Trouble swallowing solid food

[zvhipp]

Hi, since his discharge from hospital where he was told he may not make it, we are doing best as we can. He urinates 1 liter daily minimum. His ascites have gone down significantly. We are giving him rifaximin and lactulose along with Dytor 10 Plus. . So everything is in control it seems. He is still in bed as he has lost all muscles. We are giving him ensure, smoothies and juice. All liquid doesn’t go over 1 liter a day.

We tried giving him soft food or fruits but he says he can’t swallow what needs to be chewed. It pains. He does have cough. Any experiences in this? Thanks.

[Hidden]

We are sorry to read that your Dad is so unwell.

If he has dysphagia ( swallowing problems) its really important to inform his doctors who will be able to organise an assessment and swallow test normally via the speech and language department.

Here is the NHS page on swallowing problems:

nhs.uk/conditions/swallowin...

[alfredthegreat]

Hi zvhipp

When I lost muscle mass before my transplant I was told by the dietician on the transplant team that I must have carbohydrates in my diet for energy. When the liver is not working properly the body will take energy from muscle, for some reason the body finds it easier to take energy from muscle than from fat.

Could your dad have soup, even if it contains lumps it can be put through a blender. Vegetable soup would be a good source of carbs.

Hope you can get his swallowing problem sorted,

Best wishes.

Alf.

[zvhipp in reply to alfredthegreat]

Thank you. We live in India and Doctors here have completely gave up on him and no longer providing any advise. And he is holding up at home better than he was when admitted, where he wasn’t fed, cleaned, or in senses. Unfortunately, his sore throat and cough is not going down and not able to eat anything other than pure liquid. We are giving him ensure only but that too he only takes about 300ml a day. He does take other fruit juice - 100ml. His total input including water is no more than 700-800ml.

We know it’s less than half of what his body needs but he feels pain when trying to swallow. He feels more irritation in throat when he takes lactulose. I feel it may be side effect of that. If any one has such experience share please. Also since 3 days he keeps passing stools frequently, he feels he has less control over it and it’s like pebbles.

I know medical advise is something we need to consult doctor for but if any one can share their opinion and experience, it may help us to help him. Thanks