Updated March 20, 2007

The Sneeze/Nausea posts I made last year: (The Sneeze/Nausea Connection and The Sneeze/Nausea Connection - Redux) continue to gather more comments - and more information. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear from someone who is plagued by (or knows someone who suffers from) this intriguing phenomenon.

Some of the data provided by sufferers of SAN (also affectionately known as SNAUSEA ;o), seem to indicate some sort of correlation - be it in the types of medications taken or in the medical histories, but the fact that there are those who apparently have no medical history suggests that this enigma begs for a closer look …

Is it, as a few physicians, have tentatively offered: a stimulated vagus nerve? If so, then stimulated by what? Could it be a response to the chemical components of certain medications? If so - which category of drugs is causing the problem? Could it be, instead, a medical condition causing the problem? Quite a few of the respondents suffer from hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia … is that causing the nausea? Or could it be that whatever is causing the medical condition is also causing the nausea?

I’m calling on all of my medically savvy readers to ponder on this one a bit. There are more Snausea sufferers out there than you’re aware of - and it’s more of a problem than you realize. This is a very unpleasant symptom, which happens without warning, can be quite violent, and can actually end in vomiting. Under any circumstances, sudden, violent nausea should be a concern - even if it’s relieved by sneezing. The mere social implications are jarring … never mind the ongoing personal discomfort of those who experience the phenomenon.

Hearing from you - with your ideas and suggestions - would be great! Asking your patients if they experience this sort of thing - would be even more helpful …

Do we have any new “Sneeze Associated Nausea” sufferers out there? How about someone who’s already sent us a bit of a history, but who has an update - or more complete information? We’re waiting to hear from you.

Also - if you have any unusual reactions associated with sneezing, please let us know! When you read the comments pasted in below, you’ll see that there are some rather varied affects reported - one person even wrote about a mate who sneezes when he becomes aroused … that might get a bit annoying after a while … ;o)

Either email me or leave us a comment in the comments section!

Please take the SNEEZE POLL in the left sidebar!

Hug a SNAUSIE today! :o)

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SAN: I want to thank Brad Wright of Anatomy Notes who posted the original article about photic sneezes, which gave rise this entire conversation to begin with. He named the condition: “Sneeze-Associated Nausea (SAN for short)” … sounds good to me! (Good luck in medical school, Brad!!! :o)

SNAUSEA: Credit to Jody for coining the term “snausea.”

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September 9, 2006 - Anonymous #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.

Extra comment from #1: 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. :)

September 9, 2006 - Anonymous #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.

Extra comment from #2: 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 9, 2006 - Anonymous #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).

September 9, 2006 - from the Moof:

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.

September 10, 2006 - Peggikaye:

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?

September 19, 2006 -Gwyn:

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 22, 2006 - Susan:

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 22, 2006 - Tracy Roeder:

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

Added comment from Tracy: I forgot to mention that the CT and MRI were on the brain. Nothing unusual was seen.

October 9, 2006 - Marcie:

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 13, 2006 - Kelly:

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 14, 2006 - Laura Dawn:

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 15, 2006 - Jim Floyd:

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.

(Moof’s note: Although there’s not much information here, I included this one because he’s one of only two males who’ve responded so far … I was beginning to think that it only happened to women …)

October 21, 2006 - Michael Cruise:

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 23, 2006 - Tracy:

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.

November 3, 2006 - Shelley:

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 14, 2006 - Deb:

I just started having this extremely deep nausea right before sneezing (relieving the nausea) in the past two weeks. While reading all these messages, I remembered that I just started taking a daily multivitamin with all sorts of stuff in it the last two weeks. I’m a bit overweight, but otherwise healthy. I’m a 22 year old biology student, and I’ve been really frustrated by these strange symptoms. Perhaps I’ll try some experiments with the vitamins. I’ll let you know if I discover any further correlation.

November 16, 2006 - Kaara:

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 17, 2006 - Barbie:

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 19. 2006 - Jodine Rodway:

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 15, 2006 - Karen:

I’ve always sneezed when going outside into the bright sun. I always thought it had to do with the way that I squinted. If I feel a sneeze coming on, if I look up at the light, whether inside or out, I am usually successful in getting that sneeze out.

I’ve only just recently started having acute nausea, and then having a “different” type of sneeze. Usually, I just sneeze once, but when I have one of these nausea triggered sneezes, I always have a very hard, double sneeze. Not two sneezes in a row, rather, I sneeze, and then without another second’s interim, I sneeze again. Immediately, the nausea abates.

I started metformin (glucophage) 850mg/2x daily a few weeks ago. I have taken this same medication before without sneezing. I also take a multi-vitamin, Omega3 Oil, and Oil of Oregano capsules. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which is the (off label) reason that I take metformin. I am overweight, but dieting. It was VERY noticeable once I started dieting (Atkins based) that the nausea/sneezing was a related phenomenon.

December 17, 2006 - Jody:

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 19, 2006 - Bonnie:

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 19, 2006 - Lynda:

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 20, 2006 - Rachel:

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 21, 2006 - Karen_s:

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.

and

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?

December 27, 2006 - RJ:

I’m a 30/M and have been experiencing this nausea/sneeze thing for about a year. I first attributed this condition to extreme dieting/training. I am a fitness trainer and I’m constantly dieting. I do share some medical conditions with the others who posted here. I have hypertension (not taking any meds…yet) and I have had several sebaceous cysts on my scalp. I’d very muck like to understand why exactly this occurs

January 3, 2006 - Paige:

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 5, 2007 - Peter:

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 phenomenon likely triggered by the new meds.

January 14, 2007 - William:

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 17, 2007 - Kendra Ray:

I have also had this nausea/sneezing problem for the last several years, and I have only told a few people about it because it sounds so crazy. My sister found this website, and I couldn’t believe this happens to others! It started a few years ago. I have this sudden, horrible nausea followed by a sneeze and the nausea goes away. This happens almost every time I sneeze, and I have no idea why. I am a healthy 35 year old female and I really haven’t had any other medical or physical problems. I don’t take any medication, other than the occasional pain reliever. It is so bad sometimes I actually start running toward the restroom thinking I am going to get sick, and then once I sneeze it’s gone. It would be WONDERFUL to know why this happens, or if there is anything that can be done to prevent it.

January 17, 2007 - Jessie:

Hmm. My experience has been similar, but I’ve always put the cause and effect differently. I’ve noticed that very often, when I am nauseous, I sneeze and the nausea relents. My nausea is rarely as severe as others have described, and it does not always go away for good when I sneeze, it simply dissipates. I suppose I always thought of it like the bright lights; I don’t see bright lights just before I sneeze, I sneeze as a result of the bright lights.
I’m 22 (female) and the only medical problems I’ve had have been associated with acid reflux- I don’t take any regular medicine other than birth control.

January 27, 2007 - Arthur:

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 30, 2007 - Rick:

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 2, 2007 - Carol:

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 14, 2007 - Bud:

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 14, 2007 - Tracy:

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 15, 2007 - David:

This is amazing, I have been asking people about this and couldn’t find anyone who had any idea. I am a 51 year old male in good health. Slightly overweight, hay fever since my teens. I have been having the nausea (mostly in the morning) followed by a sneeze which takes away the nausea completely. I read somewhere on Health.com before I found this site, that GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease) may be the cause. That would make sense for me, as I have been taking Prilosec on and off for several years now. Hope this may help/relieve some. Thank you for this, I feel better already knowing I’m not alone.

February 17, 2007 - LA:

(Via email - used by permission)

Hi,

My fiance sneezes when he starts having erotic thoughts. We think it’s quite funny but I’ve been researching if there’s a name for this or to see if anyone else has the same reaction.

What info do you have on this?

la

February 20, 2007 - Pamela:

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 24, 2007 - John:

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 24, 2007 - Tracy:

One common link seems to be that EVERYBODY is on some kind of medication.
Perhaps the fillers used to make the medications are the source of the problem.

February 24, 2007 - Rick:

since posting my last i have been adjusting my eating habits to ensure that i have something in my stomach other than black coffee and sugar at all times during the day, when this usually occurs.after having snausea every few days for a year and a half,i experience NONE when i have several small snacks during the day be it an apple,kiwi fruit,energy bar or something else healthy.i went 2 days on purpose with my old eating habits and on the second day (they were not in a row) i had a snausea bout.i know that its a small trial period but im convinced that there must be something eminating from the stomach causing the sneezing although the nausea doesnt emit from there.i would love to hear from anyone who finds success with this at thomrick747@hotmail.com

February 25, 2007 - Mara:

I’ve experienced the nausea-sneeze thing for along time. And yes, folks think I’m nuts and the dr looks at me and says “huh” and that’s it. It seems to be something must cause it if all these folks experience it also. Seems some md type person should have some ideas, not yet I suppose?

I have a few ailments similar to others in that I have type 2 diabetes, insulin dependent, ataxia, seizures, depression, gallstones, sleep apnea… and I won’t go on with the gory details beyond that :o)

I take aLOT of meds, including for depression, diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol.
Still a mystery, however, I have a few things I want to look into after reading others’ replies..
I’m glad this thread is out here so we can share this interesting connection.

March 6, 2007 - Nicole:

I’m 23 and have had the nausea/sneezing problem for as long as I can remember, even as a child. I have no major health issues and have never had any major surgeries. I do have mild allergies during warmer weather but nothing of real concern. My mother also has the exact same sneezing issue but not as often as I do. It happens to me a few times every week and I have just gotten used to it over the years. Although, I can say that I have never actually thrown up, I just always feel the sudden urge to (tense facial muscles, sudden weakness, salivation, etc.) but know that I won’t. It’s definitely interesting to see how common this is. I actually looked this up out of boredom and expected no search results. weird.

March 14, 2007 - Kate:

This nausea/sneeze thing happens to me as well. My details:
33. Mostly healthy but I have been diagnosed with hashimotos thyroiditis (nodes on thyroid and pre-hypothyroid). I take no daily medication. All in all I’m pretty healthy though I’ve been struggling with my fertility…stress and wonky hormones are a bad combo.

March 17, 2007 - Corey:

Count me as another nausea/sneeze “sufferer”. It didn’t start happening to me until last year, but now it is pretty routine. To me honest, when I feel a wave of nausea, I typically expect to sneeze and most of the time I do. Weird. Like others, I thought I was the only one to experience this and expected to find absolutely no hits on the subject. I guess we’re all freaks together ;)

Details: 24 yr old female

Medical factors: migraines, depression, anxiety
Medications: birth control

March 17, 2007 - Faith:

I’m a 23 year old female, currently on medication for depression and anxiety. I am on 25 milligrams of sertraline (generic Zoloft) every day, and I notice my snausea symptoms most in the morning. The nausea sensation is always very acute, almost making me feel dizzy. Afterwards, I’ll sneeze very hard, at least once. Usually it’s a double sneeze, so quick I can’t even breathe between them!

I would love, love, love to make this stop happening. I think I am going to try Rick’s idea of making myself snack during the day. However, my depression/anxiety medication severely hampers my appetite–any suggestions??

March 20, 2007 - Bonnie Nash:

(Via email - used by permission)

Hello,

I also experience the nausea-sneeze problem. Although, my nausea does not end with the sneezing. I usually sneeze a couple of times in a row soon after the onset of extremely severe nausea so debilitating I can do nothing but lie down and wait for it to pass. The nausea may last for up to three hours. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 18 months ago by accident. I went to my doctor for nausea, bloating, and constipation. I was later diagnosed with gastroparesis (slow digestion) and reflux. This vagus nerve damage usually occurs after having diabetes for 10 or 15 years. In my case, I know I haven’t had diabetes for too many years, because I have had blood tests at check-ups or prior to surgery over the years. I have also had 3 children, and I would think diabetes would have shown up during the pregnancies. I suspected some time of auto immune or connective tissue disease. My symptoms seem to fit. I had a cortisol test for suspected Cushing’s which was negative. I also had an arthritis panel done after my last doctor visit. I have not discussed the results with him, but his office called to say it was O.K.

I attribute my nausea to the digestive problems, but I’ve never been able to pinpoint specific foods that trigger it. I also take an array of meds which could be the culprit. The meds I take which may have nausea as a side effect, are taken twice daily and my nausea-sneezing occurs only after the first morning dose. It occurs with or without food, and not every day, but a few times a week. The sneezing is odd, but the nausea is so overwhelming it’s not my main concern, just something I’ve noticed.

I just wanted to add another 45 year old, Caucasian female with type 2 diabetes to your research. Feel free to add my stats to your blog. I will check back to see whatever you guys might uncover about this strange phenomenon. I’m going to mention this to my doctor when I see him in a couple of months. I expect the same eye rolling, what a hypochondriac you are, response from him! Thanks for your time.

Bonnie
Georgia, USA

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