1. < Neuropathy

Swallowing difficulties

Posted by lrh Peggy @lrh, Sep 18 2:26pm

I have SFN and was recently diagnosed with a swallowing disorder called Oropharyngeal Dysphagia which weakens the throat muscles and makes it difficult to swallow. One of the risk factors for this condition is neurological or nervous system disorders. So my question is, can this swallowing condition be one of the effects of Neuropathy? Also I have always suspected my many years of Statin drugs has caused me to have neuropathy and since Statins are a known cause of muscle problems, I suspect my throat muscles are the latest victims of Statins. (I no longer take Statins.)

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chuckiepoo1 | @chuckiepoo1 | Sep 23 7:10am

I recently have begun having indigestion and some choking when I eat foods that are dry and acidic. I have been bothered for years but to lesser degree and was diagnosed with slatsky's disease about 20 years ago. I have never had stretching or dilation of the throat. I am wondering if anyone else has slatzky's disease and what treatment they have had?

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juliet10 | @juliet10 | Sep 23 7:24am
In reply to @mitfit "I have difficulty swallowing and sometimes I can’t get food down. It burns and it’s really..." + (show)
@mitfit

I have difficulty swallowing and sometimes I can’t get food down. It burns and it’s really scary. I have had esophageal dilation and this helps. Swallowing is especially difficult for me with chicken and fish. I chew the food really well and drink a lot of water while eating.

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Hi I’m a speech pathologist and speech pathologists deal with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). That’s mostly what I deal with at my job. Has your GI doctor done a full work-up? If not, he should. The burning you feel could be caused by reflux due to GERD. There is medication for this. Also I would suggest you have a modified barium swallow study, which is an easy non-invasive procedure. Also see an ENT who should do endoscopy to view your throat. Let me know how it goes!

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1 reply
mitfit | @mitfit | Sep 23 7:47am
In reply to @juliet10 "Hi I’m a speech pathologist and speech pathologists deal with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). That’s mostly what..." + (show)
@juliet10

Hi I’m a speech pathologist and speech pathologists deal with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). That’s mostly what I deal with at my job. Has your GI doctor done a full work-up? If not, he should. The burning you feel could be caused by reflux due to GERD. There is medication for this. Also I would suggest you have a modified barium swallow study, which is an easy non-invasive procedure. Also see an ENT who should do endoscopy to view your throat. Let me know how it goes!

Jump to this post

I am having endoscopy on October 14 at Mayo. Really looking forward to answers. Thank you so much for your informative and thoughtful response.

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eis | @eis | Sep 23 9:22am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "Has anyone experiencing difficulty swallowing also found that it is also affecting your voice? I have..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

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.

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Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Diagnostic studies you may benefit from:
- Modified barium swallow study which assesses swallow.
- Videostroboscopy which assesses the vocal cords.
- Esophageal manometry which assesses the esophagus' ability to push food down into your stomach.
Your symptoms are definitely something your physician needs to be aware of. They may want to refer you to a neurologist or other specialist.
Praying you find relief soon.

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 23 9:38am
In reply to @nbailey7uh2edu3 "See the first paragraph in my long original posting above where I explain the conditions and..." + (show)
@nbailey7uh2edu3

See the first paragraph in my long original posting above where I explain the conditions and reason for me being prompted. Let me know if that is not adequate.

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I see that you were first diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy. Then when it moved down into your extremities, you were diagnosed with CIDP. Is there more to it that I missed?

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 23 9:54am
In reply to @eis "Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Diagnostic studies you may benefit from: - Modified barium swallow..." + (show)
@eis

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Diagnostic studies you may benefit from:
- Modified barium swallow study which assesses swallow.
- Videostroboscopy which assesses the vocal cords.
- Esophageal manometry which assesses the esophagus' ability to push food down into your stomach.
Your symptoms are definitely something your physician needs to be aware of. They may want to refer you to a neurologist or other specialist.
Praying you find relief soon.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. I was evaluated by an ENT PA the other day. Scoped the nasal passages down to vocal cords. Possible mild acid reflux. Recommends Flonase each evening. Anti-reflux med morning and evening. Right now the swallowing/sinus problems are low on my list. The severe, chronic pain levels(8-9 daily) are my main concern. Three and a half years searching for answers. No real solutions. Even with meds, it's still pretty bad. I have been trying to get a trial of a spinal cord stimulator for three months. The wheels of medicine turn very slowly here in Delaware. Appreciate your prayers.

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nbailey7uh2edu3 | @nbailey7uh2edu3 | Sep 23 12:17pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I see that you were first diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy. Then when it moved down into..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I see that you were first diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy. Then when it moved down into your extremities, you were diagnosed with CIDP. Is there more to it that I missed?

Jump to this post

It is believed that I probably had CIDP ten years earlier when I got the sleepy symptoms in my finger tips, and after an incomplete diagnostic exam was given an idiopathic "diagnosis." It was after the symptoms started expanding that I "demanded" a more comprehensive exam to determine the cause, which led to the CIDP diagnosis.

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 23 12:49pm
In reply to @nbailey7uh2edu3 "It is believed that I probably had CIDP ten years earlier when I got the sleepy..." + (show)
@nbailey7uh2edu3

It is believed that I probably had CIDP ten years earlier when I got the sleepy symptoms in my finger tips, and after an incomplete diagnostic exam was given an idiopathic "diagnosis." It was after the symptoms started expanding that I "demanded" a more comprehensive exam to determine the cause, which led to the CIDP diagnosis.

Jump to this post

Thanks. I guess the neurological tests I had done must have ruled our CIDP. The mystery continues.

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swilkins1974 | @swilkins1974 | Sep 24 9:13am

If you have not been test for H-Pylori you should do so. Maybe they will check when you have your endoscopy

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