Hi Everyone,
I am wondering if there are others here that have swallowing issues from their MS? I have struggled with dysphagia since 2005 but is has been manageable with speech/swallow therapy and a great deal of caution. About 2 weeks ago, it suddenly got much worse. I, initially, had a few mild aspiration episodes but then had a terrible choking event where I couldn't cough or breath until the item moved in my airway. It took me 10 minutes of violent coughing to expel the gummy. There have been multiple events since but that one and another with a piece of lettuce have been the worst.
I had brain and c-spine imaging. We do not have the official report yet but my neurologist told me there is a "new" but not enhancing cervical lesion at C3-4. It was not there on my last MRI in January. I saw ENT the same day and had several unpleasant tests. They found I was pooling food and liquids around my vocal cords. Even worse, they found that my esophagus was filled with food even though I had not eaten anything for 3.5 hours! The esophagus should empty of food in about 5-8 seconds after swallowing.
I had more yucky tests yesterday and am being referred to a GI motility specialist and for more speech/swallow therapy. It was about 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and a very neurogenic bowel but my esophagus tested normal at that time. This setback has me very scared for the future and my ability to continue to eat normally, by mouth. Please share with me your experiences, treatments or therapies that have worked for you.
Thank you!
I am wondering if there are others here that have swallowing issues from their MS? I have struggled with dysphagia since 2005 but is has been manageable with speech/swallow therapy and a great deal of caution. About 2 weeks ago, it suddenly got much worse. I, initially, had a few mild aspiration episodes but then had a terrible choking event where I couldn't cough or breath until the item moved in my airway. It took me 10 minutes of violent coughing to expel the gummy. There have been multiple events since but that one and another with a piece of lettuce have been the worst.
I had brain and c-spine imaging. We do not have the official report yet but my neurologist told me there is a "new" but not enhancing cervical lesion at C3-4. It was not there on my last MRI in January. I saw ENT the same day and had several unpleasant tests. They found I was pooling food and liquids around my vocal cords. Even worse, they found that my esophagus was filled with food even though I had not eaten anything for 3.5 hours! The esophagus should empty of food in about 5-8 seconds after swallowing.
I had more yucky tests yesterday and am being referred to a GI motility specialist and for more speech/swallow therapy. It was about 2 years ago that I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and a very neurogenic bowel but my esophagus tested normal at that time. This setback has me very scared for the future and my ability to continue to eat normally, by mouth. Please share with me your experiences, treatments or therapies that have worked for you.
Thank you!
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