My son who is now 20 has childhood onset parkinsonism. He recently has started gagging a few times a day.

[Suluvskids]

Is this something that happens with Parkinson's?

[bawford]

Gagging? Chocking on bits of food, water, even air seem to be happing to me once in a while. I took LSVT Loud and even tho' it is to help us speak louder, it generally strengthens those muscles in the throat, It is amazing how our tongue, cheeks, gaw, and all the walls around our mouth need to work together to get our bellys full. My speach therapist was very educational about this. lsvtglobal.com/ Hugs to you and your son. PS when was he diag?

[Brooke in reply to bawford]

I am doing LSVTBIg Suluvkids should look into this, It is very good.

[Hidden]

Does PD effect your speech too. I don't remember Dad having that problem. I guess it effect different people different ways. I noticed a large round growth on the side of Dad's neck. When I ask him what it was he said nothing. That meant don't ask.

[liljulez]

hi i was diagnosed in my 20s also i am now 47 ....i have learnt after choking once to chew slowly and cut foodvery small,,as for randomly gagging i havent done that!

[srarndt]

Hi Suluvskids,

It might have something to do with an aspiration problem. I would strongly encourage you to ask your Movement Disorder Specialist. I recently had a Barium Swallow Test done for creating a base line as to how my swallowing is working at present so they can come back and see if it is getting worse in the future.

I do not mean to alarm you but aspiration can be dangerous for we Parkies.

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)

[Suluvskids]

He was pretty much born with this and very slowly it is getting worse. Recently his balance became very bad so the dr tried him on amatadine and it has really helped. He has always had speech issues.. I will look into the lsvt...haven't heard of that. Thanks for your help!

[ronn]

If you have access to Google, query "Swallowing Process". It gives a simple description of the complex process of swallowing. I experience partial aspiration quite frequently when my larynx fails to close fast enough or efficiently enough to prevent liquid or food from starting into the opening, toward the lungs. The result is a violent, uncontrollable coughing spell as the lungs expel the invading substance. If food managed to get into the passage, it could cause a respiritory infection. I hope someone can give you a better answer but, in answer to your original question, Yes, I believe the cause of the problem is Parkinson"s.

[bunngalo]

My mother (PD patient) sometimes gags from excessive mucous production or if something goes down the wrong way. She just had the barium swallow test and it was recommended that she get a feeding tube.

[Suluvskids in reply to bunngalo]

It is better when we have his allergies under control...but not gone. Thank you. He will be having the swallowing test...waiting to hear when.

[Yogibear]

I am 39 with young onset parkinsons. I am the youngest person in the Channel Islands with this condition. I would love to chat to your son if he wants as I might be able to pass on some tips from my experiences to help him out. Please feel free to ask me anything and we can do this offline.

I too have had a gagging problem so I know what you mean. Kind of like swallowing the wrong way or choking without explanation. I also intermittently have an unexplained cough. My Neuro Advisors believe that my parkinsons meds switch between constricting and relaxing my throat muscles. This causes reflux, changes to the voice, gagging. Omeprazole was added for reflux and my PD meds were looked at and adjusted. I also saw a Speech and Swallowing therapist who assessed me and a dietician who advised on how and what to eat.

Gagging can be a little distressing as sometimes you cannot catch your breath. Do not worry it is a fixable problem. Explain what is happening to your son to your medical team and I am sure they will sort things out.

Much love to you and your son.

[Suluvskids in reply to Yogibear]

Thank you. My son is also developmentally delayed. He has been on acid reflux meds for several years. He also has EE. We are going to do a swallowing study in the near future. I so appreciate the advice. Take care.