[dea1238]

Hi there again. I am putting this thread again in hope someone else has similar problems concerning swallowing and wants to share their experience....

[en bloc]

Hi Dea,

There were 5 pages of posts in the last thread and I think many of them were quite helpful, particularly in regards to testing. There are many causes of swallowing problems, so it would best if you had more testing to first identify the exact nature of the problem...then causes might be easier to figure out.

GERD, neuropathy are among the causes. Here's link to Mayo's site on difficulty with swallowing. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dif...SECTION=causes Hopefully, this will be helpful.

I have problems with swallowing...due to neuropathy. Water and thin liquids are worse then foods. I just make sure my head is not tilted back when taking a drink. I was told by a physical therapist to keep the chin tucked downward to help with swallowing problems.

I know this can be scary, but anxiety about it might be making it worse. I would ask for the swallow study (with the flouriscope) I mentioned in the first thread.

[dea1238]

Originally Posted by en bloc

Hi Dea,

There were 5 pages of posts in the last thread and I think many of them were quite helpful, particularly in regards to testing. There are many causes of swallowing problems, so it would best if you had more testing to first identify the exact nature of the problem...then causes might be easier to figure out.

Ok, I saw it but none of that actually helped a lot...sorry..

GERD, neuropathy are among the causes. Here's link to Mayo's site on difficulty with swallowing. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dif...SECTION=causes Hopefully, this will be helpful.

I saw that earlier... quite helpful but also scary...

I have problems with swallowing...due to neuropathy. Water and thin liquids are worse then foods. I just make sure my head is not tilted back when taking a drink. I was told by a physical therapist to keep the chin tucked downward to help with swallowing problems.

That thing keeping the chin tucked downward... I actually realized it for myself... it does help and I am kind of more sure of myself that food is actually going where it supposed to go... don't you think so... it kind of relaxes the whole throat..or is it just me??

I know this can be scary, but anxiety about it might be making it worse. I would ask for the swallow study (with the flouriscope) I mentioned in the first thread.

Thanks, I know my scary thoughts are making it worse...but I cannot help myself sometimes... That is the main reason of my coming to this site... Find people with who I could share my problems, fears,...etc.

Also, I am going to make barrium swallow test tommorrow morning... can they tell anything about the problem after they do it?? I also read that pn can cause such problems... I am sick and worried with all that...
Sorry if it gets annoying...

[en bloc]

I am glad you're having the barium swallow. Hopefully it will include thin liquid, thick liquid, pill, and cracker...all under flouroscopy. If so, the radiologist (not just a tech) will be right there watching the test as it's performed. This way results are immediate.

PN can cause difficulty with swallowing. He should be able to give you at least some thoughts on what is causing it (due to your history) after he sees what type of problem you're having. Don't try to correct the problem (tucking chin) during the test. You want the problem to present itself during the test.

Please let us know how you do and what the doctor says.

[mrsD]

GERD is so common! I have even seen 5 yr olds with GERD today.

GERD is a lifestyle problem predominately. But yes, it may be
a PN thing or an autoimmune problem like Myasthenia Gravis.
In RARE cases it can be a scary thing... but in the beginning one should not get all frightened about this possibility.

Most GERD has to do with poor intake of essential fatty acids which protect the lining of the stomach and esophagus. Use of acid blocking drugs daily can contribute to this. Gas from reflux of gas producing foods also contribute to GERD.

If you have problems swallowing, your doctor should evaluate you for mechanical problems in the stomach, and life style factors. It is not a cause for extreme concern in the beginning.

I know you are worried.... but there are steps to evaluate this problem. You have to be patient and go thru those in a systematic way, with your doctor.

[dea1238]

Originally Posted by en bloc

I am glad you're having the barium swallow. Hopefully it will include thin liquid, thick liquid, pill, and cracker...all under flouroscopy. If so, the radiologist (not just a tech) will be right there watching the test as it's performed. This way results are immediate.

PN can cause difficulty with swallowing. He should be able to give you at least some thoughts on what is causing it (due to your history) after he sees what type of problem you're having. Don't try to correct the problem (tucking chin) during the test. You want the problem to present itself during the test.

Please let us know how you do and what the doctor says.

En Block, first of all, thank you for caring...

I have done it...Only with liquid stuff (white and awful) standing, lying on my side and on my back... Radiologist says that exam finding will be finished tomm. p.m. in paper... In not so much words what he told me that all is ok... I swallowed it with no problem really..he said that my stomach is lowered (??) and that could be one of the problems generally... that I am too thin..need to stop smoking and get some weight...
All in all, I will be smarter tommorrow when I see it in reading...
I am paranoic maybe..he said that everything is ok... would he tell me immidiately if he found something..bad... what do you think??

[en bloc]

The video fluoroscopic swallow study is different then the barium swallow. The video study uses food and pills as well to simulate all substances as well as thin & thick liquids.

At least the barium swallow even does different positions. He WOULD have told you then if something was really wrong. I'm sure it was fine. You'll feel better when you see it in writing.

Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the rest of the day. Hopefully this put your mind at ease a little. Best to you.