My saliva is getting thicker and I have developed a cough. Is this the prelude to more choking? I have had PSP for 4 years and I am 69.

[LyndaEllis]

[Hidden]

Hello Lynda

Sorry to hear about your ongoing symptoms. Sadly, saliva can thicken and coughs (often explosive or noisy) are all part of the process. Many suffers will develop different degrees of dysphagia (swallowing problems). One aspect of this will be that swallowing is less frequent (as the swallowing reflex is affected). Thus saliva may build up in the mouth and then when the need to swallow is recognised "too late" (by the brain damage that controls swallowing), one tends to cough/choke. Hopefully, if the reflex is strong enough, there will be no or very little aspiration into the lungs. As you know, aspiration into the lungs can cause pneumonia.

So saliva thickening and/or building up in the mouth will become quite severe in some sufferers (but not all).

My wife has shown symptoms of PSP for between 5-6 years. She has saliva build up and coughs considerably, especially in bed. Trying to keep her sleeping in the "recovery position" - on her side -helps to some degree. I do not medicate her for this symptom at present, but others will share with you some of their experience with medications.

Are you coughing/choking on liquids (and solids) yet?

Take care

T.

[Robin20]

On the last 2 weeks before my dad passed away,I read about some patches that reduces the mucus,I can't remember what they were called,but after 3 days it reduced a lot,sadly it was to late,speak to your doctor about them.good luck with everything.

[jimandsharynp]

My experience is to stay away from milk or milk products as they have a tendency to thicken the saliva. It if is an abundance of saliva I've heard the atropine which is in eye drops with slow the build up of saliva. Check with your neurologist. As far as more choking, PSP is not a one-size-fits-all disease so the amount of choking and when it begins can't be determined. Jimbo

[capsey31]

Hello Lynda my father I law also had a problem with mucus. We used thicken up in all his liquids and this helped. We also found pineapple juice good for breaking for down the mucus. Definitely avoid dairy as this can cause a build up. I would have your doctor check on your cough as you may have the beginning of a chest infection which is very common with psp suffers.

[jillannf6]

hi linda

i am sorry tha t u r having problems with swallowing -=i am lucky in that since my dxs my swallowing has not got any worse

have u tried `Thick and Easy avail on scrip from the GP?

I do not know what else to suggest to u but am thinking of u

lol jill

hugs and xxx

[peterjones]

hi Lynda hows it going ok I hope mate well personally I do not feel that it is a prelude to more choking i have a cough which always seems worse at night time which I believe is due= to the night air change not all of it mind you but I do think it makes us cough a little more I feel if you kept the room temperature up it might solve some of it another thing is do you eat biscuits much == because some of the crumbs very small will =-tend tpohjanhg around uin tyour throat

[jillannf6 in reply to peterjones]

hi peter

yes i agree with the problem with biscuits and bread and cake too

but we do have to eat them!

fe pleasures are that i do not put weight on any more but am losing it despot ehav gin a good appetite and eating as if it is the last meal i shall have1

lol Jill

and a

[peterjones in reply to jillannf6]

HI JILL THANKS FOR YOUR EM MATE YOUR TYPING IS DEFINATELY GETTING BETTER THANK YOU FOR TRYING HARD BECAUSE I KNOW IT MUST BE FOR YOU\\ I WISH I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME IVE HEARD THAT SAID TO ME ABOUT EATING AS IF IT WAS\ MY LAST MEAL I RECKON I COULD RETIRE ALL OVER AGAIN WENT OUT FOR MOTHERS DAY TODAY WITH ALL THE FAMILY I KNOW ITS A DIFFERENT DAY TO YOURS MATE BUT I WENT ON THE POKER MACHINES AND I WENT TO SIT ON THE CHAIR AND IT TURNED AROUND LIKE A RECORD PLAYER

WELL IT SHOT ME OFF LIKE A CANNON AND I FLEW OVER THE OTHER ISLE AND BASHED MY HEAD ON THE BOTTOM OF A TIMBER FRAME

OF A GAMING MACHINE THERE WERE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ALL TRYING TO GET ME UP AT ONCE I PUT A DENT IN THE TIMBER UNDERNEATH THE MACHINE I REALLY HIT IT HARD MY POOR OLD CRUST DID NT ARF KNOW ABOUT IT \\\ I JUST REMEMBER SOME WOMAN STANDING ABOVE ME TELLING EVERYBODY THAT I HAD HIT MY HEAD SO HARD ITS A WONDER THAT IT WAS NOT CRACKED OPEN THEN SHE GAVE A DESCRIPTION OR A RUNNING COMMENTRY ON HOW I GOT ON THE CHAIR AND IT SPUN AROUND AND SO FORTH ANYWAY I NEED A HAT THREE SISSES BIGGER NOW FOR THE LUMP ON MY CRUST

THERES THAT LETTER AGAIN BETWEEN L AND X ITS STILL OUT MATE

SEE YER PETER JONES QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA PSP SUFFERER =TAKE CARE MATE

[peterjones in reply to peterjones]

LYNDA SORRY ABOUT THE MIX UP AT THE END JUST TO CLARIFY IT == IT SHOULD HAVE READ =='' TEND TO HANG AROUND IN HES THROAT'' SORRY ABOUT THAT MATE I BET YOU THOUGHT I HAD WRITTEN IN CHINESE OR SOME OTHER LANGAUGE PETER JPONES QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA PSP SUFFERER

[LyndaEllis]

Hi everyone, Thank you all so much for replying. I'll keep you posted on the results.

Lynda

[cabbagecottage]

I find keeping the temperature up at night . It's difficult to lay someone on their side when you have to keep the head raised at the same time . any ideas please .