silent aspiration

I would be interested to hear the results of your reflux test. I am sure I have silent reflux, diagnosed with gastritis, was once told I could be in line for Barrets Oesophagus, was put on PPIs for years but then I went off them. About 18 months ago I had a barium swallow which said no evidence of reflux.

Also I am a huge producer of mucus with lots of coughing.

I have silent aspiration according to a speech swallowing study I did at NJH. However, the Bravo study showed no reflux. I cough with certain foods...spicy and more. I see a speech pathologist. If I followed what I'm supposed to do , I shouldn't aspirate. Often I forget. Luckily, haven't had any repercussions. Good luck with the test results you're awaiting. Roz

@rozie83 Do you have cough with mucus production? Any other symptoms?

@cdward1028 Interesting? What particular foods cause your increased coughing?

I seldom have cough that I have not initiated for sputum.
Foods that are spicy or bites that are big. I follow the Fodmap diet. Sometimes water causes me to cough. I'm supposed to bend my neck when I swallow clear liquids, but I seldom remember to do that until I start coughing. Before I was diagnosed I coughed a lot in bed. Not anymore. I do have sputum production all day. When I'm home I bring it up and spit it out. I have had to spit it out on the walking path or into a tissue. I hate that. My mouth gets very dry, and I am hoarse from that. I am going to work with the speech pathologist on the hoarseness.

Thanks for your input. I have not have heartburn, trouble swallowing, coughing when eating or drinking. I don't believe that I have "silent aspiration" but we'll see what the results are. It seems that so far, no "diagnosis" fits not has any of the treatments provided much relief. Remain hopeful, but it is discouraging. Thanks again.

@rozie83

It seems that not all reflux tests are very accurate. I would be interested to know what your speech pathologist recommended to ease/prevent reflux? Tucking your chin down when swallowing clear liquids or tipping your head backwards? The smells from cooking (seldom these days) garlic ginger and chilli used to send me into coughing fits.

I wonder what is the best way to test for silent aspiration.

@narelled23 a barium swallow test can be done to check for aspiration. It’s for lack of technical terms to describe it an X-ray with live video so the speech pathologist and radiologist can review it in live time as you swallow liquids and solids with things that have barium mixed in making it visible on the screen. Easy and painless. While I didn’t have an aspiration issue, they did find a dysmotility issue meaning things get stuck for a moment (that feeling like something is in your throat). I’ve been told they don’t treat this, just told to eat slowly and drink water while eating to wash things down.

@narelled23 This is what they prescribed to help reflux during meals:
Take a small sip
Look down
Swallow hard
Swallow two times per bite
After 1-2 bites, take a sip (With Chin tuck) to clear residue
If you have to cough, cough HARD then swallow

I don't cook much. Mostly I eat easy to prepare soft foods. A lot of eggs, oatmeal, potatoes, chopped nuts, turkey burgers, pasta, some bread and bagels, etc.

@rozie83 Take pills with applesauce sometimes
Avoid mixing consistencies...no soup with carrots or noodles, etc
Another whole list from NJH.