Difficulty in swallowing

[Carp84]

I have been finding it difficult to swallow, not whilst I'm eating but just normally. Is there anything that can help with this.?

[LadyTrundle]

Me too. It’s kind of scary. I’d be interested in any suggestions too.

[Feelingpants]

Sadly I have this and gradually it's got worst ! My food naturally regurgitates which as left me malnourished this is caused by MCTD/ lupus it's caused me to have Pusedo obstruction with superimposed bacteria overgrowth in my gut motility disorders I'm now on TPN 12 hours a day 5 days a week it truly has turned my life upside downI'm also on rafaxmin for the gut overgrowth. I'm under a great nutrition & gastroenterology team who spent along time tests etc to establish what was wrong sometimes I can't even swallow fluids or my own saliva & my saliva is sticky & foamy like cuckoo spit . It could be worth talking to your consultant I understand how distressing it can be 😷😢😞 good luck 🍀

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Feelingpants]

What is TPN please?

[Feelingpants in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

I have a Hickman line in my chest & I'm fed through it Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. Fluids are given into a vein to provide most of the nutrients the body needs. The method is used when a person cannot or should not receive feedings or fluids by mouth

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to Feelingpants]

Oh thank you for explaining. I know what parenteral nutrition is, just not the abbreviation. What a huge change to your life this much have been. Do you feel better in yourself now? Am glad you have good care now.

[Feelingpants in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

The funding for TPN is massive & ther can b quite a wait it involves training to administer it yourself & also disconnect the supplies you need and also the nursing care it took around a year for them to actually diagnosis this & a awful lot of time as a inpatient at the hospital.my body now naturally regugtates any food I eat which was leaving me malnourished & lacking almost every vitamin etc that someone with normall digestive system would get .the TPN supplies fats & important nutrients to now keep me alive I'm 48 !!!

[Feelingpants in reply to Feelingpants]

It truly has turned my life upside down 😞

[AnnW22]

It would help to have a videofluoroscopy. This is an x ray procedure which can image what is happening when you swallow including eating and drinking.

[Carp84 in reply to AnnW22]

Would I need my consultant to put me forward for this?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to AnnW22]

Hi AnnW22Who would ordinarily order this kind of test?

[Intimeslikethese]

I try this. Pepcid Complete chewable at bedtime to keep GURD down at night, sips of water during night to cleanse throat, prop head at bedtime, Digestive Advantage gummies daily, Activia yogurt and ice chips during day. My daughter bought me an Aloe Vera and mango concentrate that I add to water. I pretty much cut out any sugared drinks or juice.

[AnnW22]

Yes you will need a referral. Often done via a gastroenterologist but I assume your usual consultant can refer also.

[HowNowWhatNow]

Basic question but have you / have others done the baking soda test (or whatever it’s called) to determine whether your stomach acid is low / high? I have hypothyroidism as well as Raynaud’s and the symptoms of low and high stomach acid seem very similar but thyroid doctors typically (from what I read) treated it as if high without first checking.

I should have said - those with hypothyroidism tend towards low stomach acid.

I have been put on Omeprazole for swallowing / burping / other digestive issues without anyone first checking acid levels.

I guess what I’m driving at - is what causing swallowing issues in Raynaud’s and does it relate to acidity levels?

[Bkart]

Hi Carp84, I’ve just replied to HelenLouise40 about swallowing difficulties, perhaps my post might help with info for you and LadyTrundle. As well as problems swallowing food I also feel that my saliva has thickenedand I can’t swallow it, so it gets stuck in my throat as well, the Speech and Language therapist said this can happen.

I was also told that to help with reflux at night to try and sleep on your left hand side as well as raising the bed etc.

Again hope this helps, I hate it don’t you! Must admit I don’t like taking Gaviscon Advance but it does help along with the PPI. ITried dropping the Omeprazole back to one a day but things got worse and the S &L therapist said it is so important to take it together with Gaviscon but it must be Advance. Take care both of you.