"During an 18 day fast I got to the point that no matter how hard I tried I could not drink water. I would try to drink water but it seemed like I had to choke it down."
I'm thinking that forcing anything is not good. Chances are that eventually you would want a drink. Ending the fast was also not a bad choice if you were unconfortable about it. Stress is not needed in any endeavour.
As for everybody around you thinking you're insane, that is nothing new. I think that happens to most that do something out of the ordinary. They just don't understand.