Thanks so much! I'm still so overwhelmed with all of this and trying to find answers and potential treatments. My doctor says there is nothing left to do. I was considering Mayo Clinic but have no idea where to start. Ugh. I appreciate your links and tagging others as well.

If your doc says there's nothing left to do, you should definitely continue to seek answers. There's always a higher authority on everything - whether a doc or grocery store complaint! If you're interested in the Mayo Clinic, simply start by using contact info from their website. Once you have someone on the line, you can ask to be directed to the division that handles your gastro/esophogus issues. Good luck! Is IS frustrating at times. I know mine has gotten much better by going back on Aciphex and watching the acid foods. I can usually get by with a bit of cheating for something special!

Thanks. Still persuing treatment.

@tryingtofindanswers

Hi. Jim here. I just posted on the esophagus issues conversation. I wouldn't accept the notion that there's nothing more to be done. I think that there's always more to be done.

In the past couple of months, my pcp, an ENT doctor, a speech therapist and others for other issues, have been working together to find answers to my swallowing problems. There are many resources available to you.

Gotta go.

Jim

Hi @tryingtofindanswers,

If you would like to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. You can also request an appointment online. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments
When you call, they will ask questions to help direct you to the best specialist, either at Mayo Clinic or closer to home.

Hi from @darlia
I have recently been diagnosed with Ineffective Esophagial Motility Disorder.. or IEM, I am told. My Gastroenterologist told me that there is not anything to do for it, so I try to be careful to be very aware of chewing and swallowing. I can choke easily on food, drink pill or nothing!. I've been tested with many swallowing tests which all come back to say that I don't have any blockage or problem other then the IEM. I do also have GERD, Gastroparesis and sliding hiatal hernia and am currently taking Pepcid only at night, I think 40 mg. I've had the swallowing issues for most of my life and I am going to be 59 soon. IN a couple of weeks....so I am just looking for any help here from anyone who knows more about it and this looked like a good place to ask. I publish on Neuropathy, Autoimmune and Digestive Health too. I started a post titled FGFR3 Antibody in the Neuropathy group which I also have been diagnosed as having which is the cause of my Peripheral Neuropathy.
I did take years ago Prevacid and after taking it for many years, I told my Dr,. that I should not, because I only have one kidney as it is and it reported that it could cause kidney problems. She agree and put me on the Pepcid. It amazes me how we have to be our own advocates when it comes to the meds we are prescribed. It can cost us our life if we don't!
Darlia

@darlia

Have you seen a speech therapist? I was referred to one, and I found that the exercises she gave me helped with my swallowing difficulties, which frankly surprised me. I also started taking a decongestant, and that helped with the constant mucous drainage. The speech therapist said that mucous builds up in my throat causing the food to slow down as it made its way to the stomach. I was always needing to swallow the drainage, and sometimes I just couldn't.

Like you, I have to chew and chew and chew, and drink only sips at a time, no straw (it propels the liquid to the back of the mouth too quickly), and no carbonated drinks. I fudge on that when I eat out. Liquid can get into the vocal folds, too, almost like aspirating, if the folds don't block the liquid as they're supposed to.

I never gave a thought to swallowing - it's usually a job that happens automatically. Age certainly has changed the way I do a number of things. I'm 67. I try not to think about that too much because it makes me think about how close I am to 70, and I guess that makes me feel old.

Jim

Hello @jimhd and @darlia

I agree with speech therapy and practicing the exercises they give you. I have a paralyzed vocal cord and had surgery to "fill-in" the floppy cord. Prior to that swallowing and speech was very difficult and at times frightening. While it has been several years since the surgery I'm still careful with swallowing (eating small mouthfuls like Jim said) and watching the quantity and types of liquid. it all does make a difference.

Teresa

@darlia

Good for you! You have learned an important lesson - being our own advocate is vital to our health. That is a real important lesson for us all. I always read reports from tests and ask questions and research on my own.

Teresa