acid reflux

[awieleba]

Thanks Rose!

That is good advice. I think I may switch my appt from the ent to the throat dr. I dont like wasting time as I have 3 kids to tow along or find sitters for. I dont have any ear or nose problems. I was told that I have a post nasal drip. honestly, I dont have a good feeling about this at all, none of it. I am switching, I have good insurance and I dont need a referral to see a specialist. Why not start at the top! Can a laryngologist do swallow tests? I dont have swallowing problems but do have lump in the throat or mucus feeling with haorseness.


Take care and thanks for sharing so much information. It is good to have that, this is all can be such a puzzle.

April

 

[rose]

for awieleba

Hi April, I see no problem with you switching to a laryngologist, because that is an even more specialized field than an ENT, so that doctor would also have the background training for your nose and ears if needed.

Who would perform the swallow test would be a speech pathologist though. It is important to note that the the specific title is "pathologist" not "therapist".

Usually one has to go to a teaching hospital to have that sort of test performed, it probably wouldn't be at a local radiology facility.

The name of the test is a "modified barium swallow" if you have a prescription that says "barium swallow" it will just be the big styrofoam tumbler of barium (absolutely the nastiest stuff!) to gulp down, as opposed to the modified swallow, where there are very small quantities of barium from a very thin consistency working up to some mixed in yogurt or applesauce. Some people also have to "take a pill". I didn't do that, but did have to take a bite of a graham cracker sandwich that had some of the yogurt stuff for filling. Let me tell you, the yogurt really didn't taste all that bad either! When I came into the room, they already had little paper pill cups (like fast food restaurants have for ketchup to go into) lined up waiting for me, so that's how small of an amount you have to drink. Just no comparison with the other barium swallow (yuck)!

... You know, about the lump in your throat sensation, (I don't have it) I remember someone else posting about what that is called in medical jargon, and maybe even what they were told it was, but I don't remember where I read it ....~ now watch, tomorrow I'll wake up with a lump in my throat LOL

I had my modified swallow test done in one visit, but, the speech pathologists told me that ordinarily it is done in two separate sessions, the first one that is an interview/exam where they listen to you talk, look in your mouth, take a history etc, and then a separate appointment for the actual test. Maybe if you explain about the kids being so young, they could make it all one appointment for you as well. I didn't even have to change into one of those exam gowns, its a very site specific area that they get film of.

Hope this helps explain it, take care

 

[awieleba]

thanks!
I looked in the phone book for laryngologist and could not find one!? maybe I will use google or ask my neuro is she ever calls back! she works out of the teaching hospital that is thier als clinic. I may keep my appt and ask about some of the specific items that you mentioned!

thank you sooooo much for the guiding.

April

 

[gimpydad'slady]

April, Rose

APRIL:-D
You can get the modified barium swallow without the laryngologist. The Clinic you go to has a Speech Lanquage pathologist that supports the ALS clinic, she set up the modified barium swallow for my hubby at Harper. Like Rose said, the pathologist is what you want. I just wanted to let you know that they have the staff to support what you want done, at the clinic you go to. You really can see alot watching this test done. I knew my hubby was struggling with his food and liquid consumption, but you don't realize how much effort is really involved until you see it on the screen. He was being checked for aspiration, he thankfully is not doing that as of yet, and also to see what was going on with his swallowing efforts.

Bri did also see a ENT doc as well. Like Rose said, they are able to see things like atrophy, which unfortunately my Bri has. He could actually see spasms in his throat.

Just thought I would let you know. You might not hear from her today, because it is ALS clinic Friday.

ROSE :-D

It may have been my post you read about the lump in the throat sensation. I am sure that I am not the only one, but I had posted it resently under the Lithium thread. My hubby had side effects that caused him to have tremors and he also had the gritty, sand senstion in his throat. He also had what the Speech Pathologist refered to the Globus Senstion or spasm for the lump in the throat feeling he was having. He was taken off the lithium and in about 2 weeks the symptoms subsided.

 

[rose]

APRIL:-D
You can get the modified barium swallow without the laryngologist. The Clinic you go to has a Speech Lanquage pathologist that supports the ALS clinic, she set up the modified barium swallow for my hubby at Harper. Like Rose said, the pathologist is what you want. I just wanted to let you know that they have the staff to support what you want done, at the clinic you go to. You really can see alot watching this test done. I knew my hubby was struggling with his food and liquid consumption, but you don't realize how much effort is really involved until you see it on the screen. He was being checked for aspiration, he thankfully is not doing that as of yet, and also to see what was going on with his swallowing efforts.

Bri did also see a ENT doc as well. Like Rose said, they are able to see things like atrophy, which unfortunately my Bri has. He could actually see spasms in his throat.

Just thought I would let you know. You might not hear from her today, because it is ALS clinic Friday.

ROSE :-D

It may have been my post you read about the lump in the throat sensation. I am sure that I am not the only one, but I had posted it resently under the Lithium thread. My hubby had side effects that caused him to have tremors and he also had the gritty, sand senstion in his throat. He also had what the Speech Pathologist refered to the Globus Senstion or spasm for the lump in the throat feeling he was having. He was taken off the lithium and in about 2 weeks the symptoms subsided.

Thanks! I knew I read it somewhere on here fairly recently ( about the globus sensation) And, I agree, that modified swallow test is very interesting. I think that there is a lot of information to be had from that single test, compared to so many others, that are more difficult to go through. Its like you get more bang for the buck with that one

April, you might not be able to locate a laryngologist on your own, however, the ENT specialist that you see should have someone that they can recommend.... thats good news that gimpydad'slady says the modified swallow is available at the clinic you go to. It should simplify things for you.

 

[gimpydad'slady]

Rose

That is one of the reasons I like the ALS clinic that hubby goes to. They have the important support team, and they have the connections to more specific needs if they arise. I think it helps to keep the patients from having too many chiefs poking and proding. All the medical info is there and is shared. That way everyone knows what is going on, as long as the notes are kept up to date...:lol:

As for the actual testing, it was all I could do to not burst into tears when I actually saw the struggle of his food consumption. Seeing the results from that test definatly made me work harder with his meal planning. I mean I always tried to make things he liked, but I spent the evening after his appointment on line looking at all different kinds of ways to prepare foods, everything from casseroles to pressure cooking meats. Also trying to make sure that each meal would be appealing to the eyes as well as the pallete, and not difficult to consume. I feel like I have become a nutritionist. Trying to keep the caloric intake at least 2200, and all of it easy to consume, and somewhat healthy, is a big challenge, just as eating has become for him.

I wish you both success in finding your answers....God Bless!

 

[awieleba]

gimpy!~
you are such a blessing to brian and the way you take care of him! the clinic (mickey) has not called me back since tuesday, I must not be high on the priorty list! That could be a good thing!?

I am keeping my appt w/ent on monday (mainly bcuz I hate waiting) and we'll see how it goes.

thanks ladies!

april