[Jumage]

My 89 year old mother was diagnosed with Parkinsons 5 years ago. She has weakness and tremors and walks with a cane but the disease has mainly affected her throat. We first noticed that she had slurred speech. At this point she has a feeding tube (for 6 months now) but still likes to (says she needs to) take some liquid by mouth. She stays with thicker liquids. My concern and the reason I'm here is she has been having frequent choking spells (whether or not she takes liquid by mouth). Of course, they scare her and the rest of us too. She's had the swallow study and various exercises to do. She's not very co operative about the exercises any more saying they don't help anyway (which she says via a dry erase board because we are no longer able to understand 99 percent of what she says orally). Her mind is sharp, her attitude and appreciation of life great. She has told us if she chokes and her heart stops, no resuscitation but she's also said she's willing to try whatever to avoid or overcome these choking spells too. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to help her, what to do for her and what she might still be able to do for herself? We realize it's end stage but she's not ready to give up and neither are we. Hope is important. Is there surgery or anything to keep her throat clear and her comfortable?

[vlhperry]

I don't want your post to go by unanswered. It sounds like your mother has done everything that has ever been suggested to me. If her speech is unintelligible, it may be a problem with her teeth or dentures? The tongue is a muscle and may make it difficult to form words.

It must be a blessing that your mother is such an optimist. Bless you and your family.

Peace be with you in the New Year,
Vicky

[bandido1]

I am a 79 yr old late stage PWP with occasional choking problems but no feeding tube as yet. However, I did recently have a tube inserted to drain an intestinal blockage and in weeks following the tube removal experienced some brief choking from time to time. Try lemon ice--teaspoon before each swallow session and throughout the "meal". good luck!

[jeanb]

Jumage,

I have a relative with end-stage Parkinson's. Every time he ate or drank anything, he aspirated into his lungs and had recurring pneumonia. So he is now on a feeding tube for food, liquid & meds. He takes nothing by mouth any more.

Jean