Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Swallowing Issues

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Swallowing Issues

    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!

    #2
    Swallowing issues are somewhat common in MS. They're also serious because MSers with swallowing issues can commonly put food into their lungs and cause lung problems. I've had swallowing issues but never had the tests done or the doctor's little scope put inside me where the watch the "flap" toggle between the windpipe and stomach pipe.

    What I found helpful is to "pre-think" swallowing. Some tips:

    Before eating, practice a few swallows with your throat -- just to cue your body into what's coming and to get the many muscles involved in swallowing ready.

    Then chew thoroughly -- very thoroughly. Don't do things like quickly chew potato chips while breathing and swallow. Try to turn swallowing into a "single-tasking" event.

    Also make sure you breathe. Breathe deeply before swallowing. That way your body is full of oxygen and doesn't feel rushed to breathe.

    When swallowing, do the muscle process two or three times if needed. Drinking before/during/after eating/swallowing is helpful, doubly so if you don't have the saliva content in your mouth.

    It sounds absurd to say this. Almost more absurd to put it into practice in such detail. But for me it helped.

    I wonder if my issues were due to a flare, or whether something rewired in my brain or re-mylinization happened or what. But now my issues are trivial or non-existent compared to what they were 6 or whatever months ago. To me that "practice" and mentally working through the act of swallowing (again and again and again) helped dramatically.
    59M / RRMS / Dx1987 / Ocrevus

    Comment


      #3
      Hi Golgotha,

      Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I really appreciate all your great advice and for sharing your personal experience with dysphagia. There is no doubt that I can not become distracted when swallowing. I can't walk, talk, drive, breathe and still swallow well. I'm hoping things start to improve on their own because I don't want to do IV steroids again, especially with Covid around.

      Comment


        #4
        Hi polopuppy ~

        I'm sorry to learn that you have been dealing with the swallowing and esophageal issues.

        I have similar issues, but thankfully they are milder, at this time.

        When I eat, I must do it slowly, and have to be super focused on chewing thoroughly and swallowing in a deliberate manner.

        I must admit that I choke very often on my saliva, probably because I'm not focused or mindful when it's time to swallow.

        Polopuppy, I hope that your symptoms subside, and that the GI specialist, as well as therapy, are very helpful.

        Take Care
        PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
        ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

        Comment


          #5
          Hi Koko,

          I'm sorry you deal with these swallowing issues, too. My hope is that things will return to my baseline dysphagia and that I won't have to be worried that I am going to choke on food for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, it is a 7 week wait to see the GI specialist and the speech therapist. Maybe things will be better by then and I won't need their help. LOL.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by polopuppy View Post
            Maybe things will be better by then and I won't need their help. LOL.
            Yes, it could happen, polopuppy!
            PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
            ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

            Comment

            Working...
            X