Swallowing Issues?
 

Does anyone have difficulty swallowing? I haven't had a bad problem but recently I've noticed that sometimes I get "stuck" when trying to swallow. It can be just normal swallowing that you do when you aren't eating or drinking anything.....or it can be while eating or drinking.

It's like it just stops mid-swallow....and I can't continue. This doesn't happen every time or even everyday. But I have noticed it. And sometimes when I'm eating and it decides to do this it almost chokes me.....or it feels like the food or drink is going down the wrong way.

As a result I've started eating much slower.....and taking much smaller bites. Which, in itself, isn't a bad thing. I have no reason to rush through my food. But I've just started eating very slowly and taking smaller bites so alleviate the possibility of choking.

Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this. I haven't heard much about this topic.

I've noticed a few times where food goes out of control on me and I have to quickly stop and try to get it to stop going down my throat before I choke. Choked a couple of times now on my food.

Noticed it got better a little bit this week when I started a prednisone taper. Inside of my mouth was kind of numb in a few places and I never really noticed it before.

I'd looked up swallowing issues and there are ways you can help yourself swallow by turning your head, or leaning your head forwards or back. I've been experimenting with that when I've felt like I'm having problems.

I take smaller bites now, and eat a lot slower than everyone else that I eat with. My dad wolfs his food down, my mom and I both eat slower.

I have that happen randomly. It can happen a few times a week, or not for a few weeks. It can happen with hot food, cold food, or just spit. It's as though my throat or esophagus spasms, and maybe that IS what happens.

Sometimes I can just wait a few seconds, try to relax, and let it dissipate. Other times, if I'm trying to swallow food, it's sort of like GERD on steroids. It won't go down or come up, and it almost feels as though my chest is clenching. Or something.

I occasionally experience this also. Yesterday, at our department luncheon, I had trouble swallowing a bite of Italian beef. I was afraid I was going to start choking in front of everyone. I had to swallow a few times to get the bite down. After that I took realy small bites. I need to remember to do this all the time. I have noticed that I am also eating slower than most of the people around me these days.

Hi Kelly.:)

I am always aware of when it's time to swallow and get myself in position for it. I've choked to many times, not to be careful.

I've noticed that I have to sit straight and looking forward and maybe lower my had a little. If I turn my head to the left or right and swallow, I'll choke, every time.

It's not something that is a constant problem, but MS has made me constantly aware.

Same here. I was diagnosed with 'abnormal swallowing' by my dentist well before seeing any neurologists.

I experience the same as you've described. There's no logic or rhyme/reason to it.

I was told to...
 

One is to take small bites and chew thoroughly.

Tip chin towards chest and swallow.

Follow with a drink of water.

These are tips I was told after I took a swallowing test; sorry but I cannot remember the exact name of the test.

Take care.

I randomly cannot coordinate my own swallowing. like I simply cannot get my tongue to get in sync with the rest of the muscles, and then I get a lump in my throat that I cant swallow past. so far mine has only lasted a few minutes each time, but scares me! I have swallowed the wrong way so many times. I scare myself to think I may choke.

0357's tips are valid.
i've had some swallowing issues for some time. my dr had sent me for a swallowing eval and she gave me the same tips.

i don't swallow well at all if my head is back and especially if the food is dry, like chicken.

i've learned to always have a beverage handy when eating.

Yep same here, I had the same test and was given the same advise.

Dry foods are also really difficult for me. Especially breads, I love dinner rolls but can't eat them anymore.

Actually on my test they were able to see when it got stuck and had me try to swallow again, then drink water.

I hope you find something that helps.

Gosh, Kel, I'm having the same problem!! I do occasionally choke on things when my swallowing's not right, but lately, when I try to swallow saliva, it's as if I have no ability to swallow at all!! I told my neuro about it, but he didn't seem concerned about it:rolleyes:
When it occured yesterday, DH ran and got me a glass of water and made me drink it...after he made me try to relax.
I'm going to try to remember tips given here, esp about having head forward a bit. I'm convinced it's a disconnect from the brain/spinal cord to the throat.

When I have one of those spasms (or whatever it is), water does me absolutely no good. It won't go anywhere either. The food can be dry, moist, or liquid. All I can do is wait for it to release, try to stay calm, andremind myself that "yes, you can breathe, it's a separate thing".

It may be different for you, but for me, water is thing I choke on most. The specialist told me to touch my chin to my chest when this happens. It closes off the airway so you can swallow without choking. It is scary when it happens. I try not to eat or drink around people who don't know my situation because they tend to panic when I do this, and it happens at least once a day anymore. Good luck finding something that helps.

Kelly,
 

I went through a period of time, for several weeks actually, BEFORE I even knew I had MS. Food would stop mid-swallow. I was working at the time and would have to hurry to the bathroom because the only way to handle it was to get it to come back up. Because it wasn't going on down.

I didn't know what was going on. So I would take tiny tiny bites, thinking I was just getting in a hurry trying to eat too fast.

But now I realize I was in a relapse. I haven't had that problem since then, thankfully.

I am sorry you are having this problem. :hug: I hope it gets better soon.

I have bad swallowing issues, but have had help from my PT specialist. If I tip my chin downward when swallowing, that helps alot. Also there is this stuff called "thick-it" that I put in water and juice to keep me from choking on thin liquids. As for pills, I crush them up and put them in applesauce (ask the dr first because you can't do this with some medications)

I hope I helped a little.

Hugs*

That's right, I completely forgot about thick-it. The doctor that did the test also told me that if you are having difficulty swallowing pills, just put them in jam or jelly, whole, and they should go down better. I tried it and it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it wont for anyone else.

Thick it has saved me from getting dehydrated, which had become a very serious problem. Not to sound scary, but I also have one other problem that I think I should at least warn everyone about.

It's called "asperation pneumonia" (sp), and I get it because my throat muscles don't respond right, and sometimes food and liquids go into my lungs.

When I get this, I get a heavy feeling in my chest, and it hurts to breathe. I get dizzy when I stand, and then get a horrible cough.

This is very dangerous, and if you ever suspect that you have this you need to see your family doctor who will most likely perform a chest x-ray if he suspects that this may be what you have.

hi, i take small bites and chew-chew- chew then swallow, and just 2-3 pills at a time.mark

I've started doing this, too. I think it probably helps with digestion, too. Plus, as an added bonus, I usually get tired before I've eaten everything so my calorie intake is less.

My DH gets that occasionally (he is not dxd with anything). He doesn't say anything, but I can usually tell. I tell him he has "vapor lock" lol! :D

Yeah, its happened to me, too, and I know its not funny. :o

I have difficulty swallowing food and sometimes drinks. It seems like the swallowing function just stops in the middle of trying to swallow, leaving me in a panic. Then it will "release" and I am able to finish the swallow. This has been going on for over a month, every time I eat.

A friend of mine had a similar type of problem and told me what helped him. I believe he received the advice from a chiropractor. Take your thumb and press hard on your jaw bone, I press on a spot kind of between my ear and chin, maybe a little closer to my chin. I do this while I am eating and once in a while through out the day. It has helped me. Not sure why it works, but it is worth a try.

Good luck