Safe foods for the spasming throat

[johnnymutt]

Seems I'm on a thread starting roll today, I'll try to back it down a notch after this one, hehe.

I've been having some good spasticity in my throat and stomach here lately. I've found that almost anything I eat, either finds it's way into my left lung, or coming out of my nose. The aspiration obviously causes me to start coughing pretty quickly. Sometimes I can get it out immediately, and sometimes not. Coming out the nose is just gross, unless some sees it, then it's funny lol!

So my question is, to any of you that deal with this, or have dealt with it in the past; what have you found to be a food that causes no issues.

Just FYI, I made some sushi today, and let me tell you, I think rice is #1 on the do not eat list!!!

Thanks for any imput

Johnny

[supermum_ms]

I was having a bit of a problem swallowing not that long ago, rice is definitely a no no! I also found anything that was crumbly would make me cough, choke and splutter. Meat ended up creating a problem with talking, anything i had to chew for any length of time just exhausted my muscles. It made swallowing harder and harder, then I had the added bonus of not being able to talk without the stuttery slurrs, great fun, not!

I ended up eating pasta spirals, bows, anything pasta because it needed no muscle to eat. The texture of the pasta didn't make me cough and it wasn't something that got stuck. You do need to be creative because of the boredom aspect but it did help limit the issues. I dont know about you but when its at its worst, even liquids dont go down like they should, its a process of thinking through each step to get something down.

I hope it doesn't last long!!!!

Cheers........JJ

[summerluvr]

someone who was in my hosptial room had a few strokes and couldn't swallow well, so she was on a soft food diet.  Stuff like jello and fruit gels.  Instead of drinking juice they thickened it slightly.

[jensequitur]

Heh.... "Rice - a great snack for when you want to eat like 3,000 of something..."

[jensequitur]

I have a friend that had a problem with their tongue, so they ate stuff like mashed potatoes - the consistency kept it from sliding around until they were ready to swallow.

[COBOB]

I have a friend who is a speech therapist who suggested that is it less about the type of food and more about the consistency (or viscosity.) If chewed meat is too thick, move towards mashed tatters, then on to liquids.  Find the consistency that you can deal with and use a blender to get whatever you want to that consistency.  He suggested that dry particles like rice and cereal might set off a coughing/gagging fit, but cream of rice or oatmeal may work fine.  

I don't have this problem, so I really don't know.  Most MS centers have access to PTs/OTs/or Speech Pathologists that handle swallowing disorders.  You can also try your local MS chapter.