Swallowing difficulties

I’m sorry this is happening to you. I’m not a doctor, but I have SFN and my dad has dysphagia—he is in his 70’s. It’s extremely common as a result of a stroke (which is his situation), but he had problems shortly before the stroke which may have been related to the changes he was experiencing in his brain.

I say all this to say…I think it’s possible. It could be a miscommunication between the nerves going to your brain, or it could be muscle weakness caused by something else. For example, dysphagia is more common in people with connective tissue disorders where the tissues are more lax and require more strength to control.

With the statins, there’s just no way to know. I’m not familiar with research thing the two together but the population who’s on statins are also more likely to develop dysphagia, neuropathy, etc.

Have you asked your neurologist or the person who diagnosed you?

There is good treatment available to help strengthen the muscles. Were you able to discuss treatment options?

One thing I learned is swallowing and the interactions between the muscles, nerves, and brain is very complex and also related to speech and thinking. I’d highly, highly recommend finding a good speech therapist (they evaluate and treat dysphagia after it’s been diagnosed) and/or getting a swallowing study if you haven’t yet. Or well for my dad, he has a consult with speech first and she said we needed a swallowing study and his doctor ordered one. That told her exactly where the problem was and what he could do to make it better. It’s a long road because his root cause is stroke—neuroplasticity is miraculous, but it takes a lot of time and practice. Especially if it’s caught early and people get into good treatment soon, it can often get better.

He also uses a device called “The Breather,” where you inhale and exhale against resistance. It’s like weight lifting for your swallowing muscles. Studies show that breathing against resistance strengthens those muscles and can improve dysphagia. It’s available on Amazon.

Wishing you all the best.

Hi,
Yes it can be from a neuropathy. I have it from autonomic polyneuropathy which can cause corrupted signals to the muscles. In my case it can and tries to close the throat when it so decides. Use of an antihistomine can relax the muscles giving some relief.
I have been lucky enough to react to statins so have rearely taken them.
Cheers

My GI doctor injected botox in my throat which has helped my swallowing issue quite a bit.

Has anyone experiencing difficulty swallowing also found that it is also affecting your voice? I have difficulty swallowing and my voice has also changed. I also have a difficult time speaking.

Thanks to emo for your advice. I do have an upcoming appointment in November with a speech pathologist and an x-ray video swallow; and another appointment with an ENT for evaluation of cricopharyngeal area. The device called The Breather is interesting; I will ask the speech pathologist about that. Thanks again.

I have dysphagia from my rare hereditary neuropathy (HNPP). I’ve had some issues for 20 years, but it has been a monumental issue for 9 years now. I struggle with most foods and produce is out so hard to eat healthy. At first I thought I had ALS when I aspirated food about 50 times in 3 weeks then I virtually quit eating for a month and lost 25 pounds causing my heart to freak out. Two neurologists working together ruled out ALS, myasthenia gravis, MS, etc. and determined it was my neuropathy that I’ve had since my teens. I have trouble controlling the food in my mouth, aspirate when food goes down my throat before I swallow, trouble with food sticking in my throat, trouble biting cheeks, tongue, inside bottom lip. I’m very limited on my food choices. Have lived off protein drinks mostly for 9 years because the more solid food I eat the more my chewing/swallowing muscles get fatigued for days or weeks to come. I also get fatigue in arms and legs. In fact, when I read about myasthenia gravis, it describes many of my issues. One neurologist wanted to try mestinon which is a med used for MG. I always have such scary side effects to meds I was afraid to try it. It’s also known for causing severe diarrhea which I find an unacceptable quality of life issue.

As for voice, I’ve noticed my voice has become weaker over the years. I always feel like I have to yell to project. I’m hoarse a lot. A few years ago my singing voice (car only lol) had become vibrato (quivering). I asked my neurologist if I was going to start talking like Katherine Hepburn. She said only a 5% chance of that. Singing puts more strain on your voice than talking.

My endocrinologist would not put me on statins because of my pre-x neuropathy. Many meds and supplements cause pins and needles all over for days or weeks after just a single dose.

My particular neuropathy causes a wide range of issues throughout my body. My son inherited it as well (confirmed by genetic testing). We have some of the same issues and some different from each other.

I can sympathize with everyone that has any form of neuropathy. Challenging to say the least.

Yep, that’s what happened to my dad. The same part of the brain handles swallowing, speaking, and cognition. And many of the same muscles are involved.

The best thing for him was seeing a speech therapist. They treat swallowing, speech, and cognition. Highly recommend it. I have a special place in my heart for speech therapists because they’re so patient and knowledgeable, far more than any physician we saw because that’s their area of expertise.

You’re welcome. I really, really hope it helps. There can be a lot of potential for improvement even with a nerve condition. Given my nerve condition and my dad’s stroke was severe… I am very thankful for neuroplasticity. It’s taken him a lot of practice and repetition and he’s not where he hopes to be, but there is marked progress.

That’s so interesting; thanks for sharing. Do you know what the purpose of the Botox is, to help with swallowing?

My dad gets Botox; however it’s to decrease hyper-salivation. Since Botox temporarily paralyzes some of the nerves there that produce saliva, it decreases salivation. And I get Botox for a similar reason, but for hyperhidrosis related to an autonomic nervous system condition.

So I’ve only thought of it has weakening or turning down nerves and muscles, not for making something stronger.

It helps to keep my esophagus open so food passes easily. I had to take a drink with every swallow before to get food to pass. Now it seems much better. I couldn't even eat ice cream without it coming back up. Said it should last for about 2 years. Done when I had an EGD.