1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Anyone heard about therapy with VitalStim for swallowing problems?

Posted by patriciagsr @patriciagsr, Jun 21, 2019

I have read wonderful reviews about treatments using VitalStim. Shirley Ryan in Chicago is one of the best and I know JH does it as well and with good reviews.
I asked my ent doctor and they don’t do it in Mayo, and when I asked why they told not good reviews and I haven’t read any bad review so far! At the end they told me to do it if I want but but with no endorsement of amago Clinic. This is an amazing treatment with electricity to help the internal muscles to swallow.

Anybody has had any experience ?

Thanks

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avi | @avi | Jan 13, 2022

My mother, 81, suffered a stroke in Dec 2019. Her swallow ability is impaired - she has been on a Ryles Tube since then. We are considering Vitalstim treatment. Good to read some positive reviews. Any more personal experiences?
(Thx Mayo Clinic for this opp to connect)

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @avi "My mother, 81, suffered a stroke in Dec 2019. Her swallow ability is impaired - she..." + (show)
@avi

My mother, 81, suffered a stroke in Dec 2019. Her swallow ability is impaired - she has been on a Ryles Tube since then. We are considering Vitalstim treatment. Good to read some positive reviews. Any more personal experiences?
(Thx Mayo Clinic for this opp to connect)

Jump to this post

Hi Avi, a belated welcome to you. I hope that the Vitalstim therapy may be a positive option for your mom. Does your mom have any other long-term complications from the stroke?

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jan 21, 2022
In reply to @avi "My mother, 81, suffered a stroke in Dec 2019. Her swallow ability is impaired - she..." + (show)
@avi

My mother, 81, suffered a stroke in Dec 2019. Her swallow ability is impaired - she has been on a Ryles Tube since then. We are considering Vitalstim treatment. Good to read some positive reviews. Any more personal experiences?
(Thx Mayo Clinic for this opp to connect)

Jump to this post

@avi. The Vitalstim was used with me a couple of years ago when i was in rehab. I was rehabbing from some brain lesions, which, among other things, made it difficult to swallow. The speech therapist would come at lunch and dinner and put this small contraption on my throat. The ‘stimulator’ would give me a smallish electrical jolt as i swallowed. The first few times were not too much fun, but i can swallow now without coughing.
Have you found a local program that offers vitalstim and some information classes before?

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johnkemp | @johnkemp | Sep 15, 2022

Hi.
We are in the UK & wonder if any other Stroke sufferers live there?
Our daughter had a BS Stroke, Nov 2019, leaving her paralysed, from the neck down, & unable to eat, drink or speak.
We wonder if anybody has found a VitalStim SLT professional, in the UK, &/or can tell us their experience of them please?
Thanks in advance.
John

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momnxtdr | @momnxtdr | Sep 15, 2022

I have "jackhammer esophagus". I asked my GI doctor about it. He said he had heard a lot of negative results and wasn't comfortable endorsing it or making referrals. Changing my diet, less acidic, gas really helped me. High protein with fiber, green veggies, and lots of warm soups has been life changing. I'm Mexican so really miss salsa. Oh well!!it's so nice to be able to swallow.

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1 reply
johnkemp | @johnkemp | Sep 16, 2022
In reply to @momnxtdr "I have "jackhammer esophagus". I asked my GI doctor about it. He said he had heard..." + (show)
@momnxtdr

I have "jackhammer esophagus". I asked my GI doctor about it. He said he had heard a lot of negative results and wasn't comfortable endorsing it or making referrals. Changing my diet, less acidic, gas really helped me. High protein with fiber, green veggies, and lots of warm soups has been life changing. I'm Mexican so really miss salsa. Oh well!!it's so nice to be able to swallow.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the feedback.

John

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