Problems swallowing

[from2344]

I have been recently diagnosed with MS. My question is does anybody have problems with swallowing? I have been having an issue with feeling like food or fluid isn't going down, like it gets stuck in my esophagus, I have to beat on my chest (right below my throat) until it feels like it goes down. I have had this going on for approx. 3 years and seems to be getting worse.

I have gotten pneumonia every year for the past three years along with bronchitis several times and a collapsed lung last year.

I have read that ms can cause problems swallowing but I am not sure if this could be the problem. I have a lesion on my cervical spine and 7 in my brain but I'm not sure if the location of any of these lesions could be the issue or if its something else entirely.

I have asked my gp and neurologist and both have pretty much ignored my question. However my gp did do a ct scan of my lungs and my lungs appeared to be normal.

Thank yo

[Whimpurr]

I have had a few issues ... nothing too obvious yet myself ... but YES, MS can definitely cause swallowing and choking issues. Be careful! ((HUGS))

[misslux]

It is unfortunate that your concerns have been dismissed as MS can definitely cause swallowing/choking issues. Food or water down the wrong pipe is always risky as it definitely can cause infections.

Maybe see if you can get a referral to a speech language pathologist to have your swallowing assessed and also to learn tips to deal with it (e.g., eat slowly, use liquid to wash down solid food, etc.)

Good luck!

[suziq38]

Spinal cord injuries in the c-spine can effect almost anything in our body.
I hope that this does not become a problem for you.
Just take it day by day, and talk to your doctors.

[brothrgoose]

difficulty swallowing.

This is a part of MS that terrifies me!

Watching people from nursing homes with 'g-tubes' because they can't safely swallow...I enjoy eating food too much to surrender to a feeding tube when I can no longer safely eat.
I would rather not be here.

you can see that as "harsh"...but everyone has their breaking point

Annie

[Kimba22]

I have asked my gp and neurologist and both have pretty much ignored my question.

That is absolutely ridiculous!

You need to have something called a 'barium swallow test' done by a speech and language pathologist, as mislux suggested. Not only is choking dangerous, you're also at serious risk of developing something called 'aspiration pneumonia'.

Here's a link to the National MS Society explaining all of this: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ems/index.aspx

Best wishes,

[from2344]

Thank you, I have called and made an appointment with my gp.

[mjan]

Yes I DID have swallowing problems. Saw a Gastro specialist and he did a dilatation and it worked. Had to have another dilatation done and it improved more.

I literally would choke on all food and always needed liquids to help food go down. Then I would wake up totally unable to swallow. It took very cold water, not tap water, to swallow again. I tried not to panic!

Have not had any problems since..

Not sure all docs even know how to treat this. So I highly recommend seeing a Gastro doc to see what they think as they do the EDG scoping.

It does not hurt, was a "little" sore for a day or so, wish someone would've told me to eat only soft foods. The next few Dilatations never hurt at all. They give you Versed and Fetanyl during the procedure.

Take care and let us know what you learn

Warmly, Jan

[from2344]

Yes I DID have swallowing problems. Saw a Gastro specialist and he did a dilatation and it worked. Had to have another dilatation done and it improved more.

I literally would choke on all food and always needed liquids to help food go down. Then I would wake up totally unable to swallow. It took very cold water, not tap water, to swallow again. I tried not to panic!

Have not had any problems since..

Not sure all docs even know how to treat this. So I highly recommend seeing a Gastro doc to see what they think as they do the EDG scoping.

It does not hurt, was a "little" sore for a day or so, wish someone would've told me to eat only soft foods. The next few Dilatations never hurt at all. They give you Versed and Fetanyl during the procedure.

Take care and let us know what you learn

Warmly, Jan

Jan, yes I can relate I panic all the time and my husband is always reminding me to breathe. I get to the point when I am done I am ready to pass out from holding my breath so long. I am trying to remember to breathe and to remind myself I CAN breathe.

I have read about dilation as well as botox. I am not sure what my Dr. will do the tech that did the upper GI said I needed to see my neuro and a gastro specialist so basically I am now just waiting to see what my Dr. says next week.

Was your's caused from your ms? This is another question I am hoping to get answered as of now I have no clue. My report does say "unusual for age" I am 42 and I have read it's more typical in over 50 but hey I feel about 70 most of the time.

Thank you for sharing with me. I always enjoy reading your posts you are very encouraging and knowledgeable and both is what I am needing with my new dx.

[mjan]

Jan, yes I can relate I panic all the time and my husband is always reminding me to breathe. I get to the point when I am done I am ready to pass out from holding my breath so long. I am trying to remember to breathe and to remind myself I CAN breathe.

I have read about dilation as well as botox. I am not sure what my Dr. will do the tech that did the upper GI said I needed to see my neuro and a gastro specialist so basically I am now just waiting to see what my Dr. says next week.

Was your's caused from your ms? This is another question I am hoping to get answered as of now I have no clue. My report does say "unusual for age" I am 42 and I have read it's more typical in over 50 but hey I feel about 70 most of the time.

Thank you for sharing with me. I always enjoy reading your posts you are very encouraging and knowledgeable and both is what I am needing with my new dx.

I am not sure if it was MS, but believe it was. Funny now I am having some breathing issues when coming out of sleep only but it lasts for a few hours. I have to force myself to breathe deeply. Maybe its just psychological.

Never told the cause, but know that acid reflux can lead to swallowing issues. So who knows...

Try the VERY cold water trick AND tell your body NOT TO PANIC, as fight or flight is often triggered trust me.

Let me know how you are doing hon. You can write me via email in my profile if you want anytime. Just ID yourself from MS World.

Hugs, Jan

[Fed Up]

I had the swallow test about 3 weeks ago, it was good that day and most days, that symptom is common for me and early. What has been going on for awhile is...

When i went in and explained my issues and failure of food to deliver to the stomach without lots of water, or pills without a "pusher" (eating and then drinking to chase the pills down)...she asked..

"Do you have M.S.??"

So apparently some people do know.

Informative thread. fed

[Dayna]

One thing's for sure, you know you're never alone here. Like another poster had said, this is one of the most terrifying symptoms of MS. I get this quite frequently and especially with certain foods that are very dry, but for some reason, pasta happens to be one of them.

Downright scary! What we have to do is chew our food much longer, and even add some liquid to it before we swallow, even if it doesnt sound appetizing. Maybe write a list of foods that are worse than others, so you know what to avoid, if it's getting so bad, as in every single meal.

MS stinks. Hugs.

[Sharonn]

I have the exact same problem

I have not had it for years but just in the past 6 months, I don't have any spinal cord lesions, only 20 to 25 in the Brain?

How do you know what symptoms are caused by the spinal cord or the brain?

Sorry I'm real new so not sure if asking a question is allowed when posting on someone else's thread???, so some one let me know!

[Seasha]

Sorry I'm real new so not sure if asking a question is allowed when posting on someone else's thread???, so some one let me know!

Hi Sharonn and welcome! It's Ok to ask a question in someone else's thread, but you will get more answers and comments to your question if you start a new thread on your own

So glad you found us!

[naphappy]

Whenever I log on to this site- something is always relevant.

I have had increasing problems with swallowing and choking. It reached a tipping point lately.

I had had been having trouble when I tried to go to lunch with friends- one being a speech and language pathologist.

She chewed me out. Gave me a list of recommendations and typed an assessment to send to my neuro.

I was then given a barium swallow test that verified moderate dysphagia.

I go tomorrow for another barium test of my esophagus because she saw some irregularities there as well.

I have been thickening my fluids and only eating mushy foods. Pureed mostly. This seems to help. Sometimes I get such spasms that food comes back up.

The breathing and choking is terrifying. I think even though I love the taste of food, I would rather breath than eat!

I have lost 45 pounds. (needed to lose some of that ) But not this way.

Good Luck and stay in touch