Can't Swollow

[jennye1967]

Hi

Just lately I have been having trouble swallowing. Sometimes it feels like my throat is closing and I can't get the swallowing action going. It is not all the time but is getting worse. It is a very scary feeling. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[Froogle]

Hi - Yes, I've had Sjogren's for over 30 years and every so often the dry throat seems to get 'stuck' and I can't swallow even though some kind of panic reaction has set in and my throat just keeps on trying! I agree, it is horrible and quite scary. I realised quite long ago, however, that our Creator built in a lot of safe guards - and that if it ever got so bad I would lose consciousness from lack of oxygen, and in that state my throat would relax and I would start breathing normally again.

I have to say that fortunately that has never happened. I still get these attacks every few weeks but knowing the above helps me to relax rather than panic, and that in turn seems to deal with it. You have my sympathy and I hope you find the means to manage it. God Bless!

[kerriebn in reply to Froogle]

Yes I also have this problem from time to time and usually when I have not had enough water. The more you worry about it the worse it becomes so I have been working on relaxation exercises which help. I also had an infection recently which seemed to make it worse. It might be worthwhile having a medical check just to rule out an infection.

[bp21]

Hi Jennye, I have problems with swallowing due to several causes.

Firstly is the obvious lack of saliva which makes food drier and harder to

swallow, I always drink with every mouthful however this just means that

I never get to taste any food. (I can't eat spicy food, or anything with tomato

ie sauces and rice and peanuts just dry up in my mouth and don't go

anywhere when I swallow).

The second problem seems to be at times that my swallow is uncoordinated.

I can initiate the swallow but my tongue and the movement at the top of my

throat don't work together at times and this results in gagging and coughing

up the food or drink.

Finally is my oesophagus which is scarred and contracted and has a presence

of eosinophils from Sjogrens?

This means I frequently have to have food removed from my oesophagus

under anaesthetic and regularly have my oesophagus stretched by my

Gastroenterologist in Bendigo Victoria.

This isn't ideal but I just can't bring myself to live on a diet of liquids and

mushed food.

Good luck and let me know if you want to know more. I've seen a lot of

specialists and been very lucky with the information that they have handed on to

me.

[Psychodelia in reply to bp21]

You have my sincere sympathies, must be very scary and feel like you are choking? Why do our bodies attack us in such a manner? I seem to be full of chronic conditions besides Sjogrens, one of which is psoriasis of the scalp, around and inside ears.

[Psychodelia]

Wow you poor lady. I see from the replies you have received that it is important to try to relax, maybe deep and slow belly breathing might help you? It does sound very unpleasant. Guess I'm lucky I can still swallow regular food, a lot of people seem to be only able to eat soft mushy stuff, so sad. When I think of the money I've spent on my teeth, and now 2 more bridges which cost a bomb need to come out, I need badly to go to the dentist but simply can't afford it. So stressful thinking of it all the time, and it's very hard to forget when there isn't a drop of saliva in my mouth.

[Victorya_S]

All the time here lately!!! It's scary. I wish I had an answer for you but I am looking into this myself. I'm going to a gastroenterologist on Friday so maybe I will find out more.