Cough

[Tjspindat]

Hi I was in itu intubated but now when I eat I cough and sometimes feels like food gets stuck. Has anyone had this?

[Sepsur]

did you have a trachy? I had a persistent cough after ICU which was connected to having a dripping nose too.

Trachy scar meant I had to be really careful what I ate

[BigH63]

Hi Tjspindat

Yes I’ve still got my cough 1.5 yrs on I was intubated and had a Tracheotomy. Plus I’m still suffering from issues when eating, I have to drink with every mouthful, I saw the S.A.L.T team and has a Video Fluoroscopy carried out which showed I was born with a deviated C2C3 which pushes my throat forward a little but because I was intubated my gag reflex is now heightened and my body perceives this and makes think I’m chocking.

[Lucindar]

I’ve been having vocal problems since leaving ICU, and all though I haven’t had swallowing problems, that symptom has been frequently mentioned in relation to mine. Worth a visit to your GP and they’ll refer you to ENT (ear nose and throat). Quick little endoscopy and they should be able to tell you the problem. Will say, I really had to push for my referral and it took a while to get an ENT appointment.

Also- I didn’t have a tracheotomy, just regular intubation 👍🏻

[Lassie2011 in reply to Lucindar]

I did exercises with a straw blowing bubbles and strengthening my mouth and swallow. I found that I couldn't eat for a a while and was tube fed while I was intubated so that probably weakened my swallow. Even talking was challenging as my vocal strength was inhibited. It just took time, I know that's the worst thing the waiting but it really does take time for your body to repair and recover itself

[Lucindar]

I’ve just been given straw exercises! Although I had to seek help outside of NHS to get that advice 🙄 ENT informed me my ongoing vocal issues are due to silent reflux which developed as a result of the muscle relaxers I was on during my stint in a coma. I’ve been taking omeprazole, so hoping that, combined with my vocal exercises will help get my voice back 🤞🏻