Suggestions for Parkinson's diet with choking issues?

Posted by mary42 @mary42, Mar 31, 2024

My husband, 85 years old, with Parkinson's, diagnosed about 7 years ago. He has other neurological issues stemming from a slip and fall in 2008. He can still walk to the bathroom with his walker but otherwise lives in his recliner 23 hours a day. He will not exercise. His current issue is choking on food. I use Thick It in liquids which has helped a lot. He has started refusing potatoes, noodles and rice. Meats seem to be the most frequent problem. He'll cough and clear his throat repeatedly trying to dislodge bits of food. I can't seem to even offer him a healthy diet. Canned fruit and meatloaf work pretty well. I'm going to start him on daily protein drinks. I would appreciate any suggestions from those of you dealing with this issue.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Jan 26 5:13pm

My spouse has a paralyzed vocal cord as well. Thank you for the info.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 26 6:08pm

In reply to @sillyblone "My spouse has a paralyzed vocal cord as well. Thank you for the info." + (show)

You're most welcome! This is a great forum for sharing experiences, @sillyblone. Keep me posted on how he is doing.

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Jan 27 10:29pm

In reply to @hopeful33250 "You're most welcome! This is a great forum for sharing experiences, @sillyblone. Keep me posted on..." + (show)

He really has a hard time getting rid of mucous. Coughing more. I encourage water. He is stubborn..but, he realizes that I am informed when I make a decision and always try to let him know that I am his best partner and wife. I try to keep several steps ahead of potential problems. I have heard how much he loves me in the last 24 hours. Good day indeed. Thank you for your insight and interest. 🫂

jatonlouise | @jatonlouise | Feb 9 10:27am

My neurologist referred me to a spech therapist. I wondered why but discovered that the muscles you use to sing, and talk are the same muscles you use to swallow. So the speech therapist has exercises that can help you swallow, and things you can do when you are having difficyult swallowing. Some of the exercises seem silly and indeed they are. On of them involves putting some water in a bottle, taking a sute - larger that a straw, and blowing bubles and singing into the tube. Things that might get you sent to your room when you were a kid and did that at the dinner table. Try toget to a speech therapist.

sajaxon50 | @sajaxon50 | Feb 22 5:47pm

I had trouble swallowing until the GI doctor did a endoscopy and found that I have Eosinophilic esophagitis(EoE). Treating me now with Dupixant. I can swallow with hardly any problems and even better I don’t need miralax daily for what was constipation issues

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 23 1:28pm

In reply to @sajaxon50 "I had trouble swallowing until the GI doctor did a endoscopy and found that I have..." + (show)

Hello, @sajaxon50, and welcome to the Parkinson's support group on Mayo Connect. I'm so pleased to hear that your swallowing problems were helped with the correct diagnosis and medication. Here are links to some articles that you might find interesting, with more information about this disorder
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/ and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/newsfeed-post/voice-breathing-and-swallowing-concerns-recent-research-from-the-eds-clinic/
As you posted in the Parkinson's support group, would you share your journey with Parkisnon's. For example, how long ago were you diagnosed? What other symptoms have you experienced?

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Mar 4 12:39pm

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Swallowing problems are difficult to deal with, @sillyblone. I have swallowing problems due to a paralyzed..." + (show)

Thank you! My spouse has a paralyzed vocal cord.He also has a nagging non productive cough. I have been told coughing harder and out can help with the phlegm. It worked. He gives up using the technique as he says" It is stupid".

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 4 3:16pm

In reply to @sillyblone "Thank you! My spouse has a paralyzed vocal cord.He also has a nagging non productive cough...." + (show)

@sillyblone
I'm sorry to hear that your husband is having such a difficult time with coughing due to his paralyzed vocal cord. As I may have mentioned, I also have a paralyzed vocal cord. It is considered, "idiopathic," which means the doctors do not know why or how it became paralyzed.

What do you know about the reason for this condition? Has he been evaluated for surgery to help him with the problem? Here is a link to an article from Cleveland Clinic that describes Thyroplasty, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22748-thyroplasty.

Has your husband been evaluated for Thyroplasty? While it cannot cure the paralyzed cord, it might help the symptoms. If he has not been evaluated by an otolaryngologist who specializes in this surgery, you might consider seeking a referral.

sillyblone | @sillyblone | Mar 4 4:19pm

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@sillyblone I'm sorry to hear that your husband is having such a difficult time with coughing..." + (show)

He is near Stage 5 in his Parkinsons. He does not do well with anesthesia. He has had covid which gave him a cardiac issue as well. He has other conditions to many to name. Thank you for the info. I read it and after his surgery in 2024 he does not do well. It has changed him in more ways than I would have ever imagined.
Again thank you.🩵

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | 6 days ago

In reply to @sillyblone "He is near Stage 5 in his Parkinsons. He does not do well with anesthesia. He..." + (show)

I'm so sorry to hear of all of his issues, @sillyblone. I'm gathering from your post that the anesthesia from the 2024 surgery must have worsened his PD symptoms.

Are there any therapies that can help him with swallowing?