I have M.S. and M.G., that being said, my neuro felt the M.G. was causing my swallowing to slow down since April and then stop completely in July.
I've been given 3 rescures of IVIG to bring me out of it but that didn't work.
He did a emg on my face and said my face was strong, so he sent me to a MG specialist and she said it is Not a neuro muscular problem thats causing my swallowing to be so bad.

Now we are back looking at the MS. He the Neuro had me go for a reg. 1.5 Mri and it didn't show any changes in 4 years so he fiqured its not the MS.
He finnally spoke to his Neuro partners in the group and they said I should have a 3T MRI done because it picks up more and clearer pictures if I have lesions in the brain stem area.

I'm hoping and praying this machine will give me the answer, good or bad, why I can't swallow to the point that I have had to live with a peg, feeding tube.
Has anyone had a 3T MRI. I don't do well in MRI machines but the doctor order some valium for me to take before going.

The Strange part of this case is that I can swallow when I go into a sleep state, other wise as soon as I'm awake I can't even swallow my saliva, very scary and annoying to have to keep spitting into a tissue so I don't choke.

I'v been told by the doctor that there is the conscious swallow and there is the unconscious swallow and they are on differant parts of the brain.
I could Not do the bariam swallow test, I have no signal going to my throat to swallow so it just runs down my throat and I choke. I have no gag reflex at all. I had a speech therpyist help me with Vital Stem for 3 months and there was no improvement, I just can't get a signal to my throat to swallow

How awful GrannyJo. I hope the MRI shows where the problem lies and your Doc can then find the right med/therapy to help you.

Let us know how it goes and in the meantime you are in my prayers.

GrannyJo,
How and what are you eating? Swallowing is something I'm always conscious of.

The 3t and the 1t feel exactly the same. Actually I think the 3t is a bit wider, so your arms are not slapped on top of your chest as you are slid into the machine.

Had the tech not told me, I would have never known.

I hope you get answers.

I use a feeding tube. I try to get at least 3 to 4 cans of liquid nutrition in each day. Its call jevity 1.5. It is like Ensure or Boost.

How awful for you. Has a speech therapist tried to help you with your swallow reflex? It's worth a try. They helped get my MIL reflex back, so she was able to get off the feeding tube.

I had the 3T. It's just like the lower strength MRI.

Hi, Yes I had 3 months 3x a week with a speech therapist, but I did not improve. She used an electric therapy called Vital Stem but I just could not swallow on command, its like there is no signal getting to my throat to swallow. Today has been a hard day for me, some days are better than other, I'm talking emotionally. The Holiday Family get togethers were So hard.
Plus my step son got married and had a Beautiful sit down dinner, I had to get up and take a walk to the ladies room just to get out of the way of the food and making people feel uncomfotable about eating in front of me.

Saturday is my neices birthday party and I usually love going to my family partys but its just very hard, but if I don't go I feel depressed that I'm not able to have special times with my husband and family.

I am a little afraid what the MRI Will find and or Not find, I'm very confused. I guess I need to stop giving it so much attension since theres nothing I could do about it right now.

GrannyJo4,

Wishing you some clear answers that will help w a plan to help you.

ANN

My friend also had MS and had a small boy way back. She swore she liked MRI's, it was alone time for her. Bring a CD you like, MRI does make banging noises but lie still and think "it can only last so long and then it's over and I won't have to do it again". Be sure to have thoughts you will use the time to think. You'll do great!! It's not so bad, just time consuming.

I will be sending good thoughts your way