I can swallow , but have to think about it and never did before. I have to make sure I chew well and a sandwich (the bread) can make a glommy mess that's hard to swallow. I have water bottles everywhere but lately it seems to choke me more when I drink. I use straws in them now, that helps me some.

I catch myself not breathing thru my nose when I drink sometimes and gasp when I lower the glass.

Mine does that when speaking, and swallowing. Alot of what i try to swallow comes out my nose. It's gross with pills.

I have both MS-choking issues, and throat-closing allergies (especially to mold and feta cheese). I can try to explain the difference between the two, at least for me.

With MS, my choking is like a sudden blocking, like when you choke on water (imagine drowning ). It can happen with or without food and liquids, and most often when I am laying on my back. It makes me cough, but clears reasonably quickly . . . right back to pre-choking status. (I do know of some PwMS who actually end up with something "stuck" 1/2 way down though, but I think this would be a fairly distinct sensation if it happens).

With allergies, it is a slightly slower process, and it feels like my airway is progressively getting smaller/closing off. I swallow a lot, and get a sense of anxiety (adrenaline??). It is NOT something I can "cough" away, and since it progressively gets worse, I NEED to get at antihistimines (Benadryl) to manage it. When I take them, the sensation lets up fairly quickly.

That's my experience.

Cherie

I've gone through spells where I've had trouble swallowing. Almost like I'm not coordinated enough or forgot how to swallow food or drink. I was told by my neuro it was likely MS related, because sometimes other symptoms would worsen along with it.

Cherie
Thanks for posting this. Mine will close up with no warning and open up quickly. Doesn't matter if I am eating or not.

It reminds me of what it would be like to have a piece of tissue paper placed over your mouth and sucking air through it. There seems to be a pop! And I can breath again. It is scary that is for sure!

I have the most trouble with thin liquids like water. I also have to be careful with foods too. Must be MS related?

LA

yup this is exactly what is happening to me! its here and gone in a few sec and then i am fine..


ahh so nice to know this is something that goes along with the MonSter and probably not some other problem i really don't need..

Well, I'm glad that offers some comfort, PunkD.

HA!

Your response reminds me of when I had my stroke-like incident in Dec, which included the inability to move one side of my face, talk, or think clearly. My doc though it was a MS-thing, but sent me for all these tests in case it was a TIA or stroke. When everything came back ok . . . I was relieved that it was "just the MS".

It's a rollercoaster ride, for sure.

Cherie

I have gagged on my own spit! (not very attractive, I am sure.)

There are some things I don't like to eat alone because sometimes I start choking and go into a huge coughing attack. (also not very attractive.)

This is one symptom that seems to come on for a while, then I might not have problems with it for a long while too. That is even true when I am laying on my back . . . sometimes I will wake up choking, and other times I roll over and find myself on my back in the morning, but didn't choke at all during the night.

This has been an ongoing problem though, since about 5 yrs into the disease process, even though I've had allergies and big sinus problems all my life. I guess it could be related to sinus drainage in some way, it does kinda feel like I am choking on something drowning me, but I don't know how someone would determine that when it is so intermittent.

How bad are your allergies? Do you take daily meds for them? Any chance you have a sinus infection?

Just thinking about other options . . .

Cherie