How Botox changed life of man who could not burp for 52 years

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Daryl, a 52-year-old cybersecurity executive who suffered from a rare condition preventing him from burping, underwent a Botox injection treatment in 2026 that successfully relieved his lifelong digestive discomfort. This procedure, targeting retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD), highlights a promising solution for similar patients whose symptoms often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Daryl, a 52-year-old cybersecurity executive, experienced a lifelong inability to burp that caused him significant discomfort and digestive issues until he underwent a medical procedure in early 2026. The condition, which went undiagnosed for decades, was identified as retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD), a rare and relatively recently recognized disorder.

For most of his life, Daryl was unable to expel trapped gas through burping, leading to persistent bloating, excessive flatulence, pain, and constipation. He initially dismissed the issue, but symptoms intensified in his mid-40s, prompting numerous medical consultations. Between 2018 and 2026, Daryl sought help from multiple general practitioners and specialists at both private and public healthcare facilities. Despite undergoing diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy and colonoscopy, he received mixed diagnoses, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with medications proving ineffective.

To alleviate the discomfort, Daryl resorted to self-induced vomiting and using medicated oil massages on his abdomen. It was only through online forums in 2024 that he became aware of RCPD, a condition unfamiliar to many healthcare providers. After further independent research, he found a paper by Leong Zhou Hao, a consultant in Otorhinolaryngology at Singapore General Hospital, who specializes in this disorder. With a referral from a polyclinic, Daryl sought treatment under Leong’s care.

RCPD involves a failure of the upper oesophageal sphincter to relax properly to permit the release of swallowed air as a burp. Normally, this reflex enables gas to be expelled, preventing excessive build-up. Leong explained that the condition likely stems from the reflex not developing in certain individuals, causing trapped gas to build up and cause discomfort. The exact prevalence of RCPD remains unclear, although some preliminary studies suggest it may affect up to 22% of people, with about 13% experiencing severe symptoms.

Treatment for RCPD involves injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into the oesophageal sphincter muscle to relax it and enable patients to burp. Leong, who had performed the procedure in Australia, noted that the effect usually lasts around three months, after which patients are encouraged to practice burping to help redevelop the reflex. Before the injection, Daryl underwent an endoscopy to rule out blockages.

In March 2026, Daryl received the Botox injection under general anesthesia. Six months post-procedure, he reports being able to burp normally without the previous associated pain and bloating. The ability to burp has markedly improved his quality of life, allowing him greater dietary freedom, including the return to drinking lattes without discomfort. Daryl described the experience as “life-changing,” emphasizing the sense of relief and newfound normalcy it brought to his daily routine.

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