@rwinney

I saw a speech therapist a few years ago and had 2 different swallowing tests. I have to chew everything until it's puree, then swallow some and wait for it to clear the upper esophageal sphincter, then wait for it to clear the lower one. It took me 45 seconds to swallow a quarter inch piece of a shortbread cookie. Same for a piece of a french fry. Some things take longer and some seem just to slide on down. I find myself eating less because I get tired of the process, plus the food is cold long before I can eat it. An ENT doctor tested me and said that the movement at the back of my tongue is uncoordinated. So far, weight loss hasn't been a problem, but she warned me not to lose any more weight - I lost 60 pounds 3 years ago and I'm the size I was after college. But if I got sick and lost much weight, I'd be underweight. I'm near the bottom for my height, but I'm happy where I am.

I have an appointment with the urologist in February. I take Oxybutynin, the cheaper version of Myrbetric, and I don't have to go as often as I was, but I don't have much warning. When I feel the urge to urinate, I have 5 minutes at best. I've had to make quick stops when I'm driving, to find a bush. I'm afraid a cop will catch me at it one of these times.

The doctors can't tell me if any of the stuff is nerve related, only that it could be. The definitive answers are few and far between with regards to pn.

I met on Friday with the Abbott rep and he recalibrated my scs. I have 2 settings. The one that I'll usually have on is the Burst technology, which I don't feel. The second one is an adjustable one that I use for a little while at bedtime. It tingles from my thighs to my toes. I wouldn't want to have it set for that all the time, but it has a bit of a massage effect. My feet seem to hurt less after a session.

Life is complicated.

Jim

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