Any carers with experience of suction to relieve coughing

[Garyvard]

this is related to to my earlier post on coughing when neither eating nor drinking HughS

[barbren]

I am still waiting for some professional guidance on this subject .

I asked this question on this site months ago and am now making a complaint to our local Trust as I feel suction should have been given to Mum during a severe choking episode while in hospital.

It would be good to think that there was professional input to this site to advise and support .

[Garyvard in reply to barbren]

Thanks Barbren, I'm sure you will share any of guidance you receive since it looks as if information is sadly missed lacking

Hugh

[barbren]

I am still waiting for some professional guidance on this subject .

I asked this question on this site months ago and am now making a complaint to our local Trust as I feel suction should have been given to Mum during a severe choking episode while in hospital.

It would be good to think that there was professional input to this site to advise and support .

[hazelb]

Frank's Physio supplied us with a suction machine which was very easy to use & really helped. Talk to your GP for a referral or better still, contact your PSP Specialist nurse who will be able to advise you. Good luck, take care & keep smiling. Love Hazel B xx

[Garyvard in reply to hazelb]

Thanks for the the information Hazel I am on a respite care break. but will be do when you I get home love you Hugh

[dllera]

Hi Gary. I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble and hope that I can help. Coughing while not eating or drinking is common and it is due to saliva and the weakening of the throat muscles. We suctioned my dad and we used a suction toothbrush as well to help keep his mouth clean etc. We also used scopolamine patches to help relieve him of the exess saliva - -but with PSP -there is no free lunch. Side effects were severe dry mouth so we used swabs with water to help moisten the mouth along with Biotene dry mouth gel- and it must be applied several times per day etc. These patches can cause a little drowsiness and confusion but that far outwieghed the potential for aspiration for our situation.. Also - a little seltzer water (not thickened) given by teaspoon will also help break up phlegm. Also try papay juice thickened -this also helps dry up secretions.

Let us know what works for you.

Danielle

[dllera in reply to dllera]

papaya juice

[Garyvard in reply to dllera]

Thanks Danielle for your really helpful answer I will let you know how I get on Hugh

[Faiza]

Thanks for the answers on here. My dad had a two week stay in hospital after he aspirated on 550ml of pureed food. None of the doctors that mum called to the house figured out what was going on until it was too late (rushed into hospital) He has now starting coughing a lot when he's not eating and drinking. I'll definitely be trying out the papaya juice and the seltzer

Xx

[Hummingbird_]

Hi

Pineapple, apple and cranberry juice (thickened), are all supposed to help the break down the saliva. A lot of oral hygiene is needed, also a lot of suction may be needed depending on if your Dad can swallow. There is also a special foaming toothpaste that can be used but you would probably need to get that from your SLT on prescription.

My stepdad would cough and choke all the time, food and drink was an issue but sadly the saliva was a bigger issue. Our PSP nurse doesn't recommend Hyoscine patches (me neither) - there are alternatives, which are much more gentle and seemed to work better for us ..... apologies though as I can't find the name of it (Only it began with a G - so sorry)

Take care x