aspiration pneumonia and trouble swallowing

[Olivia-76]

Hello all!

My father (74) has MSA. We know since last november.until then we thought it was Parkinsons disease. We think the first symptoms showed up as early as 10years ago…

Fast forward 10 days ago, he was admitted into hospital for early stages pneumonia. For a moment, we feared we might lose him, but after a change of antibiotics he got better. Meaning the pneumonia got better.

We are still VERY worried bc even though his blood tests show he is better, his overall situation seems bad. One day he can ‚talk‘ as before (hard to understand for strangers, but my mom and us daughters understand him), wants to watch tv, and is longing to drink…

The speech therapist and nurses have put him on ‚no oral nutrition‘ for now bc his swallowing is so bad, he kept getting stuff into his lungs.

The next day he is unable to communicate, his breathing sound like a bubble machine and stops for up to 5seconds…

Nobody seems to know about MSA, there is no neurologist in the hospital and my dad seems so unhappy!

Has anybody some ideas what might be ahead for us? Is he dying? Will his swallowing get better again?

Btw, we are in Germany…I feel there is dimply NO INFORMATION on MSA over here!!😩

thanks in advance!

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi, Sorry to hear your news if your dad and he has a bright daughter who cares who is reaching out.

Even though you are in Germany reach out to msatrust.org in the UK. There site has a lot of information you can download and pass to medical people in Germany.

MSA is a rare condition and the symptoms you speak of are the danger points. Swallowing reflux failure causes food and liquid to enter the lung and an infection starts.

Over here an option some take to get over this is a PEG tube which allows medicine food and liquids to be fed directly into the stomach, but it is a big change for someone to accept.

Use this forum to learn more.

My wife has had various trips to hospital with aspiration pneumonia over the last 10 years but we are still here and managing.

Don't loose hope just asses and adapt.

Paul

[Olivia-76 in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Thank you Paul and Sue,

my dad passed this morning after he contracted a second pneumonia two days ago. He died in hosptal with an Angel of a nurse holding his hand! 🙏🏻

I am sad and angry and glad for him to finally be able to move as he wants.

Wishing all the best to you all..,

Love Susan

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood in reply to Olivia-76]

Susan

Really sorry to hear this sad news and it is something we all dread but know it will happen.

I am just glad as I am sure he was that he had someone caring for him as you did.

Peace

Paul