Guest guest Posted August 5, 2001 Report Share Posted August 5, 2001 , Hello. Have you ever been to speech pathologist or had a swallow study done? this is an xray type procedure in which they can see your swallowing mechanism and what consistencies you are having trouble with and come up with some exercises or diet modifications to assist you with this. hope this helps some. kristen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2001 Report Share Posted November 10, 2001 Hello Rita, et al, I feel like I need to respond to the swollen throat issue. Besides being a urticarian, I have been a speech pathologist for the past 10 years. For 8 of those years, I worked with adult patients with stroke, brain injury, or other neurological impairments. Part of my job was to treat swallowing impairment caused by these problems. I should stress to you that not being able to swallow is NEVER a normal situation. I understand that it may be a part of the reaction related to urticaria, but there may also be other problems. Like Jackie, (sorry to speak for you!), I believe that if you are having a reaction that includes swallowing problems, you should be ready to use your epi pen on the way to the hospital as these reactions can progress quickly to a life threatening situation. However, if this is a chronic problem, as it seems to be in Ty's case, I would strongly suggest seeing an ENT doctor to find out the cause. As part of my job, I used to conduct videofluoroscopic studies of swallow function. Simply put, we x-rayed the act of swallowing to identify the source of the problem. If food often "gets stuck" this could be the result of problems such as a hiatial hernia, or divirticulum, which is a pocket in the esophagus in which food can get stuck. Or, it could be something else that I can't think of at nearly 3 am!!! LOL Anyway, both of these problems are treatable, manageable, and fixable. I hate to hear about all of the needless suffering when all of us already have a lot to deal with related to our urt. Just thought I would give my professional 2 cents. Hope everyone is doing well... Cara in Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 Cara, I just want to say, I went through all the tests you suggested and the Gastro Doc. didn't find anything. On that day I was not having a problem swallowing. The next day I had the problem. The next week I had the swallowing test done and it was completely normal. Many times I stood over the sink trying to bring up food that just would not go down. I even made myself chew meat excessively so it wouldn't get caught in my esophagus I have not had the problem since having the bad root canal tooth out. This hivy thing brings out weird thing in normal people that are not in the medical books.. As you suggested, it is good to have it checked to eliminate any pathology. Love, Knorr, NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 , That swallowing stuff just baffles me!! Did you have any constrictions in your esophagus? It is amazing what these stupid hives can do to our bodies, and your right, it's not in the book! I am glad to hear that your recovery is continuing. Cara in Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 Cara, Now that you said it, the Gastro Dr. did say it looked like a stricture and he dilated it but the next day I had the same problem and had it off and on for quite awhile, I forgot about that. I need to write all that stuff down.Anyway with the CU disappearing so is the swallowing problem. Fondly, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 I am so glad your swallow problems are disappearing, ! If I have learned one thing, it is that swallowing is a "skill" that we all take for granted. Take care... Cara in Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 Hi Tree, Interesting problem. I have one simple suggestion that may help. First, take a small sip, and then before you swallow, tuck your chin down to your chest and THEN swallow. This simple change in position helps protect your airway so that nothing will head toward your lungs which will make you cough. It is a simple compensatory strategy that helps alot of mild swallow problems. Let me know if you try it...and if it works! Also, sometimes thicker consistencies, like tomato juice or milkshakes go down easier than thin liquids like water, juice, etc.... Take care... Cara in Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2001 Report Share Posted November 11, 2001 Dear Cara.... As far as my experience, you are so right about swallowing being a skill......I always wondered if other people have to think when they drink? If I just swallow fluids without thinking, I start choking...I have to concentrate - especially on the first swallow - sort of have to hesitate and focus to get it in the right location to go down right.....i've never even mentioned this to anyone before in my life....never thought of the significance....just felt it was some kind of mechanical flaw????... best wishes....tree... Re: Swallowing problems I am so glad your swallow problems are disappearing, ! If I have learned one thing, it is that swallowing is a "skill" that we all take for granted. Take care... Cara in Ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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