frequent fatigue that sometimes lasts for days. My practitioner did an Epstein-Barr titer and it was quite high but I don’t know how to interpret the results. I’ve looked online with no luck. I had mono about 10 years ago and just haven’t felt “right” since.
History #2:
I am a 49 year old woman in good health. The only major health issue I’ve had is melanoma in-situ removed from my left knee in 2004. Get checked regularly. I take no meds other than supplements. I am a new nurse. I’ve been really worried about this. (brain tumor, sinus tumor?) I saw a handful of people on the internet that have this same thing, and no doctor seemed to know what it is.
Benign pituitary tumor-hmm-I also have a history of benign growths (fibroids, thryoglossal cysts, ovarian cysts, etc).
It is so bizarre when it happens. I don’t sneeze alot, but this happens a couple times a week. It happened today, in fact, and the nausea was so extreme I got a little scared. I never vomit, though, the stomach is not involved at all. And once I sneeze, everything is fine. I wonder if there is a tumor situation, increased intercranial pressure? Who knows.
History #3:
I am 50(just) live in [...] Australia., I saw your post on a website about sneezing What you described is EXACTLY like my complaint…and I have been trying to find the cause. I thought it may be due to some medication I am on ????
I am a type 2 diabetic and am on Lipitor (cholesterol) and a new anti triglyceride drug as well as metformin(diabetes) and coversil (blood pressure).
History #4:
I’m a 54 year old caucasian female. I have a history of cysts (ovarian, kidney, breast, etc.,) and fibroids, have chronic kidney failure and hypertension, secondary anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism … and was told as a young woman that I probably have a benign pituitary tumor, although it was never verified, but he felt certain enough that he told me to avoid hormone therapy later in life. I am not diabetic, but have to keep an eye on triglyceride levels.
I’m taking Lipitor, Hyzaar, Clonidine, Norvasc, Calcitriol, adult aspirin daily, and monthly injections of Aranesp.
Note that two of the women work as nurses … two are diabetic (adult onset?) … two take Lipitor … all are women between 44 and 54 … three are hypertensive … three have a history of growths …
If anyone has any questions, wants any clarifications, etc., please let me know and I’ll do my best to get the information.
If anyone has anything to add, please do so in the comments. I’m looking for more people with the phenomenon who are willing to share a bit of history with us … and of course, for you geniuses out there to make some sense out of this! ;o)
9/10/06 … Peggikaye gave me permission to put what she wrote in the comments into the post itself. I will continue to add people to the post as they show up, if they allow me. You can be anonymous on the post, if you’d like …
I’ll put any newcomers here:
History #5:
Ok Moof, I’m here to expound as promised. :)
You asked me to put my conditions and medications. If you’re ready and you’re readers are ready …here we go. Warning for everyone, it looks far worse in the telling than it does in the reading!!! No pity!!!
Let’s do the conditions first, otherwise my medications will not make sense because you’ll think why in the world is 41 year old taking all this medication????
Myasthenia Gravis
Lupus (joints, costochondritis, pleurisy, MINOR pericarditis, mouth sores, lupus cystitis, hair loss, fatigue ….)
Asthma
GERD, History of ulcers, quite a few that left scars
Pyloric spasm, Hiatel Hernia, scars in my esophogus.
Osteoarthritis in knees, right hip, and shoulders
Hypermobile Joint Syndrome (born with it, my mom would dislocate my hips when she’d change my diaper, if they picked me up like they did a normal kid, they’d dislocate my shoulders. This is the cause of the early onset Osteoarthritis)
Eating Disorder -NOS ( large cause of most of the gastro intestinal problems)
Polyps on throat (probably also caused by eating disorder)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Restistance)There are a few other things too but my mind is frying now, so on to the medications.
Mestinon 60 MG 3-4 times a day
Mestinon Timespan 180 mg 2 times a day
Cellcept 500 mgs .. 2 tablets …3 times a day
Prednisone 5 mgs …daily
Ultram 3 daily
Celebrex 100 mg daily
Actos 15 mg daily
Crestor 5 mg daily
Topomax 150 mg daily
Zyrtec 10 mg daily
Prozac not telling on blog world lol
Macrodantin 100 mg daily
Atrovent 2 puffs 3 times a day
Advair 50/250 2 times daily
Albuterol (PRN)
Flonase (PRN)
Frova (PRN, Migraines)
Ambien 10 mg bedtime
Nexium 40 mg daily
Xopenex (PRN, nebulizer)
Toprol XL 25 mg daily
Darvocet N 100 (PRN)Okkkkkkkkkay …. anyone not fainted yet?
Charles de Lint
Please take the SNEEZE POLL in the sidebar!
September 9th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
I asked Chris if he ever got nauseated before he sneezed, and he looked at me like I’d grown another head…when I explained why I was asking, he made a few observations that really aren’t re-printable, so I’ll let your imagination go to work. It sounds like a very annoying problem, and I sympathize, even though I don’t have the same issue and I have NO idea what would cause it. Speaking of no ideas…what’s up with Sarah’s blog? All I get is a blank page?
Love ya
Shel
September 9th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Question, is it possible the fourth individual of this phenomanon has a history of benign growths and dosn’t realize it? Also, nursing is a high stress lifestyle.. is it possible this could be an odd way of the body coping with high stress lifestyles/body stress? (sorry couldn’t decide on the right word for that)… just curious.. hope you find a solution that has gotta suck!!
September 9th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
my nose runs when I’m super nervous (not good for working in sterlie fields…lol) but Im a normal sneezer. All four of my kids, however, ALL sneeze when they first come into bright sunlight. Never happens under artificial lights, just bright sunlight.
September 9th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
My guess - without research - is that the odd reactions that produce sneezing, including bright light, anxiety or nausea and possibly other reactions, may be a remnant of an ancient genetic protective measure.
I am a photic sneezer, as are my sons. All of the reactions occur very suddenly, producing an abrupt response in the brain, stimulating the vagus, ophthalmic or other nerve.
September 9th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Hi, everyone! I am the “History #1″ person…the one without the growths. In the last month a “suspicious” marble-sized mass was found in my breast. I am currently being evaluated. I know at this point it is a solid mass, not a fluid-filled cyst. We’ll see what happens.
And, although I’m a nurse, I haven’t worked for a couple of years. I’m taking some much needed time off. :)
Thanks, Moof, for taking the time to investigate this further.
Jen
September 9th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
I not only get nausea when I sneeze …but I’ve had it so bad I’ve thrown up.
I always assumed it had something to do with my reflux.
September 10th, 2006 at 12:48 am
Thanks for the update, Moof! This really is an interesting phenomenon, one I’d never heard of until you mentioned it on my blog. It’s great that you’re collecting histories and writing about it online. Given that the condition is a real source of distress for some people, I think it deserves to be more widely known. Maybe we should give it a name… how about Sneeze-Associated Nausea (SAN for short)??
BTW, I haven’t given up on blogging, although I’ve obviously put it on hold for some time. I actually have a ton of things to write about, but with all the big changes of the past few months, it’s been all too easy to put blogging on the back burner….
8-)
Brad
September 10th, 2006 at 1:19 am
My First Meme-and-Run…
Intellinurse asked me to participate in a blog-meme (see her site for details). This is the first one I’ve done, mostly because Moof (who tagged Intellinurse) I like, and was asked nicely. 1) Are you happy/satisfied with your blog’s conten…
September 10th, 2006 at 2:52 am
Very good post Moof. I guess I would be part of the ‘Is this a joke?’ crowd. I didn’t know people experienced odd things before sneezing. I thought sneezing was odd enough. Thanks for the education :)
Off topic, but interesting…. while I was looking trough Brad’s post I clicked on the Rube Goldberg link (hadn’t heard of him either). I found a link to the full video of the Honda Cog commercial. See it. I was told by a friend that this was not aired on TV in the US.
PS. Did you disable your auto preview? It doesn’t seem to be working. I’ll probably take up your tag today.
September 10th, 2006 at 2:54 am
OK. Now you know why I liked the auto preview. It should have been ‘..looked through..’
September 10th, 2006 at 2:56 am
oops again :) ‘…looking through…’
September 10th, 2006 at 3:44 am
Well Moof, this one has me stumped. I personally have never experienced it. Although I have experienced other odd sensations that i never heard anyone speak of, so I best keep them to myself. This does seem like there must somehow be a connection.
I have been a bit off, as in under the weather, lately, but I am sending you a long email tomorrow.
September 10th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Hi folks, I am the History #2 person above. You know how migraine sufferers sometimes have an “aura” that tells them a migraine is coming? That’s what this nausea is like-when I feel it I know a sneeze is coming. Bizarre!!
September 10th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Moof,
I have never heard of the nausea/sneezing connection. It sounds troublesome.
Iam one of those people who sneezes with bright light. Whenever I have a “stuck” sneeze, I look up at the sun or a bright light in the room, and it induces a sneeze EVERY time.
September 11th, 2006 at 4:19 am
Moof, I don’t get any weird pre- or after-effects of sneezing, Heck, I don’t even sneeze as much.
This would probably sound weird, I like the feeling of sneezing, it is almost like some clogged pathway to my brain opened up or something and I almost feel like enlightenment is almost there…one more sneeze and I would attain Nirvana ! Probably the nerve center for sneezing in the brain is close to the spiritual center or something. V.S. Ramachandran should be able to clarify :) The sad part is I don’t sneeze as much, which is not what I would say about Arunn, who would sneeze if someone in the next planet wears perfume.
September 11th, 2006 at 9:21 am
First time I heard of sneeze-nausea Moof.
PK, I think I’ll faint. I’m at a loss for words. My 3 months of Prednisone alone was ‘hell’. Take care. :)
September 11th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Impanema … I hated prednisone when it was given to me for my myasthenia … but it was long term doses at 60 to 100 mgs.
I never knew they gave it at low doses. When they gave it to me at 5 mgs, I fell in love with it. I gripe like you would not believe when they take it away now.
I walked out of rheumy with new dx today. (although, he dx’d me with it along time ago ..I jsut didn’t know it. Myofacial pain Syndrome. I have no idea what that is. I know the Residents who were with him both said OUCH when he said it.
As far as the taking care. Funny, Moof tells me to do that too. ;)
So did the rheumy.
Why do people always say that? It makes me feel so untrusted. LOL
September 11th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Moof: I love sneezing and I do it on a roll, 14 to 20 of them in succession…and I feel a high and relief everytime I sneeze. Nausea, before sneezing, no never…nausea for other while I sneeze, yes, definitely…ask my wife… ;)
September 11th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
I’d not heard of it. Interestingly, my wife frequently gets a sneezing jag in early evening. No time else, so I doubt it’s an allergy. After this post, I’m gonna have to pay attention to what lights go on at that time. Thanks. I think.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Moof, What happened to PK’s comment listing her problems & medications. It disappeared after a day?!!
& Thanks for fixing auto preview. You’ll notice that there are lesser typos now.
PK: Add me to the list of people who say ‘take care.’
September 12th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Sorry about that. I should have checked the post :)
September 12th, 2006 at 7:53 am
lol PK. My last dosage was 5 mg too.
I can feel that you’re a brave soul, bless you!
September 12th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I had no idea that this happened to anyone but me and Sister. Most people think it’s very weird. When I was pregnant, I frequently ran to the toilet thinking I would vomit, then I’d just sneeze. More unfortunately, one time in college I thought I would just sneeze and, well, you can guess the rest. In public, yes, quite an impressive memory.
September 14th, 2006 at 2:30 am
I don’t get nausea when I sneeze, but if they can just come up with a cure for stress incontinence, I know one particular woman (no names, of course), who would be quite happy.
September 14th, 2006 at 2:32 am
Okay, my medical mind just kicked in: could it be that sneezing triggers the vagus nerve, causing the nausea?
Any doctors think this might be a plausible scenario?
September 14th, 2006 at 11:42 am
So far, Dr. Engel and Kim are the only two who’ve written anything about what could be causing the phenomenon.
Both of them mentioned the vagus nerve … anyone willing to give the uneducated among us a physiology lesson … ? :o)
September 19th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
I too have this problem, but it just developed recently. I thought it funny at first. Now, I’m wondering what it is. I have autoimmune problems: Lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, Raynaud’s, blood problems, and I take my share of meds too, including low dose prednisone, plaquenil, female hormones, wellbutrin, and cymbalta. If anyone figures out the connection, I’d sure like to know. I’m a 43 year old white female. I’ve had the medical problems since I was in my early twenties, but it didn’t become full blown until I had my second child.
September 22nd, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Hi,
I too have the sneeze/nausea/bright lights connection. I am 39, caucasion, very fair-skinned. I’m not asthmatic and I don’t have any known allergies.
I have had this for many years, including whilst I was physically fit, on no medication and throughout pregnancy. The bright light connection began during childhood, I first became aware of the nausea/sneeze connection as an adult - maybe in my 20s. The nausea connection increased during pregnancy and when I get pre-sneeze nausea now I am reminded of being pregnant - not in a good way, it is a very unpleasant sensation, but clears completely once I have sneezed - usually a couple of times.
My husband is very sceptical of the phenomenon - especially the bright lights one - he thinks it is attention-seeking and would probably have me tried as a witch if we were in the 17th century ;-)!
I’d love to know more about it.
My mother developed sneezing fits in her middle age - she attributes this to pollen though & there is no mention of associated nausea.
With warmest wishes,
Susan
UK
September 27th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
I’m a rookie at this so I apologize if I’ve posted this twice. I am so relieved to find others who suffer from nausea before they sneeze. I have asked every doctor that I’ve seen for the last couple of years and they look at me like I’m crazy. I am desperately trying to find out why this happens. The nausea starts about 2 minutes before the sneeze comes on. The last straw was throwing up in my office before I could get to the bathroom. I am 37 and in pretty good health. I recently had a CT scan and MRI (for Bell’s Palsy) but both came back negative. I also have tachycardia (rapid heart beat)…at first I thought this might have something to do with the sneezing… I take Nexium and Toprol but had the nausea issue before I began taking the Toprol. Thanks to everyone for posting their comments. And to Moof! I feel better knowing I’m not the only person. Tracy
September 27th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
I forgot to mention that the CT and MRI were on the brain. Nothing unusual was seen.
Tracy
October 9th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
I just sent you an email after seeing a post on another site. I am a 35 yr old woman. This has been going on with me for a while. I have some sort of undiagnosed as of yet autoimmune disease and my kneecaps are shot from being hypermobile. But am otherwise in good health. I do take cymbalta and phentermine. I am overweight and now losing weight without trying- so I have some concern there. Iam on diet pills but have been on them for quite awhile and the weight loss is new. I will think I am feeling suddenly sick and then -bam- I sneeze and it is gone. Everyone thinks I am nuts!! Nice to see others with the same weird thing!!!!
October 13th, 2006 at 9:49 am
I have the nausea/sneeze connection as well, but does not seem to be connected with bright light. It seems to occur only when I take vitamins or medication on an empty stomach. I am a 39yo female, have no known conditions and do not currently take any prescription meds, and am in excellent health. I used to take Tetracycline for acne when I was 18 or so, which was when I first noticed the connection. I currently take several vitamins with breakfast, and found if I wait until my breakfast settles, then take my vitamins, I do not get the nausea feeling(or sneeze.) But if I take the supplements prior to or while eating, the nausea/sneeze usually occurs. Hope this helps(and doesn’t add to the confusion!)
October 14th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
I also have nausea before sneezing which usually ends the nausea. I have diabetes, hypertension, fibromyagia and depression. This phenomenon has only been happeing for about 6 weeks. I’m a 59 year old female. I take metformin, glucotrol, diovan, coreg, lexapro, trammodol and just started cymbalta a few days ago. I had a fatty tumor removed and a bad parathyroid gland. I would love to know the cause of the sneezing. Actually I don’t mind the sneezing but the nausea is no fun.
October 15th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
I just came across this thread. I’m a 40 yo male and this nauseous sneeze thing started 2 months ago for me. Three months ago i began taking adderall for ADD and have assumed this was just another side effect.
October 21st, 2006 at 4:56 pm
Hi just found this site, thank you everyone. I am a 38 year old male and have just started to develop this condition over the past 3 months. So here is my story
Healthy, only 1 operation ever to remove a salivary gland blocked by stones. Had hay fever since I was about 12 years old which was quite severe when I was younger but has been manageable in recent years.
About 6 months ago I began to get severe night sweats. This was weird as I had absolutely no other symptoms and felt fantastic. Went to the doctors and had extensive blood work done which came back perfectly clear. Sometime during the many blood tests I began to feel a sudden feeling of nausea so severe that I have to sit down. It has never caused me to throw up but the feeling generally lasts for between 20 seconds to 5 mins and always ends with a single sneeze. It is so embarrasing at work when this happens (generally 2 to 3 times a day).
Anyway, not long after the nausea started and during the tests, the night sweats stopped and I began to have stomach pains. Blood work started to show increase in enzymes produced by the pancreas. Doctor said I had pancreatitis. Suspecting stones I had xrays, ultra sound CT Scan and when these all came back clear they went in had a look and took a sample. Everything came back clear. After about 3 weeks the pancreatitis went, the sweats stopped and all I was left with was a doctor who told me I was so healthy I should expect to live a very long life and this rotten condition of acute nausea followed by a sneeze.
October 23rd, 2006 at 11:46 am
I am a 40 year old woman that just came across this site today, I have had this for as long as I can remember,Yes ive had my share of illnesses but im healthy. I dont take any meds from a Doctor, My over the counter meds consist of Ibuprophen. I usually get it in the mornings, it dont go away with eating. Ive asked many of people about this and i get the same look everytime,(get the straight jacket). Like I said, Ive had this all my life it seems and its not daily but more of a few times a week. I would really like to know if I need to go get checked out for anything. It seems that all here posting have had thier shares of health issues.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:08 am
[...] In September, I posted about a connection between a sudden onset of severe nausea and sneezing. I was delighted when three other people informed me that they had also experienced the phenomenon … and were willing to share details of their medical history and current medications with me so that we could compare notes, in the hopes of finding some common denominator. [...]
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I have EXACTLY the same problem, and have been experiencing it now for several years. I’m a 31 year old female, no chronic medical problems aside from migraines, and the only medication I take is Cymbalta (90 mg) for anxiety. The nausea never actually makes me sick to my stomach — it just prompts a sneeze, but it’s extremely uncomfortable. To me, the nausea doesn’t feel exactly like nausea when my stomach is actually involved — I always know that the sneeze is coming and will relieve the sensation. Maybe that’s because it always has such a sudden onset (I’m fine one minute, feeling sick as a dog the next until I sneeze).
Would love to find out any more information about this very weird and irritating phenomenon.
November 16th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
I’m a 26 yr old female, and I have the same nausea/sneeze connection. I mentioned it to my husband, mother and sister the other night, and they looked at me as if I’d grown another head! I decided to Google it, and here I am….
I don’t get nauseous every time I sneeze, nor do I sneeze every time I get nauseous. Sometimes it feels as though I have a limited “control” over the reflex. For instance I can “hold out” past nausea and sneeze instead, if that makes any sense at all. It came in handy lots during my recent pregnancy. I didn’t have morning/night sickness. I was sick all day long! :)
I’m not on any specific medications, just herbal supplements to increase my milk supply, a tea for the same thing, and prenatal vitamins to keep my milk quality up.
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one with this issue!! :D
Kaara
November 17th, 2006 at 4:28 am
Hi! I am 33 years old, and I too have the nausea/sneeze connection! It has been so weird not knowing anyone else with this problem. I first noticed it in my early twenties. It started at a time in my life when I first experienced anxiety problems- which were and have been diagnosed as “situational.”
I have pretty bad allergies- my main symptoms are sneezing and itchy ears. I asked a doctor about it once, and though he didn’t really know, he assumed the nausea was caused by sinus drainage which is what I have vomited when it has happened, which isn’t very often. But this doesn’t explain why the nausea goes away after I sneeze! I can tell when I am done sneezing by whether the nausea goes away.
I am not diagnosed with any diseases. I am not on any medications. People have mentioned diabetes here. If anything, I have some issues with low blood sugar; I sometimes have dizzy spells from getting up too fast, and it is worse when I am thinner.
One guy theorized that when we need to sneeze it builds up pressure, and he thought the pressure could effect a nerve that could cause a nausea response…
November 19th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Hello all,
It is so wonderful that I have found this blog, I dont feel all alone. My symponms are slightly different than that of the others that have written. I too have a sun sneeze connection and have experienced this condition since childhood, I even can accomplish to create a sneeze by looking toward certain lights occasionaly. What is different about my condition is that not only does the nausea occur before the sneeze, it has now caused me to vomint directly afterwords. This has began to cause many problems for me as I have to pull the car over when I am driving on a sunny day for this to compleate each cycle. I dont have much warning, and the attacks range form mild to severe. I have even been awakened from sleep only to run to the bathroom to sneeze and then vomit.
My stats are: 37 year old female, in good health for the most part. I was however diagnosed with bi-polar effective disorder at the age of 12, (very young for this diagnoses)and re diagnosed several times since.I have been on a wide variety of psychairtric drugs over the years. I currently take effexor, valproic acid, lamotragin, daily.
I have had one pregnancy that failed when I was 22 years old, and that was followed by a d&c under general anastetic. ten years ago I was suffering some symptoms that have since dissipeared, thes were loosly thought of a simular to toses of Multiple Sclorosis. I have never had problems with my blood sugar or any type of cysts as some have also reported. I will continue to visit this site and follow the research that will sure to follow this unusual phenomemenon.
Good health to all, Jodine
December 17th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Me too! I have this sneezing/nausea thing (snausia??). I just googled “sneeze nausea” and I’m surprised to find others.
I’m a 38 year old woman. It started about 6 months ago. I feel extremely nauesated for a few seconds, sneeze, feel like I might vomit, then after a few seconds, the nauesa is gone.
I’m being treated for non insulin resistant PCOS, depression/anxiety, migraines and acid reflux. I also had mono about 10 years ago.
I take a LOT of meds: prozac, ativan, inderal, fiorinal, buspar, protonix, tetracycline and just started metformin last week.
I’m so thankful for any insight.
December 19th, 2006 at 8:45 am
I do the same nauseated/ sneeze thing. I’m 36 and have noticed it since my late twenties. It tends to happen more when I am hungry.
December 19th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
I am a 41 year old woman who also has the nausea and sneezing phenom. I also noticed it happens more when I am hungry.
Also, sometimes when I need to sneeze (like a tickle is in my nose), and it seems like I can’t get it out, I can look at a bright light (it can even be a lamp) and it will come out!
Interestingly, I noticed that a lot of the people posting here suffer from some of the same ailments as me, and we take some of the same medications; such as, I take Fluoxetine (generic prozac), Avalide (for high blood pressure), Provigil (for sleep apnea).
I am being treated for depression, acid reflux, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, I have been treated for migraines in the past, I am currently being monmitores for pre-diabetes as my sugar levels aren’t quite right. It doesn’t help any of these afflictions that I am obese, and weigh about 272 lbs and am 5 feet tall. Unfortuantely I haven’t always been this overweight, this has only been in the past 10 years that i have been this heavy.
December 20th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
Hi,
I’m a 14 year old female and have the sneeze/nausea connection as well. It was so nice finding this blog and knowing i’m not the only one with this crazy phenomenon! I did see that I was the youngest on here that had it… I’ve told family and friends about this and they look at me like I’m crazy! I get very nauseous for anywhere from a few seconds to about five minutes & then I sneeze and the nausea is relieved, sometimes it takes a few simultaneous sneezes for the nausea to be completely relieved. I have noticed that this happens almost every time I’m hungry, but happens alot when I’m not as well. I’ve had this for at least a couple years, that’s when I first took notice of it anyway. I don’t have any health issues that I’m aware of besides my asthma.
December 21st, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Count me in as another who gets nauseated and then sneezes. After I sneeze I feel ok. It always happens in the morning and I just figured I was hungry. It is good to see I’m not the only one! I have another quirk but I’ll talk about it on my site so I don’t take up anymore space here. I love your blog.
December 21st, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Does it make us all weird that we encounter this phenomenon? Nope, we are special! Decaffeinated coffee experience and wondering if any others have it?
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:10 am
Hi sneezers! I also experience something along these lines and wanted to share my story and knowledge.
About the bright light associated sneezing (”photic sneezing” i think)- I’ve heard that the contraction of ones pupils in reaction to the light stimulates the nerves in the sinuses and often makes people sneeze. It seems like this is normal, and everyone I ask finds that glancing at a bright light helps them discharge their stuck sneezes. Many people also sneeze during eyebrow plucking, when they have debris in their eye, or other stimulus to the eyes. I’m convinced this is normal, and some are simply more sensitive than others.
The nausea-related sneezing is a little more cryptic. Personally, I have a gastric ulcer that causes me regular bouts of nausea anyway. It’s really bad when I am hungry and I often feel like I’m about to vomit if I don’t eat immediately. Usually, I end up sneezing instead just before I eat, or about halfway through the meal. It feels as if the sneeze aborts the nausea just before I lose my lunch (only usually). I also experience a false sense of fullness related to my nausea as well. Too nauseous to eat, but too nauseous not to eat. Does anyone else share this experience? Something I find that helps my nausea and its related sneezing is to eat small meals every couple hours. This way, my stomach is too busy digesting food to get empty and nauseous. Preventative feeding medicine, I guess :P
I am lactose intolerant and don’t eat dairy anymore. This eliminates the possibility of my sneezing being dairy-allergy related, but it might be worth it to cut dairy for a while just to see if allergies are your culprit. I also take Prozac for fibromyalgia and depression, like many of you on here. The health similarities you all describe are very interesting to me. I think this sneezing phenomenon will become one of my pet research projects in the future.
I’ve also found a couple journal abstracts on a dominant genetic phenomenon that causes people to sneeze when they become full; typically seen in men. Perhaps this describes a link between my too-early sensation of fullness and the sneezing too? (Only I’m not a man, but whatever.) So far, i can’t find any further documentation without paying for it - but I’m not going to stop looking just yet. I’ll try to post these if I find them.
I dunno, but its all very intriguing. If I can remember to keep checking this thread, I will. (Damn fibrofog makes me lose track of things sometimes) Also, there are posts on messageboards ALL OVER THE PLACE that I just discovered tonight of people saying they think they’re crazy because they get nauseous and sneeze (google: sneezing nausea). Someone should organize a website or something. Snausea.com anyone?
Good luck & keep snackin.
~Paige
January 5th, 2007 at 5:27 am
I’m 42 and just started taking Tricore. My cholesterol is over 300 and my trigylcerides are over 300 as well. I have nausea before I sneeze and can’t drink any alchohol without throwing up later.
This is new phenominon likely triggered by the new meds.
January 14th, 2007 at 3:24 am
Just FYI: I’m a male, and I too feel a sudden wave of nausea just before I sneeze. So, no, it isn’t just woman who have experienced this.
January 27th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Did a google search for nausea and sneezing, and found your site. I’m surprised nobody seems to know the answer to this. Sometimes when I’ve not had enough sleep (after say 4 or 5 hours), suddenly, and for no apparent reason, I feel nauseous. It takes about 5 seconds for me to become aware of the nausea, then another 5 or 10 seconds for it to peak. Then I sneeze, and the nausea goes completely. The last time this happened (about 4 or 5 months ago), the sneeze didn’t come as quickly as it usually does, so I turned on the bedroom light and stared at the bulb. Et voila! I sneezed, and the nausea was gone!
This only started about 5 years ago. When I have the cold, I don’t feel nauseous before sneezing! I’m 29, on no medication, and very healthy!
January 30th, 2007 at 2:06 am
hi…wow thankfully ive discovered this site.im a 41 yr old male and have been having the wave of nausea followed by a sneeze or two for about a year and a half now.i went for my physical and mentioned this to my doctor and told him that i thought it might have something to do with my sinuses but he checked and found nothing.i have severe osteoarthritis in the right knee and i was prescribed paxil after quitting drinking 2 years ago after being a heavy drinker.all my blood tests came back good and the liver functions enzymes are good again.i also found that this happens usually when i have an empty stomach although the nausea doesnt eminate from there.this is just an annoyance rather than a medical problem at this point but hopefully between all of us we will find out what it is we share in common that we have this “GIFT”…lol
February 2nd, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I mentioned this phenomenon of becoming very nauseated before a sneeze and my co-worker thought I was crazy. I explained that I first experienced this after my second pregnancy (age 27) and have had it ever since. It usually happens after taking my morning vitamins and it often takes 2 or 3 sneezes before the nausea completely goes away. The only medication I take is Synthroid for a thyroid nodule. It doesn’t happen every day and seemed especially worse when I started taking Anti-oxidants as well. As good as they are for me, I more often than not “forget” to take these in order to avoid the unpleasant nausea. It only lasts a minute or so but is powerful enough that I would rather avoid it! To get it over with faster, I will often look into bright light which usually helps me bring on a sneeze.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I also suffer from pre-sneeze nausea, even to the point of retching uncontrollably. I have noticed that this happens more often first thing in the morning than other times of the day.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) seems to be a common denominator here. That could also explain the vagus nerve involvement (hiatal hernia bumping up against the nerve?)
I am a 39 year old male with GERD. I have food allergies, but no respiratory ones. I take prilosec every day to treat extreme reflux disease. After reading these responses, I am beginning to think there is a link between GERD and what someone amusingly called “snausea” - or perhaps it is a side effect of common GERD medications?
February 14th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I do not have GERD, but I do have thyroid and parathyroid issues, something that keeps coming up here, too.
Since the endocrine system supplies the body with all it’s chemical reactions it seems to me that it is the root
February 20th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Sorry for posting this again but I posted to the wrong blog :( sorry.
Hi,
My mom is 67. She started experiencing the Snausea about five years ago. She also did not realize how many others are experiencing this same issue unil I found this blog. I would like to mention some habits. Smoking/Coffee using splenda and the sneezing usually happens on an empty stomach.
She is a type two diabetic, high Cholesterol, High blood pressure, acid reflux and anxiety.
Medications: Vytorin, amitripyline, actos, Quinaretic, 81mg asprin, omeprazole daily. I have emailed discovery health to see if they can help out this this question as to why?
February 24th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I am a 33 year old male who also experiences nausea before sneezing. I am very fit and muscular and do not have problems with GERD. However, thanks to “great” genetics, I have had VERY HIGH triglycerides (1500+) in the past, but medications seems to have them under control presently (
February 24th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
On