Advice for choking on water?

[reg_1979]

Hi everyone.
I know that there is no way to accurately diagnose anything on the internet, but I'm unsure of how to proceed.

Back in early September, there was about a 2 week stretch where I would choke on liquids at least once a day. It felt almost like it went down the wrong pipe and left me coughing for a bit. I paid no attention to it at first, because I have a tendency to worry about health issues. At the end of the second week I (unwisely) googled swallowing problems. I went to get a speech evaluation / swallow study done and the swallow study was slightly abnormal (mild laryngeal penetration). I told the speech pathologist about my concerns and she said that because it only occurred on 1/3 of my liquid swallows I shouldn't worry. She said everything was functioning properly, my speech exam was perfect and that laryngeal penetration can sometimes occur normally.

Anyway I left it alone and a couple of months went by. Last week (12/11/2011) I went to take a swig of water and it happened again. Almost like my swallow didn't trigger at all. It hasn't happened since then, but it seems to occur when I'm not paying attention. I guess I'm wondering if I should follow up with my physician or leave it alone. I am kind of nervous at this point.

I should also add that I have had twitching, but because I have twitched intermittently all over for about 13 years now, that really doesn't help.
Could this be MND?

Thanks in advance for any help and Happy Holidays.
-Reg

 

[HelenL]

I'm confused about one thing... did your PC send you to the speech pathologist or did you go on your own? The reason I ask is that if your thyroid is not functioning properly, it also can cause swallowing problems. Good luck in figuring it all out.

 

[Ms. Pie]

My advice is to pay attention when swallowing! Everybody does that from time to time.

 

[reg_1979]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for taking the time to answer.
My PC sent me back to my GI doctor to evaluate my swallowing. In March, I got a stomach ailment. The GI ran some tests and told me that my stomach is emptying slower, but it would probably go back to normal in a few months. Blood work came back normal.

When I went in to my PC for the swallowing back in Sept. they sent me back to my GI who sent me for the swallow study. He said because the onset was new that I should have it done.

I guess given the response I should go back to my PC and get a referral to a neuro?

 

[LizT]

OMG.... Really?
Hmm... lets see.... every time i eat water melon, the same happens to me with the juice.
pineapple too. does this mean i have ALS?
NOOOO!
It means I breathe too much when i swallow.

 

[HelenL]

Honestly, No... I don't think that a neuro is going to be able to tell you much at this time...

there are many other reasons for swallowing issues, and unless you are showing quick reflexes, muscle atrophy, and/or weakness which you didn't mention, I don't think there is any reason to be worried about ALS. I'd listen the speech pathologist and just pay attention to what you're drinking. Also, I've had problems swallowing for decades which is totally unrelated to any MND stuff, my throat would just sort of "freeze" and I'd have to say "relax" to myself. I still don't have any swallowing issues more than I ever had.

 

[trfogey]

I guess given the response I should go back to my PC and get a referral to a neuro?

You don't have anything neurologically wrong with you. No need for a neurologist. What you should ask for a referral to is a psychiatrist. You have some serious health anxiety if you can make a handful of lazy swallows into a three-specialist event. See a shrink, get off the medical sites on the Internet, and turn your imagination to more useful pursuits.

 

[caldona]

A speech therapist said to tip your head down, you might need to roll a towel up put under your chin depending on neck muscles.

 

[mysticunicorn66]

lots of things can cause issues swallowing --tonsils, scar tissue on tonsils, thyroid nodule--just to name a few. I have a friend who has an issue swallowing if he is stressed or upset enough because he tenses up. Relax when drinking/eating. If thin liquids are an issue, use a thickener in them (Thick-It or similar).

 

[Felica]

Can I just say don't drink bingo problem solved.

 

[patricia1]

I choke on water almost my whole life so l don't drink water .Ginger ale tea coffee no problem .And the more you stress over it .the more you will choke .
You need alot more to even think ALS

 

[reg_1979]

Thank you all for your responses.
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

I guess I got nervous because it had never really happened to me that much before that I can remember and I was in a pretty relaxed frame of mind when it all came on.
My voice had been cracking occasionally and my stomach was damaged from a virus so I didn't really know what was going on.
I'm still pretty scared, but I will take your advice, avoid the neuro and go get some counseling.

Thanks again for your answers and patience.