OT maybe? choking, need to eat, this nuerological?

[RazCarver]

Maybe a silly question but maybe someone has an idea or experience to share?

Since March 11 I've been having trouble with choking while eating and sometimes with liquids. I thought maybe it was because I had a weird tongue spasm, tremor or something, that day and it still is doing that. seems food gets thrown down my throat before I am ready to swallow.

Finally decided it wasn't going away fast enough. good thing is I've lost 15 pounds. :-) but thought I'd call the neurologist. then this weekend start coughing and running a slight temp of 102. so went as a walk-in and saw the PA at my PCP office. He check to see if I had the flu and I don't. seems my allergies have turned into asthmatic bronchitis. so am on antibiotic, inhaler, albuterol breathing treatments, and low dose predisone.  

I found I don't choke so much with liquids if taking small tiny sips. Good thing the antibiotic is liquid. Try explaing the need for that for a 51 yr old. whole other tale. lol. I understand the feeling week from being sick, increased heart rate, and not eating. but i just cant seem to choke down pills I need too. tried and tried to get my dilantin down and can't. maybe i need to pretend I'm not trying and it will sneak down my throat.

so now have the stabbing hot poker  up my leg and now my arm. ok, so maybe have to live with that for now.
real problem is the antibiotic is making me sick, but can't eat and not suppose to drink milk with antibiotics right? so what can I do? any ideas?

oh, and could this choking problem be neurological? or just the illness? it started before however. hmm. thoughts?

:-) yes I also have run at the mouth, get side tracked, while posting disease.

really am thankful for any ideas !

Raz

[LATW]

I have  dysphagia.  Something called a "nosey cup" works well for me.

Just google "nosey cup" and you will see what kind of cup it is.

It allows you to drink with a bit of a chin tuck.

LA

[RazCarver]

yes, the PA listened to my lungs and said i was crackling. I already knew that. that's why he gave me the inhaler. my PCP must have talked with him because he gave me samples of  albuterol to use in - ahhh, that breathing treatment machine thingy. she knows i have one because i used it for mom.  fever has gone down some and 102 i don't really worry about much.

feel less nauseous since getting some milk with baby cereal in it down. no wonder babies spit food out and my doggie didn't eat it.

thanks for being so kind and helpful
Raz

[jensequitur]

I hear that applesauce is good if you're having problems with liquids.  

You're probably having a pseudo-relapse from the fever.  Perhaps you could take some liquid Tylenol or something to take your fever down, if you're having trouble with pills.  

I went through about a week when I had to watch my swallowing reflex, because I kept aspirating a little bit of the liquid when I took a drink.  It got old really quick!

[LisaJF]

I would also suggest at the moments you are experiencing dysphagia that you thicken your liquids at that time :).  Soft foods is best too.  I'm sure you're smart, just that we all are focused on our symptoms and not thinking too much of else at times.  Has nothing to do with intelligence but to deal with what you're going through at the moment.  

Chest xray would have proven if you aspirated food/fluid into your lungs and I find it odd that they did not order one for you to have with a 102. fever.  Did the PA even listen to your lungs -- front and back?  Take your pulse ox?  Something?

If you're still having swallowing issues, thicken your milk up. Have an icecream shake or milk shake (see I brain farted).

You're most welcome, let us know how you're doing!

Lisa

[RazCarver]

Thanks Liza !

I do tend to use straw to keep from spilling stuff. I'll try like you said. I have ENT for hearing loose so can go to him any time. haven't been in a long time. never thought about him doing anything but ears. don't know why. just not smart I guess. I'll check to see if he is on my new insurance plan.

no I didn't get a chest xray this time. didn't get to see my primary because she doesn't do walk-ins. her PA does and he is new. Not even sure they have an xray dept still. they moved and have changed a lot.

I got online chat with pharmacy and they said I could take cefdinir antibiotic with milk.  :) i miss my milk.  so thinking i can thicken it just a little with something. maybe soak crackers in in or something. have to go check out what i might have.
you know that was cool - I  didn't know they had online chat.

anyway thanks again Lisa I just am not thinking straight at all maybe.

Raz

[LisaJF]

Hello Raz and welcome to this wonderful forum.

With dysphagia, there can be a few reasons for its etiology (causes).  It can be neurological, problems with your esophagus or if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), etc.  Perhaps your MD should refer you to an ENT (Ear nose throat) specialist if this persists.

What I am surprised at is that you did not have aspiration pneumonia due to choking on thin liquids and the temp of 102....Did your primary do a chest xray?

When you're having bad moments like that (ie: choking on thin liquids) do not drink from straws and keep your chin down toward your chest (as low as you can) when you're tipping the glass to your lips to drink.  

If the antibiotic is making you nauseous and/or vomiting, I would call your pharmacy where you got it from and speak to the pharmacist in regard to this.  If she/he feels that you are having a reaction, she can call your doctor and have him prescribe another antibiotic.  However, depending on what antibiotic you're taking, it depends on what you should do.  If I were you, I'd call your pharmacist and ask them what "CAN YOU DO" in relation to eating prior to taking the antibiotic.

Be well and let us know how you're doing.

Lisa