Swallowing

I am 67 and have experienced this several times. I haven't seen a doctor about it yet

If you don’t mind my asking…

Do you plan on seeing the dr for this?

Have you had problems with your cervical spine? I’m wondering if my troubles stem from damage I did to my neck due to a fall from 25 years ago. I do have nerve problems with neck and lumbar area.

Trying to make sense of it. I understand nerves from the neck innervate the shoulders (have issues that come and go often with them too). I’m wondering if the necks nerves have anything to do with the swallowing actions (I have polyradiculopathy of neck and lumbar w/severe nerve damage) that has not gotten better. The nm doctor when asked, said its the entire neck (the PolyRad) so that covers a good surface area.

I am trying to figure out and understand why and settle one health issue at a time. Why the body seems to be revolting.

How long between the attempt to initiate a swallow and the actual swallowing action did it take you? For me, it was about 5 seconds or so (around).

It happens mostly late day to night…I think when I’m tired it happens more.
Does this happen with you? Does time of day matter when it happens to you?

How long have you been having the trouble with this swallowing? It’s just been about a month for me that I can remember.

Since 2021 I grind meds because I developed issues with swallowing pills (nearly choked on pill), I still grind larger pills, others I take w/applesauce.
There are times it takes multiple swallows to get pills down. Some pills take 4+ tries with applesauce. Other pills go down slower so follow with water until its down. I take one at a time.

I don’t know if you take meds, but if you do, do you have any trouble swallowing pills?

I appreciate your reply to my post.

Thank you.

I have a neurological disorder (recently diagnosed at Mayo) and have had swallowing difficulties for a number of years. At Mayo, they determined that although I do have a neurological disorder, the swallowing difficulties are due to a mechanical problem. They did a fluoroscope exam to determine this. I think my neurological disorder may exacerbate the problem, since stress seems to worsen the problem, and it gets worse as I tire, but it seems to be mostly just the mechanical/structural problem causing most of my difficulty.

I recently started to have trouble speaking. It hurts to talk and triggers a Cervicogenic headache which follows the occipital path. Just in the past few days, I feel as though something sharp is jabbing in my throat . I felt it about 6 months ago but it passed. Now it has returned and during an episode, it feels as if something sharp is stuck in my throat when I swallow. My ENT locally said it is Laryngopharyngeal and told me to take Gaviscon Advance at bedtime and is referring me to a Speechpathologist. BUT I also have inflammation and structural/ arthritic issues at C1,C2. Mayo is treating me the C1,C2 issues. Now they have ordered a Speech/swallow test.
Maybe swallowing is associated with the Cervical Spine

I’m sorry for what you are going through Kathy. Nerves and the body are complicated. I hope because your symptoms are very specific they help you and find out what is causing your distressing symptoms. 💜

Thank is what I’ve been wondering myself, if something cervical could be causing some problems.

Back in 2021 they did a swallowing test with X-rays. I could not get the report from the speech dr. When the technologist showed me the action back then she pointed to a bone almost protruding into the neck area/throat. It was my neck. She didn’t comment on it other than pointing it out. I had a bad fall years before and it did damage. I guess it takes time for problems to develop?

Between the swallowing, shoulders etc I hope she does imaging to see where the neck/throat is at. Because the shoulder pain also at times runs down arm causing pins and some numbness in fingers are beneath arm/the underside that comes and goes (thats new too).

Hmmm. A few months before other lower extremity troubles, I had migraines about 18 days out of a month for a few months. I saw a neuro who threw a lot of drugs at me to see what helped. Not to find out what was causing them. I was concerned because when I’d get them it was occasional. This I could not shake. They left like they came suddenly.

I hope you find relief and get answers…feel better 🤗

Thank you West. I am glad you know what the problems are so you can be helped properly.

I have been wondering if I’ve got similar issues. I hurt my neck a long time ago and a swallow study showed a bone in the neck in the throat area. So I wonder if it could be that. I know I have issues with my neck.

I hope they figure out whats happening. It is distressing. I had a decent day yesterday then it happened when I was trying to get to bed. Just could not force a swallow. We shall see.

I have a brain tumor and had a swallow study done along with a myriad of other tests. Come to find out, I only have one vocal cord so yes, sometimes it feels like I can’t get the swallow ‘mechanism’ to work. Other times, I simply have to make sure I take smaller bites, chew thoroughly and have liquid to help was down food.

i am sorry to hear that.. Thank you for telling me what works for you. I’ve been doing the same. The liquid helps so far.
Thank you for sharing Marjorie.

a couple of thoughts.

Generally, for folks who are ok with trying natural medicine...

Cranio-Sacral Therapy is an interesting choice. Very focused on the neck (and head).

So, I guess it would be interesting to see what their take on this would be.

Developed by a bio-physicist, so not really "natural medicine."

Similar to chiropractic, but gentler.

++++

Alexander Technique is a movement technique. Developed around 1900, by an opera singer, who lost his voice. By doing various movement work, he was able to regain his voice.

This therapy is widely used by singers and, in general the performance community.

Good for balance, voice, many things.

++++

Another thing I learned from my endless support groups, trying to heal from endless medical problems...

If you can't do a movement...imagine yourself doing that movement. Seems nutty, but...

What this will do, is that the brain will send some electrical energy to that area. When we think about an area of the body, it sends an electrical signal to that area of the body. This has been tested. If someone thinks about their thumb and electrode sensors are placed on the thumb...the thought registers at a level that can be measured.

Athletes intuitively know about this. Before an athletic engagement, they will imagine, in detail, everything they are about to do. It has some tangible effect. Any professional athlete will tell you this.

This is not, you know, an alternative to getting the problem diagnosed by a medical professional. These are a kind of "life hacks" to do re increasing function as the medical inquiry is going on.

Sam, thanks so much for posting such thoughtful, helpful information. Much food for thought. It’s encouraging.

I’ve found people have been through a lot medically and in life, have a wealth of experience to share and help to offer if willing and able - so thank you again.

~

I will look into cranio-sacral therapy. That sounds like something right up my alley. I will ask the pain mgmt doctor if this can be done with me with my neck damage (I need to print off my reports for her)…

The Alexander Technique sounds interesting. I’m also going to look this up for my guy who has voice problems (form of dystonia.) hopefully it’s something that will help him. It makes perfect sense. Mindful movements I would say. I’m already adjusting my posture as I type this. 😊

Imagine Action = Increased performance etc. I have done this exercise before without knowing its a think that athletes use. Interesting.

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful help. I appreciate it. 🙏🏻