Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 My dad seems to be choking on food and staff at the home where he is is recommending a feeding tube into his stomach. This seems drastic, The fear is of aspiration pneumonia... I would appreciate any advice if anyone has experience with this. thanks. Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 Joanne, Aspiration pneumonia is a real risk with MSA, and you should be aware that in addition to actually choking, a patient can aspirate silently, without actually choking. PEG tubes can avoid the problem, but many people are averse to them. Before any decision is made your father should have a swallowing study, which is an x-ray done while swallowing various types of food that have been " marked " with a radio-opaque substance so that they will show up on an x-ray. This study should be observed by a speech therapist trained in this area. The results of this will indicate whether he needs a special diet (perhaps pureed foods, or thickeners added to liquids) or a PEG tube. Even with a tube it may still be possible to take some things by mouth. Hope this helps. Carol & Rob Lexington, MA aspiration pneumonia > My dad seems to be choking on food and staff at the home > where he is is recommending a feeding tube into his stomach. > This seems drastic, The fear is of aspiration pneumonia... I > would appreciate any advice if anyone has experience with this. > thanks. > Joanne > > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 Joanne, A PEG (feeding tube) is not that drastic. It is a simple operation which takes about 20 minutes. The tube comes out near the navel and is easy to care for. My wife had one for the last three years of her life. She actually got to eat more food after she got it as we could give her liquids through the tube and they are the hardest thing for most MSA patients to swallow. She did have to get speech/swallowing therapy to help her get back speech and swallowing. Take care, Bill Werre cyberturtle707 wrote: >My dad seems to be choking on food and staff at the home >where he is is recommending a feeding tube into his stomach. >This seems drastic, The fear is of aspiration pneumonia... I >would appreciate any advice if anyone has experience with this. >thanks. >Joanne > > >If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may >unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > >shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 Joanne: My husband had the same trouble with choking/swallowing regular food. He also had a swallowing test, & they recommended pureed food & thickened liquid. So far, that is working. It's worth giving it a try. Regards, jerrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 My husband is a "silent" aspirator, must have only thickened liquids, but does eat all food by mouth and has liquids by tube - it works well. You must be careful of what a person eats - so many things we wouldn't think of can cause liquid to go down the wrong way - melon (juice goes down throat while person is chewing fruit), fresh lettuce, etc. You need to get a list from the speech pathologist. Cassaroles are good. And small bites are very important. Bob prefers NOT to drink thickened liquids from a "sippy" cup and takes too large of a sip when he uses regular containers, so the tube is really a blessing. I understand the adversity to the idea, but once there (we had no choice) you will find it is extremely helpful in maintainng optimum care of the person. I'm thankful that we have it! Elaine Grimmesey The best of luck to you. Elaine Grimmesey Insurance Coordinator Student Health Service UC, Santa Barbara grimmesey-e@... 805 893-2086 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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