Swallowing Issues and Stress

[lilmiss1999]

I have a couple questions regarding some things that have recently come up.

First I was wondering if anyone here has noticed a big difference in symptoms declining after taking some time off.

I am on a short term medical leave due to my fatigue, headaches, and tremors. It has been almost a week since I have had to deal with daily stress at a job (besides all my other Wife and Mother duties) and having to perform like I am not in pain.

I almost lost my job due to the fact that I have such trouble focusing. They seemed to be very understanding at first but that quickly stopped.

I am waiting to see if this may help a bit but not sure…… I still get an increase in the above symptoms if I do too much (Even cleaning the house) At least now I can lay down and take a nap (I have had a lot of those lately) Any experiences would be helpful. Not sure if there is a connection between the daily grind and my issues.

Second is that I have now lost my gag reflex and some feeling in the back of my throat.

I have always had a good gag reflex which made it hard while brushing my teeth and tongue and now...Nothing.

I haven’t really had a problem choking on things yet.

What I have now realize is that I have to make sure I chew food towards the front of my mouth because if it gets too far back it just goes down without me feeling it. I was eating cherries the other day and doing my normal eat around the pit and then spit it out and I swallowed half the cherry with the pit and didn’t realize it till it was gone. I didn’t choke thank goodness but that it scary.  My NL wants me to keep an eye on it but that is all she said.

Thank you for any advice or feedback. This has been a great place to come to.

Jen

[*Stormy*]

Just wanted to say with no gag reflex (especially losing it so recently) you definitely should get referred to a specialist or find one yourself!!

My NS said on my report that an absence gag reflex is a hallmark sign of damage being caused from Chiari...with that information, now is the time to push to get the proper treatment. Having that symptom is what finally got a lot of people to listen to me!

Carolyn

[selmaS]

Hi...chairians should not have one unless it is done by a Dr that is aware u have chiari and knows he must draw the CSF slowly to avoid a problem.....and the only time this is done is to look for other related issues...such as ICP, MS, infection.

U need a skilled person to do the LP as it can if drawn too fast cause ur herniation to be pulled down further.

"selma"

[lilmiss1999]

Hello....I will have to look into my insurance.

I have thought about sending my MRI to a specialist to see what they say.

My optomologist said today after reading the notes sent from the NL that pressure behind the eyes can cause some of the issues there and suggested a LP. How are those with Chiari? I have heard both good and bad. Maybe that will show extra pressure....I dont know, not looking forward to that.

[selmaS]

Hi...does ur insurance  require a referral? If not, ask for copies of ur MRI and send to a chiari specialist urself...not all require a referral....it is more an insurance thing.

I would hope that they don't ignore this too much longer for ur sake...push for more tests if u can.

"selma"

[lilmiss1999]

Yes the lack of gag is new. It has been 12 days since i  had that reflex while brushing my tounge.

I too feel better when I am able to take a nap. I have noticed my tremors are not as bad.

Another appt. with NL tomorrow to go over the testing of last week and today. Ruled out hormones and eyes causing my problems. Maybe i will finally get a referal to a Chiari specialist. Dont think they can ignore it much longer.

[selmaS]

...hmmmmm well that is a good thought...not sure, but could be.....

[*Stormy*]

Yes, I was shocked when I went to the NS and he noticed that I had no gag reflex at all...I had no idea but like you mentioned, I noticed that I was being really careful with how I swallowed food. It's like an inner instinct kicked in to protect myself...I noticed that I was taking a lot of care in how I chewed..

I have not regained my gag reflex back since surgery and I still seem to have the same issues with swallowing

Definitely for me, my symptoms are better if I take it easy and have a nap that day. Even my walking is better. But if I go out for  the morning and am on my feet a lot, then I can guarantee that I will have a headache and lots of pain. It is too bad b/c I feel to be able to do stuff with my kids that I am always trading one for the other.

Selma- I wonder if it is the same...holding in some water is like a built in instinct so that you don't choke..I know if I don't take little sips of liquid I will start choking on it.

Carolyn

[selmaS]

HI Jen...if it is a new symptom then yes....it is progressing.....I hadn't even noticed mine was gone until someone mentioned it here and I tried to brush my tongue further back and was able to go pretty far down !!!

I wonder if that is y I find I do not swallow all of my drink?....something with the loss of the gag reflex and not being aware of what is going down?

[lilmiss1999]

Thank you for all of the information.

I know my symptoms are not as troubling as others here but do you think that the loss of gag reflex could mean things are progressing?

I do hope that some time off will help as long as I dont over do it. That in itself can be hard when fatigue comes on so quickly at times.

I really do appreciate all the advice and answers. Everything has been so helpful.

[selmaS]

HI Jen...several here do have the loss of gag reflex as well...Like Lizzy said it is  one of the chiari symptoms....Stress can make u feel worse, and relaxing and avoiding stress can help take the edge off. Plus chiari symptoms do cycle...so u could be in a down cycle and out of a flare.

I still do not have a gag reflex post surgery....I did have one that I would gag brushing my teeth as well....mayb one day it will return.....we all tend to have a diff timetable for these things.

"selma"

[n40066]

chiari can and does cause these symptoms~!  also, your symptoms will come and go and change with time.  there is no rhyme or reason, it just is!  however, stress most def. plays an active roll in how we feel!  once you have had the surgery, you should not have so much of a problem with your gag reflex.  it usually helps us!  good luck!

[max666]

Hi i have been off work since march and have noticed a difference in symptons. Think this is because while at work we just battle through but when we have time off i think that the symptons have always been there but you just have time to notice them more.  Aswell as numerous other symptons i too  sometimes have problems eating and drinking. Am waiting to see a new neurologist to find out the cause.
Not sure if this info helps but do understand what you mean x