Hi its now been just over a year since having MG but only had double vision at first then after many tests was diagnosed then its been slowly becoming worse ................. Then i'm feeling lucky to of had it easy .
So i was eating my dinner with a drink of water no problems eating but when i drank the water it was blocked and i couldn't swallow at all not sure what hapened as it seemed to go somewere for a moment then shot out i just didn't expect it something i know now to becareful doing i was having slight problems swallowing Alan

Yep, that is really scary! To this day I "drink" my liquids with a spoon and lots of ice - that way I can chew on it - no pure liquids still!!!!

There is some stuff you can buy to add to your drinks to thicken it up - you may want to ask your dr about it.........

Other than that - are you ok? I'm still @ the hospital, but will feel better really soon!!!!!

ERin

Hi Alan,
I used two techniques to improve my drinking capabilities:
- Use a straw and sip small quantities at a time,
- Your chin should be close to your chest, no more than a clenched fist in-between,
that position opens up at a maximum your throat, chin up on the contrary tends to close the throat and makes it more difficult to swallow.
Also cold liquids are easier to swallow than warm (not to mention hot) ones…
I had also liquids going up, i.e. passing through the nose, water was OK, but orange juice, milk or wine was really unpleasant!
My swallowing problems started with liquids, then solids and I had to go to mixed foods, at least for the hard ones, meat for instance.
The good thing is that everything is back to normal since several months.
Maurice.

Hey Maurice!!!

Great ideas! I noticed that when I was having problems swallowing, lowering my chin to my chest really helped...............

I still use my ice milk/tea/etc.....I've found the cold really helps my throat!!!

Erin

Hey thanks Maurice I'm seeing my Dr next week so should also get to start the steriods its good to be reasured from other mg'ers who have gone thro so much ............ I've always had a real fear of choking or being sick but now its just understanding what may hapen and then again things will get beter.
Hey Erin your best med' is Mike and Devon they get right inside you and that is special
Alan

Alan,
Since you see your neuro pretty soon and are about to start another treatment (steroid or else), you may find some info at this link
http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/mtime/mgrx.html
about the different possibilities, pros and cons and also some ideas about the time required for a medication to start to act.
For exemple, in my case, it took Prednisone 5 months to get rid of most of my symptoms and I was under Mestinon+Prednisone+Cellcept right from the start. Fortunately the improvements begun after only about 5 to 6 weeks.
IVIG and plasma exchanges were of no use to me.
Also remember that not two MG'ers seem alike… and that MG often means patience…
Maurice.

Hey Alan! You are right - my fellas make me feel much better!

I bet you can't wait to get your roids! For me they were awesome!!!! Granted, I was manic @ 80 mgs, but at least I was able to swallow, eat, etc! At first, I would only take 1/2 a tsp. of liquid, cuz' I was so afraid of choking, but now am able to spoon in tbl. sp. after tbl. sp. of milk/ju8ice, etc, as long as I have ice in my mouth, so I am chewing - hey whatever works!!!!

I think I"m going to be in a few extra days - my neuro just wants to make sure all is well. I miss my son so much! I miss my dogs so much!

Can't wait to hear from you! Take it really easy til you talk to your doc!!!!


Erin

Hi Erin
okay i was really scared when it hapened i'm now slowly learning what you have to go thro
Hey Erin will you have to keep going to hospital every few months .
Hope you get home real soon
take care Alan

Hey Alan! I know how scary it is - believe me - but with meds it should go away soon!

Are you on the steroids yet?

I hope that this is my last time for the plasma exchange, but only time will tell! It was gross, but not as horrible as last time - though they did have to cut through a lot of scar tissue and that HURT!!!!

I should go home Friday! Mike has been @ the hospital with me and my son was here yesterday.......I was so proud of him! I couldn't wait to show off my "baby"..............

I'm here for you if you want to talk!!!!

Take care!
ERin