can't swallow

[halfpintfl]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif Hi all, it's Halfpintfl, I need to know if this has happened to anyone else, and is it
related to lupus. About 5 yrs ago,b/4 I was dx with lupus, I choked on food, it got
to be at about every 3to 4th meal. It would get to the back of my throat,but I couldn't swallow it. I would either gag and it would all come up (sorry) or nothing. My dr. at that time did an endoscopy, and he said that he stretched my esophagus, but that he didn't know how many years that would last. At the time, he explained that I simply was just too small a person. He told me to drink all my drinks room temp, and cut all things up very small. that worked, till now. The last two months I am chocking again, it's the same, like it gets in the back of my throat, and my throat wont open to let it go past, like my gag reflex won't work. I need your help and fast, I got my next rheumy appt this friday. Has this happened to anyone else? and what is it? Is it lupus related. Help fast, I see him friday.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[Lily]

((((((((((((halfpint)))))))))))))

I'll leave it up to those who've had this sort of problem to comment but I just wanted to send some style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif your way! Good luck with your appt, glad you are seeing the Rheumy soon so this can be discussed.

love
Lily

[raggedyann1]

Halfpint,

That is a common problem with scleroderma but I don't know how it would occur with lupus. The fact that it has lasted over 4 years since your esophagus was stretched is incredible. My sclero friends have to have their esophagus stretched at least twice a year. Your rheumy of course will know what else can do this if there is with lupus and other autoimmune diseases. He may just send you back to the GI doc and have you get it stretched again.

I have found that one of my gag problems is more "fluid" related. When I have a certain type of gagging and I take a sip of water the gagging goes away. But that feels different than when I can't get a bite of food to move from mouth to esophagas.

Do you also have sjogrens? That is a possible thing to google.

Let us know what you find out.

Take care,
Karen

[confused1]

Hi,

This was one of the symptoms I started noticing before I was dx with Sjogren's. I still have problems with it, sometimes more and sometimes less depending on how "flarey" I am. I don't eat without something to drink in my hand and I don't eat dry foods at all anymore. Ironically the worst offenders were things like bits of salads. Those veggie bits would stick in my throat and refuse to go farther.

Good luck to you and I hope you find comfort and relief soon.

Sunny

[zara]

Halfpintfl, that sounds awful! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/aww.gif Maybe another esophagus stretch would to the trick. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/shrug.gif And as the other ladies suggest, it's probably a good idea to get other causes ruled out too when you see your rheumy.

Till then, many hugs. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

[TREBOR]

Hi Halfpintfl,

Two possible explanations for your intermittent choking problem:-

1. Sjogren's has affected salivary glands: not producing enough saliva. Solution: drink frequently when eating.

2. Cranial nerve involvement affecting the glossopharyngeal nerve which controls swallowing,
(note this is NOT the same as "gag reflex") . Solution: steroids or carbamazepine.

If you have had other cranial nerve problems e.g. optic neuritis, trigeminal neuralgia,
then this would support the second possible explanation.

[Angelee]

I don't know what causes this but I used to see it alot when I worked in a dental surgery. It isn't limited to lupies. Also, it seems to get worse with stress. Often we found that hot/warm drinks could help relax the muscles of the throat and make it easier to swallow. I used to have difficulty with it myself after I had my gastric bypass. I found that if I had a small cup of tea before eating or a bit of broth to start my meal it helped a lot. Also, drinking a bit of something with each bite seems to help and making sure to chew everything very well. However, this only applies if it isn't a neurological problem where the the message to swallow is getting scrambled or not received. If the warm fluids don't help I would talk to a neuro. Good luck.

[Raglet]

Hi there

the gag reflex is totally separate from swallowing muscles. A gag reflex that doesn't work means that a person doesn't gag when they should. For instance, if the neuro pokes around the back of my throat it doesn't bother me at all, as I don't have a gag reflex, so I don't 'gag'. The gag reflex is part of protecting your airway and preventing choking. I have excellent swallowing muscles, they are good and strong so I can swallow really well despite not having a gag reflex. I do have problems positioning food in my mouth so I can swallow it, so often when I swallow my mouth doesn't fully clear.

It doesn't sound to me like you are having a gag reflex problem as you are able to gag - more that you are having a problem swallowing. Do you think your esophagus may need stretching again ? Seems like the doc who did the original stretching suspected that it may recurr. Are you having the same symptoms you were having then ?

hope you get it sorted soon

raglet

[lesleyc]

Halfpint,
good luck at the doc's please let us know how it goes!

lesley