1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Is feeling the need to swallow a lot an autoimmune thing?

Posted by vball91 @vball91, 1 day ago

For context, I have cerebellar ataxia caused by some autoimmune process, but we don’t know what. Recently, I’ve been feeling the need to swallow a lot. Not sure if it’s because I’m producing more saliva or what. Has anyone else experienced this with autoimmune issues?

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | 17 hours ago

@vball91 This sounds like it could be a problem. Do you also have too much saliva at night? How do you manage at night? Did your doctor ever talk about this as side effects to your AD or medications?

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1 reply
cmmichaela | @cmmichaela | 8 hours ago

I had experienced ataxia of sorts and after a couple of bouts of paralysis and other muscle and nerve issues was finally, after twelve years of symptoms, diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I did not experience GI issues and many doctors are unaware that there are over 200 symptoms of Celiac (other than GI), so it often goes untested for. I also experienced the need to frequently swallow when my thyroid gland was enlarged, which can also happen with Celiac. I did ask for an ultrasound. If you haven't already been screened for Celiac and/or thyroid issues, perhaps that could be worth investigating?

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1 reply
lasks | @lasks | 8 hours ago

I have cerebellar ataxia that is autoimmune. You may be having trouble swallowing so it seems like you are having more saliva, but it is because you aren't able to swallow the saliva like you use to.

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1 reply
vball91 | @vball91 | 4 hours ago
In reply to @cmmichaela "I had experienced ataxia of sorts and after a couple of bouts of paralysis and other..." + (show)
@cmmichaela

I had experienced ataxia of sorts and after a couple of bouts of paralysis and other muscle and nerve issues was finally, after twelve years of symptoms, diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I did not experience GI issues and many doctors are unaware that there are over 200 symptoms of Celiac (other than GI), so it often goes untested for. I also experienced the need to frequently swallow when my thyroid gland was enlarged, which can also happen with Celiac. I did ask for an ultrasound. If you haven't already been screened for Celiac and/or thyroid issues, perhaps that could be worth investigating?

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I have been screened for celiac. Negative. I do have hypothyroidism. Maybe it has something to do with that.

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vball91 | @vball91 | 4 hours ago
In reply to @lasks "I have cerebellar ataxia that is autoimmune. You may be having trouble swallowing so it seems..." + (show)
@lasks

I have cerebellar ataxia that is autoimmune. You may be having trouble swallowing so it seems like you are having more saliva, but it is because you aren't able to swallow the saliva like you use to.

Jump to this post

It’s not trouble swallowing, which I know is common with ataxia, but maybe I am not swallowing saliva like I used to.

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vball91 | @vball91 | 4 hours ago
In reply to @becsbuddy "@vball91 This sounds like it could be a problem. Do you also have too much saliva..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@vball91 This sounds like it could be a problem. Do you also have too much saliva at night? How do you manage at night? Did your doctor ever talk about this as side effects to your AD or medications?

Jump to this post

I’ll look into medication side effects. Thanks.

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