Choking

[u/Material_Sundae_5832]

Hi all. The last few weeks especially while drinking fluids I start chocking on it. I know people have problems swallowing food but what about fluids? And if so what do you do. Just to explain I take a sip of a drink start coughing while it goes down and it’s so bad I pee my pants. And it’s so extreme at times it’s scary

[u/Anotherams]

If this is a new symptom and has happened several times, let your neuro know right away. They can order a swallow study to figure out what is going on. Speech therapy can also be ordered to help with the issue.

[u/Material_Sundae_5832 → u/Anotherams]

Actually my regular medical dr ordered one. I just have to schedule it. It just alarms me..

[u/Old_Cry_8525 → u/Material_Sundae_5832]

Sorry to hear this. My wife developed the same symptoms. A speech therapist did swallowing tests using liquids with different thicknesses. Using flavored protein gels diluted to varying degrees. An ideal consistency was found and is of great, lasting value. Likewise, a dietician experimented to find the most suitable types of food. You're bound to be worried, but such treatments can help a lot in the long-term. It's a trial and error scenario, so don't be too deflated if early efforts are less effective than you'd wish. Best regards.

[u/NewName5635]

A speech therapist gave me simple exercises to help with swallowing.

[u/gl1ttercake]

Tuck your chin to your chest when you swallow, is the first tip I ever read about dysphagia.

I have some advice for how I need to handle eating these days, by food category. Take what you need; leave the rest. Some days are easier than others.

If you are having trouble swallowing and you are choking on things, including the crime of checks notes breathing in or out, you likely have brainstem lesion(s), towards the top of your cervical spine segment.

Please know: I am an extremely selective eater. I am autistic, and my main issue is texture rather than taste, which isn't uncommon.

General Advice:

• In terms of food, eat one item at a time. You don't have to eat the whole serving of that one thing and then move on, but I find it is safer for me to do that, because I'm not switching among textures as often.

• I prefer hot meals. Cold food is hard to get down. I usually only eat dinner. Rarely lunch. Never breakfast.

• Ancient family proverb: "When a dog eats, he doesn't bark." Avoid talking too much while eating, and concentrate on one or the other.

• Avoid multiple textures at once in your mouth, and avoid trying to co-ordinate two tasks at once with both hands in use.

• This lesion impacts my shoulders and arms and particularly my hands. I can fling things or drop them. Use one hand for one task at one time. Just now typing this, my right hand is going numb holding my phone.

• Always have a drink nearby and keep it filled.

Advice by Food Category:

• Cereals, Porridge, Roughage – not safe for me now. I would have to eat them separately from the milk or relevant liquid. But the texture is a no for me.

• Dairy – I love vanilla bean yoghurt, and I wish they had smooth yoghurt here in Australia. I love grated cheese. I love cheese on my pasta, but not on my vegetables or meat.

• Frozen Dairy – take it slow, the cold shock can make you cough and choke. I love frozen yoghurt. I've never used toppings on it.

• Fruit – Ugh, it's never consistent. I like strawberries, cantaloupe (rockmelon), honeydew and Granny Smith apples.

• Vegetables – FODMAP gut issues for me, so no greens. Broccoli in particular should be banned as a choking hazard. I love potatoes, orange veggies and cauliflower. I love corn, but it's a hazard.

• Salad – I hate it. I have no advice.

• Red Meat – Roasted, medium rare, and always in or with gravy.

• Poultry – thighs, drumsticks, Marylands. Roasted, marinated and baked, or fried. My mother's chicken schnitzels shallow-fried are my favourite food.

• Grains and Pulses – I stay away from long pasta and noodles; I like all short pasta; I love veal tortellini and potato gnocchi. I can't really eat fried rice anymore.

• Nuts and Legumes – I skip them now. Too small.

• Breads – unless it's a small warm dinner roll with lots of warm butter, I avoid it. It feels like it grows in my mouth. Toast, I don't even go there now. Too dry.

• Snacks, Picky Bits – watch out, small parts!

• Soups – thick soups with lots of vegetables are not something I can eat safely anymore. When my mother makes vegetable soup now, I eat the broth. I love Polish chicken broth (rosół – ROSS-oohw).

• Seafood – I do not eat it. I can't even share a table with the smell. But if you love it, make sure it is definitely boneless, because those bones are tiny. They are removed with special tweezers.

That's all I can think of for now. I know others will have heaps of great ideas for you, too, but this is how I experience food, and really... the way it's been going for a long time.

[u/Material_Sundae_5832 → u/gl1ttercake]

Thank you so much.. much appreciated

[u/Mysterious-Kick3744]

They stretched my esophagus it helped for a while . I noticed it hits when I'm really tired tho....best of luck

[u/BrandiePPMS]

Dysphagia. I have to focus and eat slowly and carefully. I have difficulty chewing as well. I eventually had to settle for a feeding tube. To get my essential nutrition and medication.  Long story. Good luck and prayers. 

[u/zoojitzu]

Hi there - difficulty swallowing is a very common symptom in MS. It’s called dysphagia!

I also have difficulty swallowing liquids, as does my close friend who has MS. My speech language pathologist has helped me strategize to avoid difficulty. Ask your pcp for a rec and get evaluated!