Difficulty swallowing with ms

[johnstonstephanie]

I have a difficulty swallowing that involves the feeling that things I am eating get stuck, or are slow in going down. I find that drinking coke or chewing gum can sometimes get the food moved down, to the point where I not coughing or clearing my throat constantly. Just wondering if anyone else besides me has swallowing problems associated with MS?

[jayjee]

Yes, I've had that for some time, as many of us do. trying different food can help find the better foods. Too severe swallowing problems can lead to aspiration pneumonia(which I've had a couple of times) so get more info.

[Justsayyes]

Yes, swallowing difficulties are common here, lots of previous discussions. Several members have had swallowing studies. There is help for this with different strategies, sometimes medication, other treatments. I know others here will give you some good info, wish I had the time to search it for you.

[1936siol]

swallowing

This is an interesting post. I have trouble swallowing, but it is mostly with liquids. I also have a problem with breathing and speech. Mine started with a hoarse voice off and on and gradually would get worse with time until now I am hoarse full time and can barely be heard. Shortly after the hoarseness started, I started having breathing difficulties and now swallowing liquids. I know this is an MS problem. I just don't know if it will improve. I have had these problems for 2 years, slowly getting worse.

Lois

[depuppy3]

Ditto

I have been having this issue as well. Everything feels like it is getting stuck in my throat and I can't get it to go down. Very annoying.

[johnstonstephanie]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks everyone, I was beginning to feel like I was the only one. Since most with MS present with Vision problems, I presented at first with these swallowing problems. Lois, I know what you mean about the hoarse voice mine gets really hoarse and sounds breathy, and very soft and hard for others to hear me.

[rsb]

I have lupus, celiac and possible MS, and I've had swallowing issues periodically for 20+ years. I had an upper endoscopy done and the gastroenterologist diagnosed me on the spot with Eosinophilic Esophagitis- then the biopsy came back negative! Nobody could figure out what was going on. Now my doctors all agree it's probably the lupus, possibly MS.

[Sdickerson1]

My best friend is a speech therapist....we worked together for years before I was no longer able to work--- anyway, when feeling Luke u r chocking or if food gets stuck--
1-tuck you chin
2-clear your throat Hard
3-swallow Hard
Repeat! Dint drink liquids till the food has past down unless you tuck your chin into your chest!!


Good luck

[LindaT5761]

Me too

Sometimes it seems like I cough every time I swallow. I used to anxiously keep sugar-free Halls on hand. (sugar free because of dental problems, which have now been treated, but I still think sugar free is better). Over time I learned that I would not choke, that water or a cough drop or probably any hard candy would solve the problem. I'm not scared anymore of inhaling something. Anything with little pieces can make me choke, especially nuts, which I love. I don't seem to be allergic to them, they just turn into little pieces when you chew them.

I used to get the Halls at the news/candy stand where I used to work. Now I'm not working, & they're not that easy to find so I'm doing without them.

Best of luck with your difficulty.

[mjan]

I had this problem for several years now.. BUT.. get this. I was having a gastroentrologist do an EDG and mentioned my choking issue. He said he'd take a look at that and if he thought I needed a dilation of my esophagus he'd do it.

Well he DID dilate it and wow.. no more choking. It lasted a couple of years.. when i would wake up during the night and NOT be able to swallow at all!! I would get really cold water which seemed to stimulate the nerve endings enough to get me swallowing again.

So you may want to consult a doc (gastroentrologist) about getting a dilitation of the esophagus.. its simple procedure and they put you into "twilight" sleep with Versed and Fetanyl ( the same meds used for Colonoscopies).

Good luck folks, Jan