Swallowing difficulties

Posted by catrina @catrina, Nov 8, 2022

I've been diagnosed with covid long haulers. This is my second out with covid. I am now experiencing severe swallowing problems. I've been scheduled for it and EGD and esophageal manometry test and now they're going to send me to speech therapy. I'm not only joking on my food but when I go to swallow nothing happens. My gastro doctor thinks that this could be a viral neurological effect from the covid.

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jlkdaggett | @jlkdaggett | Nov 9, 2022

I’m having a similar issue from a vax injury now. I’ve done manometry (waiting on results) and FEES testing. Are you seeing neurology?? I have tilt table testing tomorrow. I suspect the swallow issue is my struggling nervous system. Would be interested to hear if they want you to see a neurologist… I’m thinking I may need to?

catrina | @catrina | Nov 9, 2022

In reply to @jlkdaggett "I’m having a similar issue from a vax injury now. I’ve done manometry (waiting on results)..." + (show)

I've been seeing a neurologist for years. My neck is fused and I have a spinal cord stimulator put in in March. I also get BOTOX for my migraines for my neurologist. I will be seeing her next week to discuss all the new findings to see you if they can help me in any way. In the last two weeks I'm getting choked on food and water I have constant heartburn. I work in ICU so I know the complications that can happen. Thank you for sharing your story. Did they find anything out in your manometry tests?

thomason | @thomason | Nov 10, 2022

@catrina, have you had an ENT check for vocal cord paralysis? That is what happened to me after having covid twice. You can still eat, drink and speak with paralyzed vocal cords. It needs a nasal scoping done to determine if this is the cause. Do you get short-of-breath? Covid caused many vocal cord issues. Best wishes to you.

catrina | @catrina | Nov 10, 2022

In reply to @thomason "@catrina, have you had an ENT check for vocal cord paralysis? That is what happened to..." + (show)

I've had the same primary care for 4 months with absolutely no results. I've just switched over to a new primary care doctor and it's like starting from the very beginning. I see her again next week and I will pursue the ENT visit again. Thank you for the advice.

jlkdaggett | @jlkdaggett | Nov 11, 2022

In reply to @catrina "I've been seeing a neurologist for years. My neck is fused and I have a spinal..." + (show)

The results are going to take 4-6 weeks due to staffing issues (only one dr reads them!?) so TBD… it’s hard to wait! I hope you get faster turn around. I’ve loved working with speech to build my confidence around eating safely. However esophageal issues are really frustrating! Im unsure if it’s ultimately connected to POTS for me? Are you able to get any calories in?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 11, 2022

@catrina, I think that you will learn a lot from speech therapy. They do so much more than just working with speech.

In addition to the helpful tips you've received from members like @jlkdaggett and @thomason, you might find these related discussions of interest:
- Trouble Swallowing - Need new doctors and advice and help please https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trouble-swallowing-need-new-doctors-and-advice-and-help-please/
- Swallowing problems: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/swallowing-problems/

I'll be interested to know what you learn from the EGD and esophageal manometry tests and speech therapy.

efueman | @efueman | Nov 15, 2022

I experience this from time to time too, I’ll be eating something and all of a sudden it’s hard to chew and swallow my food. This LC is crazy

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