Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Julie asks

Q: Is my incomplete swallowing related to my MS?

How can I tell if incomplete swallowing or minor choking episodes is related to my MS, or just a common occurence? Is an occasional inability to swallow something ever normal? These days, I find more often that something will hang up on the edge of my throat or even in my throat and my swallowing ability isn't strong enough to move it -- I end up coughing to dislodge it or grabbing some water to help wash it down.

I don't swallow big bites, do chew carefully and am a slow eater.

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Answers (2)

Amy Gurowitz, Health Guide

9/16/09 2:36pm

Hi Julie,

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing this symptom. It is in fact a known symptom of MS. Check out this link that describes the issues in better detail:

http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/swallowing_over.htm

I wasn't aware of the complicated factors involved in swallowing- though what you are describing is definitely reflected in this information. I'm sure that if you speak to your neurologist about it s/he will be able to direct you to the best way of coping with what must be a very challenging symptom. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have more concerns.

Good luck, I hope you feel better~

Julie

9/18/09 11:34am

Amy - Thank you for your reply and the link you provided. That was very helpful. I try to be careful when I eat so I don't choke up! The information in the link you said had some great advice in saying that my family should learn the heimlich manuever -- and that I should learn to do it to myself as well.

Jan Robinson

9/18/09 9:34am

Hello Julie, I also have this problem and tend to eat my food lightly mashed, there are foods that i find worse to swallow than others (chicken & Rice make me choke). I keep a drink with me all the time.

Do find some foods make you cough?? I cough with anything cool ie Ice cream ect.

Take Care Jan

Julie

9/18/09 11:40am

Thanks for your reply. I hadn't thought about specific foods... although... when I eat certain types of french fries I find that my throat wants to close up. I always thought that was sort of a heartburn response even though I don't typically suffer from heartburn. In any case, it's not a choking/coughing response so that's a little different.

I don't often go out to lunch with people because navigating eating and talking is a bad combination for me. It takes me too long to chew through a bite and swallow! I'm always conscious that I might choke. So when I am out, I usually get through half my food if I'm lucky and take a to-go box so I can finish later.

Jan Robinson

9/18/09 12:32pm

Thank you Julie for answering , just a quick question, ' do have problems with a dry mouth? my mouth & throat on my right side is semi numb and dry' I was left this after a relapes to the right side of my head / face and mouth 3 years ago. take care, Jan

Jan Robinson

9/18/09 12:32pm

Julie

9/18/09 8:02pm

Hi Jan:

No, I do not have dry mouth. I'm sorry that you have to deal with that. I can imagine it gives you a whole new challenge to deal with -- and it must be uncomfortable too. It must contribute terribly to swallowing/choking issues.

- Julie

Jan Robinson

9/19/09 5:40am

Hi Julie, It is very difficult as foods do not taste or feel the way it used to.I am sure this is the least of my symptoms .