Thank you to everyone who replied to my question.
Next question : My husband has a very persistent cough, also seems to have a lot of mucus at times. Is this part of PSP? He has some swallowing difficulty so therefore uses thickened drinks. I don’t know if the cough is from saliva going down the wrong way or if it is caused by the mucus.
He might have a lung infection. Go to your doctor and have them listen to his lungs to see what is going on.
My husband coughs a LOT!!! It is due to mucous because of build up of saliva. Normally people swallow saliva a lot naturally but people with PSP and Parkinsons stop automatically swallowing so much. He has been taking glycopyrrolate (I think that is the generic name, will check) pills . They helped at first but not so much now probably going to have to go on to something else. He actually makes some terrible noises like moans sometimes because he is losing the ability to cough properly.
We are going to the doctor tomorrow to see if he can get something to help with his saliva. Thanks daffodil.
Hi tasha1944!
These are our experiences hoping are useful to you:
•Phlegm and choking: The first thing is to remain calm during episodes of truly shocking coughs. The second is that a physician rules out an infection in the respiratory tract. Get a pulse oximeter to control. (Fever is an indication usually either pneumonia or urinay tract infection (UTI) in PSP patients).
•It is not a big problem that the patient swallows his phlegm. For phlegm to be fluid, it is important to drink liquids. Steam inhalation from boiling water in a bowl with a few drops of some floral essence (avoid mint plants and eucalyptus) that is pleasant to the patient, a small spoonful of marine salt and some pieces of lemon, with a towel covering head and bowl helps. (One to three times a day.) Medications like "Mucosan" (Ambroxol hydrochloride) twice a day or “Fluimicil Forte-600” (Acetilcisteine) one by day, help. Ask physician.
•In case of choking, raise both arms at shoulder height, breathe only through the nose intensely if posible. I not, inhale air intensely but not very fast through the mouth. Retain air a couple of seconds and then force the cough.
•Also here, to avoid in the diet drinks that can be irritating helps: coffee, carbonated beverages as pop or soda (or eliminate the gas by agitation before giving it to the patient), chocolate, orange or grapefruit juice, etc..
Note.- It has been described that: pineapple juice breaks down the protein very well and fluidifies the mucus (phlegms). It will have to be tested if the patient tolerates pineapple juice without coughing or choking.
There are some foods to avoid…. things like grapes, rice, couscous, lentils, peas etc anything small was problematic as were spicy foods. Foods that crumble easily, cookies, crackers, stringy foods, sticky foods, etc.
•There is a suction machine which helped a lot with the very sticky phlegm. We have NOT used it yet.
•A steam atomizer to keep the air in the room moist helped, too. (40% - 52% moist advisable.)
•The physiotherapists have exercises reinforcing trunk muscles to improve the cough response to choking. Engage a good speech/swallow therapist to learn swallowing techniques.
•Avoid dairy products, especially before bedtime, this seems to prevent the increase in phlegm viscosity.
•Raising around 15º a 35º (9” to 12”) the head of the bed also helps.
Hug and luck.
Luis
Hi Luis,
I believe that enzyme in pineapple juice is available in supplement form Bromelain. For individuals on blood thinners, Bromelain and Melatonin pose the same GI bleeding risks as aspirin.
Karen
Thank you very much.
Good morning, unfortunately there is no cure for PSP, or any symptoms with this dreaded disease, progressing daily, it seems like what they can do one day can’t do it the next, balance was bad, many falls, injuries, great idea get a helmet to protect the head, Mayo Cinic tells you everything you need to know about PSP. Nettie
This question gets asked a lot. There are several medications that may help with the saliva, like atropine and glycopyrrolate , and some people have had good lick using a suction machine. Botox injected in the salivary glands is sometimes advised. Atropine drops worked well for us. You might find a search of the archives useful. There is lots of experience in there. Best, ec
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