aspiration and tiredness: Hello again... - Asthma Community ...

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aspiration and tiredness

4 Replies

Hello again!

So for a couple of weeks now I seem to have a problem where a lot of the time when I eat or drink things Im aspirating as I can feel the stuff getting sucked in(sorry for tmi).

I think it is due to tiredness as with chemo and flu everything just requires so much effort and concentration I suppose I can no longer concentrate on eating and breathing att the same time.

I never had this problem before that I could remember. I am told I did this as a baby and have had several aspiration pneumonia but they were from botched intubations so not the same problem.

So just wondering if theres anything particular I could do that would help? (and just ranting also...)

Take care all.

Rose xx

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4 Replies

Rose, I meant to reply to this and forgot... ooops. Aspiration is no joke. If a (decent) speech and language therapist read your post they would have a pink fit! PLEASE discuss this with a GP/doctor and ask for a swallowing assessment ASAP - it is a speech and language therapist who does this. Following that assessment they will either make a decision and treatment plan if required or refer you for video fluoroscopy so they can observe the passage of food/drink through your mouth and throat/oesophagus.

If you are aspirating which it sounds like, you are likely to end up with repeated aspiration pneumonia and recurrent infection = further damage to lungs. (Been there done that one). Im not surprised you are feeling tired.. :/

Rant away hon, but please please dont ignore it

Lynda :)

Thanks for he reply Lynda ;-)

Yes various docs lung cons and in itu have mentioned having that fluo test thing done but no one ever got round to it. I am however already on reflux meds and recently my lung cons suggested that worsening chest pains could be due to reflux. But I suppose everything just got worse with the chronic exhaustion that came with chemo.

So glad I can rant on here as I dont like to worry family and friends. They worry enough anyway.

Take care all.

Rose xx

in reply to

Thanks for he reply Lynda ;-)

Yes various docs lung cons and in itu have mentioned having that fluo test thing done but no one ever got round to it. I am however already on reflux meds and recently my lung cons suggested that worsening chest pains could be due to reflux. But I suppose everything just got worse with the chronic exhaustion that came with chemo.

So glad I can rant on here as I dont like to worry family and friends. They worry enough anyway.

Take care all.

Rose xx

Hi Rose,

The problem with reflux meds, is that they don't actually stop you refluxing.. things like omeprazole and other PPI's reduce gastric acid, but they dont stop reflux of the stomach contents. Im on 80mg omeprazole a day, and 60mg of domperidone a day, and still get aspiration pneumonia regularly... Im hoping now Im nil by mouth for food, that it will reduce. Fingers crossed.

Also aspiration when swallowing, which you described, is a totally different mechanism to reflux and needs different assessment entirely (ie swallow assessment from speech and language therapist). Silent aspiration (when food/drink goes down wrong hole when swallowing but no cough response) is even more alarming as this can go unnoticed until infection occurs. Signs of aspiration include dipping of SP02 levels following swallowing, facial flushing, 'wet' voice, hoarse voice, cough, and sneezing.

I know what you mean about worrying family and friends, its horrible to feel like you are causing them concern. But doctors are there to be worried ;)

I hope you're feeling a little less exhausted soon, you have so much to deal with.

Take Care

Lynda :)

Just want to say hugs really! X

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