Swallowing, Barium and Me

[essdipity]

Finally got the report from my modified barium swallow study. No big surprises, as they'd told me informally what they found. That included 'evidence of esophageal dysmotility,' also 'one episode of trace laryngeal penetration with immediate retraction.' This means that during one water swallow, I started to inhale it instead, but it stayed above the vocal folds and was ejected immediately. That part is a bit scary. Don't like choking, and don't like lung infections! However, this was rated only a 2 on a scale of 1 to 8, so not a big deal at this point.

Lots more verbiage, then the Summary includes, 'Strongly recommend GI consult or transnasal esophagoscopy with ENT for further evaluation of esophageal findings.' Well, I'm willing to see my ENT and to go through the transnasal whatsis, which Quix tells us is 'supposed' to be a rather simple procedure involving a thin tube put into the esophagus through the nose. But I draw the line at GI tests with significant anesthesia. Things on the swallowing front have simmered down, a lot and occur only seldom anyway (even if they can be horribly painful), so maybe the likelihood of getting anything conclusive is slim. Besides, I'm so sick of tests and appointments!

I know there are even more procedures than these, but are any likely to say whether what I've experienced is a CNS problem?

Comments gratefully received.

ess

[essdipity]

I'm afraid I don't know any more than what I posted. When I've seen my ENT (who's a doll!) I'll ask him all these questions. Saving this thread as a Favorite.

Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather coming up!

Hugs galore,
ess

[Heather3418]

Is there any methods of strengthening the eshopagus muscle, after a weakness is found?  And if this is coming from messages from the central nervous system, I would guess that no amount of strengthening would help.  I just wondered if there was any physcial therapy that could be done for that problem?  Maybe a dumb question, but I have started having troubles in the same area and would like to know for future reference.

Thank you very much dearheart.

Many Huggie Wuggies,
Heather

[saveone]

Ess I just underwent the endoscopy last week under anesthesia.  The reason my Upper GI w/ barium swallow indicated esophageal motility disorder.  While they were down there they dilated/stretched my esophagus.  I still choke.  It is not in my esophagus, or I don't think it is, but in the back of my throat.  Even tho they did the endocscophy and dilated my esophagus, the gastroenterologist said he felt it was more than likely my throat muscles were weak.

I also had the transnasal esophagoscopy.  There was nothing to it.  The worst part was they put a syringe in one side of my nose that was filled with a gelled litacan (sp?).  I had to pull that through my nasal passage.

Then they numb my throat with a gargle and threaded the scope through my nasal passage down my throat.  They gave me water to sip once the scope cleared the back of my throat.  Sipping the water allowed my esophagus to pull the scope/tube down my esophagus.  It was really simple with no pain or choking.

I will not get the test results until the 12th.  Oh yea the same day as the endoscopy I got my first colonostophy.  I don't remember a thing after they told me to roll to my side.

I also have to say that everyone at the Highlands Regional Medical Center are the best ppl I have ever met.  They always explain everything and do all they can to decrease my anxiety and to make me comfortable.  I feel blessed to have them.

CMM I am sorry your experience was so bad.

Personally I am trying to rule out everything that has a physical cause that is not related to demylenating disease.  Of course as he said, weak throat muscle could be the result of such.

Lung infections or choking can be very dangerous.  I would encourage you to do whatever is necessary to keep you safe.  After all we don't want to lose you.

terry

[Lulu54]

Ess,
I don't know how they would connect the dots between the CNS and the test results - it would mainly be hunches and guesses I would think.  Does anyone else out there have a guess?  

Lu

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

Well, I wish you the best of luck with that test. If you are losing motility in your esophagus, how do they expect you to swallow a tube? Been there, done that. I wasn't able to swallow the tube, it was too hard and I just did not have the muscle contractions to get it down. I guess I should add that I had the motility test done as well, years ago, and there's one phase of peristalsis that just does not work. Luckily (ha, "luckily") I also have a hiatal hernia. I say "luckily", because they did an esophageal dilatation (not only was my esophagus paralyzed and not working properly, it was also narrowing (I suppose from lack of use of those muscles?). If it weren't for the hiatal hernia, they say I would choke to death. Thanks to gravity for pulling all that food that I shove in my face on down to my stomach! lol! :)

Anyway, sorry for getting off track. As I said, I was unable to swallow the tube and ended up having the guy that was trying to perform the test YELLING at me! I left in tears. I do hope you have a better experience!