A Woman Couldn’t Burp For Years Because Her Body Was Holding In Every Single Bubble

For years Gemma Renwick thought she suffered from irritable bowel syndrome or a food intolerance. She was wrong; she had RCPD, which prevented her from burping. It took years before she received the correct diagnosis, and the remedy involved Botox.

The Burping Problem

Burping is a natural bodily process, and Gemma has never experienced it. She said she had never been able to burp naturally for as long as she could remember, according to the outlet. Air getting trapped inside caused her to feel sick and in pain. Eating and drinking made the discomfort even worse.

She found that the issue kept her from enjoying time with friends. When she went out for drinks or meals, she would get to a point where she felt too uncomfortable to stay. Her friends noticed this and wondered why she always claimed she felt ill or left early.

Triggering the Throat

When the pain grew too great, Gemma discovered a means of letting loose the trapped air. She set off the back of her throat, and pressure gave way suddenly. She was amazed at how much escaped and how rapidly she felt improved afterward.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Gemma was finally diagnosed in 2024 with retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction, or RCPD, commonly known as “no-burp syndrome.” The condition involves a muscle at the top of the esophagus that fails to relax properly. That means air gets trapped instead of escaping as a burp.

Gemma got a private Botox treatment that costs £920, which works by injecting the muscle so it can relax and release trapped air. She saw results within days.

Four or five days after the event, she began burping. That constant swelling eased off, and other digestive troubles she had carried with her for years also improved.

What Causes RCPD

Alison Schneider, a gastroenterologist, says that RCPD brings on symptoms including chest pain, abdominal swelling, and increased gas. The medical community has yet to settle on a definitive cause. Studies point to the cricopharyngeal muscle’s functioning as a possible explanation, though the specific trigger remains under investigation.

A 2025 systematic review found that over half of the patients studied began showing symptoms in childhood. About 28% of cases were reported to involve a family history.

Diagnosing RCPD

It’s hard to tell if someone has RCPD because its signs look a lot like those from other digestive conditions. Johns Hopkins laryngologist Lee Akst looks at a patient’s past health records and checks that their symptoms match what RCPD brings. He also makes sure there isn’t something else going on, like swallowing troubles or reflux.

There is no definitive diagnostic test for RCPD, so doctors rely on further examinations to rule out other potential causes instead.

The Botox Effect

Botox is currently the most commonly reported treatment for RCPD. A 2024 study found that 86.9% of the 637 patients included improved after their initial Botox treatment. The researchers stressed that available studies are still limited.

Dr. Lee Akst, a laryngologist, says that the results of Botox last for several months before wearing off. He notes that many patients keep burping normally afterward, since they may have changed how they use the muscle over time.

Spreading Awareness

Through her TikTok account, Gemma speaks about RCPD and raises awareness of the condition for her roughly 47,000 followers. She said she was unaware that others felt the same way until she began connecting with them online. Her hope is that these individuals might find the support they require.

The point she makes is straightforward: if you find yourself frequently feeling bloated or struggling to burp, it might be something worth bringing up at your next checkup.

Key Facts

1. Gemma was diagnosed with RCPD in 2024.
2. She paid £920 for a private Botox treatment.
3. The 2025 systematic review found more than half of patients had symptoms beginning in childhood.
4. The 2024 study showed 86.9% of 637 patients improved after their initial Botox treatment.

What makes Gemma’s story stand out is that it demonstrates how a symptom many people experience regularly can mask a condition that’s hard to diagnose. For years, she felt unwell without ever being given an explanation for what was wrong with her. Today, she leverages her platform to help other people spot the signs of RCPD.

See the video the story is built around at Bored Panda.

Botox · burping disorder · diagnosis · health · medical condition · RCPD