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Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (Difficulty Swallowing)

Posted by ninawibb @ninawibb, Mar 25, 2024

Hi,

I developed cricopharyngeal dysfunction and difficulty swallowing in the past 6 months. I currently can't eat anything quickly (takes me sometimes an hour and a half to finish a small meal like a quinoa vegetable soup). I have to have most things either in liquid or have water nearby as it just gets stuck. I no longer eat "normal" foods like sandwiches and pasta etc. Mostly soups with pieces in them and smoothies. I have lost weight. I suspect silent reflux and covid contributed although no doctor has been able to confirm either theory. I do not have many allergies. My brain MRI did not show any neurological cause. I do have some cervical issues (MRI showed some degenerative change at C5-C6 and C6-C7) but the neurologist did not think it impacted swallowing. My recent endoscopy was normal but my manometry test showed higher than normal pressure in upper esophageal sphincter. I am working with a speech therapist and the modified barium swallow study she ordered also showed the dysfunction while eating and drinking. I am now working with an ENT who plans to do an additional dilation of the sphincter (GI dilated from 15 mm to 18 mm during endoscopy) and a botox injection to the cricopharyngeal muscle. I am wondering if anyone has had a Botox injection to help with cricopharyngeal dysfunction and, if so, what was your experience with this? Also, if anyone else has experienced cricopharyngeal dysfunction - did it get better? What helped?

Thanks!
Nina

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josk | @josk | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @suzannekay753 "Hello. I to have severe dysphasia due to radiation in 2013. I’m trying my best to..." + (show)
Profile picture for suzannekay753 @suzannekay753

Hello. I to have severe dysphasia due to radiation in 2013. I’m trying my best to avoid a feeding tube too. I am unable to even use the thickening product. I just drink ensure ( coughing all the time) puréed soups, peaches I use yogurt to swallow my crushed pills. I’m praying I’ll get better but I feel I’m fighting a loosing battle. I don’t eat in front of people because I have to spit a lot and I cough. Lots of thick phlegm. I had skull base reconstructive flap surgery january 3, 2023 and my swallowing is worse. Surgery was 12 hours long. They removed all the infected tissue and bone from skull base and put flaps(,pieces of my skin and veins) and covered it with new tissue and veins. Ugh. I’ve recovered from that but no swallowing and everything sticks to the flap on the roof of my mouth. Make sense? Anyway I just pray 🙏

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oops .. believe I missed this post?
Yes .. hear you completely on eating with other people! When on my own, I can cough out whatever that gets stuck in throat - but when with other people or in public environment, it would be impossible. Thus it restricts me in socializing and meeting up with family and friends.
On top of this - there is the hearing issue and also the dysarthria/speech issues.
I, now, go on the basis that I will do my best to keep my dysphagia & dysarthria from deteriorating (advised that it will get worse down the road because of the radiation) - and take one day at a time!
Cheers & all the best !!

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amymac | @amymac | Jan 10 11:49am
In reply to @phyllisg "How long did you have the dysphagia. I ask because my husband is over 2 months..." + (show)
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How long did you have the dysphagia. I ask because my husband is over 2 months out of surgery and still can't swallow even with doing the swallowing excercises.

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@phyllisg My husband is now 9 weeks post surgery: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF). He has been unable to swallow (total aphasia) and is on a feeding tube. All the medical professionals we have seen so far tell us it is a waiting issue and could take as long as 12 months to resolve. I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered this and were there any tests that could help determine whether permanent nerve damage may have occured.

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