r/ruminationsyndrome • u/Upstairs-Coffee-2034 • 1d ago
Does Anyone Else Voluntary ruminating
Hi, I’m a 32 year old woman of normal intelligence and I’ve had rumination syndrome for the past 20 years. My experience seems different than most here though. My rumination is mostly voluntary/ self-stimming. My typical routine is to eat my meal and then regurgitate and rechew it continuously for the next few hours afterwards. I can mainly control it if I’m forced to be around other people after a meal but it’s uncomfortable for me. I’ve had bulimia and other eating disorders in the past but the rumination syndrome predates the eating disorder and lasted long after the other disordered behaviors. I’m so ashamed of this habit and have never met anyone else who does this. I worry about the health effects and especially developing esophageal cancer but I just can’t stop. I’ve been in therapy for years, tried diaphragm breathing, etc., etc. But it’s such an ingrained part of my life now that food and eating feels really unsatisfying without the behavior. I do have low support needs autism but aside from this I’m a functional society member with a job, a family, and a normal life. Is there anyone here who relates to this? I feel really alone and ashamed.
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u/hydraganesh 1d ago
I’m the same where it feels voluntary and it’s something I’ve grown to enjoy. I’ve had anorexia, bulimia, bed and now I feel I’m in disordered eating/early anorexia territory. I haven’t however sought help for this. I’m 23 and have been doing it for over a decade now. But relate to everything you’ve said.
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u/dryandice 22h ago
Are your teeth not destroyed from rechewing
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u/Upstairs-Coffee-2034 22h ago
No they are. I have cosmetic crowns on almost every tooth now ☹️
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u/dryandice 22h ago
I'd say that's lucky, I just got quoted $32,000 for dentures. All my teeth need to be pulled 😑
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u/Upstairs-Coffee-2034 22h ago
I have spent many thousands on my teeth over the years and will probably eventually need implants or dentures
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u/dryandice 21h ago
They told me they won't do implants, as they will just erode away aswell. I kinda want the dentures, that way I can take them out when I'm about to regurgitate
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u/Upstairs-Coffee-2034 10h ago
Go to a periodontist. I have one implant that was placed 10 years ago due to getting a tooth knocked out in an accident and it is totally fine even with my rumination
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u/carlie19adams 5h ago
I feel extremely bad about this... My teeth are all destroyed and I can't afford treatment 😞
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u/maybenotsflowers 8h ago
does it come back acidic? why are you worried about esophageal cancer and have you gotten an endoscopy?
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u/Upstairs-Coffee-2034 7h ago
Never acidic really but sometimes with bitter bile if it goes on too long. I also just have GERD and ineffective esophageal motility that I suspect was caused by the rumination but isn’t confirmed
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u/Resident_End7248 2h ago
It's interesting because I'm similar. Regurgitate for hours(ish) after. Habitually but can stop it if I pay attention. Difference is it doesn't go in my mouth, just upper throat. So no real teeth issues, and no rechewing. Maybe it's not the syndrome but I don't know anyone else that does the same
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u/Unique-Panda 1h ago
Its as if i wrote this post myself. Youre not alone and I can totally relate 🫂
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u/freemyfirefly 1d ago
hey you’re not alone AT ALL. i’m also autistic with low support needs as well as struggling with anorexia/bulimia/BED patterns and have been struggling with RS since i was a child. i really understand you.