A British woman with a rare disorder that stopped her from burping for six years has opened up about the symptoms she lived with before turning to Botox injections.
During the Covid lockdown in 2020, Caitlin Jones realised she could no longer burp normally, as the muscles involved weren’t releasing trapped air the way they should.
Rather than burping, the 20-year-old said she was left making loud gurgling sounds that reminded her of a frog. At first, doctors suspected IBS, but after seeking private care in 2023, she finally received an accurate diagnosis.
Speaking of her symptoms, Caitlin explained: “I’d get a lot of pressure in my neck and chest so if a burp needed to come out, I’d get gurgles instead – like a frog noise.
“It’s to do with puberty when your muscles are changing so that’s when it happened for me.”
Caitlin, who works as a commercial cleaner, was diagnosed with retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction. The condition occurs when the cricopharyngeus muscle in the throat doesn’t relax properly, preventing burps from coming up.
After her diagnosis, she opted for treatment and received 50 units of Botox injected into one side of the cricopharyngeal muscle—an intervention that cost her more than $1,000.
That first attempt didn’t bring relief, so she later returned for another round in 2026. This time, the procedure cost $1,300, and she says it has eased her symptoms.
“I had 50 units on each side of the throat on Tuesday [April 7] – so double the dose of the first time,” she said.
“I’ve burped three times since then – the first time since 2020!
“I had a small burp, then a normal one and then one lasted five seconds!
“Usually with the Botox it does eventually wear off bit whilst it’s still there your body can learn to burp again – it depends on your body.”
She also described how the condition affected her confidence, particularly in public settings, saying she became increasingly self-conscious and stressed about being around others.
“If I went out for a meal with friends I would always be gurgling and it was really embarrassing – everyone else could sit there and eat and I couldn’t,” the Brit explained.
“Sometimes I had to leave or go and sit in the car.
“The first couple of years after I found out I had it, my anxiety was through the roof, and I didn’t leave the house.”
Caitlin says she’s gradually found ways to cope with the condition and is now hoping the latest Botox treatment continues to reduce the discomfort and help her manage day to day.