troubling swallowing

[momma2abcd]

Lately I have been having trouble swallowing when i eat food. It feels like it stops mid rib area and I have to take a deep breath to catch my breath (cause I cant breath) and to swallow. sometimes I have choked.

make since? could this be a MS issue?

Thanks!

Dx 2007

[Ufrustrated2]

i too have this from time to time. can happen with solids or liguids. it gets a bit past the throat or just up to it and bam it stops and you feel like you are about to choke.

the sensation is a bit different than say, "food going down wrong way". for me, the two are distinctly different in sensation.

no onset pattern for me either, it happens when it wants and leaves when it wants.

keep it in your symptom diary and do speak to your doctor(s) about it. some will listen and some won't but do bring it up to them

[socrates2k1]

I, myself, have problems with joking, most likely on my own saliva.

When I lay down, on my bed, I elevate my head with two pillows, and every once in a while, I will start choking, which leads to coughing, which can last several minutes.
When I sit up, it slowly will go away.  However, once it stops, many times, when I lay back down, it resumes again.  My wife, gives me cough syrup, because she thinks I have a "cough", but it's not a cough, if you know what I mean.  I know, I have "swallowing issues", from time to time, and I know it's one more MS "symptom" to deal with.
The most scary and unpredictable part, is if I happen to fall asleep, with two pillows under my head (note:  I usually remove one pillow, and sleep with only one), once in a while, I will wake up, first choking, then coughing, for several minutes.  Again, nothing to really be concerned about, because it has happened before, if you know what I mean.

Does anyone else, have this recurring issue?

-- Socrates2k1

[coffeeom]

I have problems swallowing too..  After a few test my doctor seems to think it is  esophageal spasms due to my ms. I have to eat slowly and make sure I chew my food very well so I do not choke.  I hope you are feeling better soon... Linda

[Wobbly]

I have a problem with swallowing, but its not when I'm eating or drinking all the time, I notice my throat just seems to freeze and I can make it move.  Sometime I will get a drink and sip it, it seem to get my throat moving then.  I does get scary at time too, because I feel like I'm sofacating??  don't know how to spell that.. can't breath..

I will be telling my Neuro next week, as it's be slowing more often.

take care
wobbly

[momma2abcd]

Thanks Jensequitur & RedFlame,

I am gonna make an appointment soon, so far I havent had any problems this week. I have had been scared a couple times so I take it more seriously.

I will try prevacid vs tums and see how it works for me too. I have had some things going on and need to be checked out so it can be labeled as nothing or something :)

I will let you know what comes of it. Thanks for helping me sort some things out and not thinking I cant eat right. :)

[RedFlame]

I encourage you to seek more help with this.  Like everyone has said--it can be quite dangerous.  

I have problems with swallowing too which I believe is from spasms.  Sometimes drinking something will help me.  Also, I take Prevacid when I have a flair of gastro problems and it seems to help.

I hope you will let us know how you are doing.

Red

[jensequitur]

You know, I have problems with swallowing too.  Things get stuck sometimes, or I inhale at the wrong time and whatever I'm drinking ends up in my lungs.  

I have problems with esophageal spasm from my spine lesions, so it could be that.  There's also problems with the swallowing muscles, which is pretty common with MS.

[momma2abcd]

Rendean- Thank you, I appreciate your comments. I noticed it more with solids for about 3 weeks now. I havent called the Dr. but he will yell at me for not being consistant on my meds. I also have heartburn really bad and was thinking maybe that is the culprit to not be able to swallow at times. maybe?

sumanadevii- Thank you too, I do have MS, Dxd in 2007. I am sure if I go back to the nuero he will do more tests. he is a MS specialist so atleast he believes me compared to other nueros :-) just here lately I have had a few issues that he doesnt know.

[Sumanadevii]

I have swallowing problems, too.  However, mine starts with the swallowing process itself.  It feels like my tongue doesn't do her job and things just don't move.  From my understanding swallowing problems are found in different areas so treatment would be different depending on where the problem starts.  What rendean has said is true.  You will end up with a speech therapist that specializes in it.  She will teach you exercises and tricks to help things move along.

However, do be ready for a huge battery of tests.  I doubt any neuro even knowing where the lesions are located would be willing to bet that is the cause without more knowledge.  I have had tests on my heart, lungs and gastro....and I don't mean one or two...It seems like they just kept finding news ones.  Results?  It was the MS.

[rendean]

Hi!

I suppose your swallowing troubles could be due to esophageal spasms courtesy of MS. Is it solids only or liquids and solids? How long have you had this symptom?

My advice is call your doc about this since you report trouble breathing when this happens. This could result in a very dangerous situation, especially if you are alone when this happens.

A speech therapist who also treats swallowing issues would be a good specialist for you to follow up with.

Not sure I  helped much but that's my 2 cents.

Ren

[momma2abcd]

****it stops mid chest area