Does this mean the end is close??

[Megger611]

My dad is having more and more trouble swallowing - he's OK eating a puréed diet but using his tongue to swallow while he's drinking is becoming a real struggle. I'm so scared this means that he won't be able to eat/drink in the very near future that his body will shut down rather quickly. As the doctor said he only has about 6 months to live, we're not doing a feeding tube and he will not drink anything with thickener in it.

On another note, my mother and I are going to talk to Hospice care in a little while to talk about all of the available options. This simple appointment with them has made it all the more real that the active dad I knew is gone and soon won't even be here in our living room anymore. Sucky.

[easterncedar]

That inability to effectively use his tongue to swallow was definitely the beginning of the end for my sweetheart. I'm sorry.

[Patriciapmr]

Sadly that's what happened to my Keith, so sad, I'm so sorry...xx

[Dadshelper]

When you visit with hospice ask if they can provide a drinking straw with a hmm reducer in one end. My dad hates the thickener also so his therapist said to try the straws. They limit how much liquid can be pulled up plus aid in keeping liquid in the straw so the next drink isn't a full sucking to fill straw again. He still coughs sometimes but not as bad without using the straw. My dad also doesn't want a feeding tube or any type of life support, he has an Advanced Directive with DNR in place.

Ron

[Megger611 in reply to Dadshelper]

Thanks for the info!

[am2015]

I'm so sorry that your Dad and your family are going through this. I hope you all find the strength at this difficult time xx

[Etoile]

For those of you carers who have been through this symptom (choking on liquid), would drinking smoothies work for someone with PSP who does not want to drink something with thickener?

[Katiebow]

Ben wouldn't have thickener for a start but is more accepting as long as it is flavoured to his liking. He also doesn't want PEG or anything that would prolong life but it's difficult to watch him choking and having such difficulty to swallow each mouthful, he makes a funny clicking noise when he swallows. Oh how I hate this bloody disease.

K xxx