Choking

[Ann1946]

My husband has had a nasty incident of choking this evening. What can I do to help him through these bouts. He has suffered with chest problems from childhood so he is prone to coughing at any time. He has bronchiectasis and uses puffers regularly throughout the day.

[Marazion]

If you aren’t already please access Speech and language team. Mum has PSP and has recurrent chest infections due to aspiration choking and the team have been good in advising which has included thickening fluids, bit sized food, then minced and now pureed. There were types of food to avoid eg grapes. So then her body positioning angle (and her table with food) while eating was important plus ensuring no distractions while eating. Plus allowing her longer to eat to minimize the risk. Little and often for food was good practical advice. We also had the discussion about PEG or not but that was with the wider support as swallowing is often impacted by this cruel condition. I hope this is helpful and you get support.

[Ann1946 in reply to Marazion]

Thank you. Having people to turn to for advice is such a help.

[messier]

We didnt find SALT at all useful do do experiment as to what works. But coughing episodes will still happen. My mum hated it when carers patted her in the back when she coughed. It didn't clear things and distracted her from getting her breath. So find out what helps him - does he want leaning forward or not, does he want his back patting or rubbing or not etc? If he has inhalers does he have a spacer device so you can spray that without him having to coordinate his breathing - could you use that during or straight after a coughing fit?

[Ann1946 in reply to messier]

Thank you, we're very new to all this and any advice is welcome.

[SunriseLegend]

We found SALT were helpful. My husband was often choking on his food. SALT did a videofluoroscopy and established that everything - solid food; puréed food; liquids - was going into his windpipe as well as his oesophagus. They immediately made him nil by mouth as the risk of aspiration and choking was too great. He had a PEG fitted in June and has not suffered from choking since

[PineEater]

Hi, Ann1946

Choking from swallowing problems is life- threatening as is Aspiration Pneumonia. Coughing while eating or drinking is different from that occurring otherwise whether in childhood or adulthood. Please immediately contact SALT. Once swallowing problems start they are difficult to control. However, exercises, use of thickeners in liquids, different textures of food etc. that the SALT /dietician would prescribe have to be followed till they work. Subsequently, only PEG feeding serves the purpose not permanently though but till that works. Please contact the SALT without losing a moment. Every moment is precious for a PSP person. Best wishes

[Ann1946 in reply to PineEater]

Thank you.

[ckb4]

hi!… eating and swallowing becomes a huge issue with PSP. If you have access to a speech therapist, they are trained in helping with teaching patients how to eat and swallow better… and the types of food and drink that are best. It will be crucial for him to learn techniques to keep from aspiration . Talk to your doctor about long term care facilities. They have the staff to assist… this disease is ‘progressive’ … swallowing issues a hallmark of the disease. Seek help from your medical professional to get more involved with his needs. God bless you.

[Ann1946 in reply to ckb4]

Thank you.

[ShellTaylor]

i would have a lifevac handy as well as someone familiar with heimlich maneuver. Also get a special cup that only dispenses 10 cc, 2 teaspoons at a time. Do not talk to him or ask him questions while he is eating. Between bites you csn talk to him or quickly ask a question. Monitor speed and quantity at a time carefully as impulsivity is often an issue. Ideally no talking or distractions while eating. And have him set up straight while eating or drinking. These are all tips I've learned from helping my father and from his Speech TherapistS.

[martinjanetj123]

get some carbostistine tablets from the doctor they stopped my partners coughing they loosen mucus build up

[Ann1946 in reply to martinjanetj123]

Thank you, he's been on Carbosistine for a while now. Must say, it does help.

[martinjanetj123]

carbosisteine

[Ann1946 in reply to martinjanetj123]

Thank you.

[AJ2412]

Hey! My dad was struggling with choking as well for around a year before having his first pneumonia...What could help is changing the texture of the food. Soft foods such as bananas and pureed diet are your friend. Also if your are present when he eats, make sure to remind him to eat slowly and to swallow well. My dad used to eat very fast which caused him to choke more. (which I think is psp-related)

Also try to find a speech therapist that could work with him on swallowing and speaking because even if they don't choke with a pureed diet , psp patients do always have minimal aspirations that add up and may cause pneumonia...

I wish you and your husband a lot of strength.

Kind regards,

Azza

[Ann1946 in reply to AJ2412]

Thank you. He does eat quickly and overfills his mouth and needs frequent reminders. It's only recently I've begun to realise it's caused by his PSP.

[martinjanetj123]

I insist that at regular intervals my partner stops eating and drinks some water to let the food go down and give it a few minutes before resuming . It’s annoying but seems to stop the cramming of food which is a psp problem .

[Ann1946 in reply to martinjanetj123]

Thank you. He definitely overfills his mouth these days and has to be reminded to slow down.