@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member Hi Pam. I tried writing/answering a question similar to this a few weeks ago, but I didn't get much feedback and was disappointed as I am a speech pathologist and worked for years doing swallow studies with Pd, stroke, gunshot wounds, MS, and many neurodegenerative disorders, not to mention my own severe swallowing disorder. I tried writing everyone, because I was so worried about everyone and almost 90% of all PD pts. will have dyshpagia or swallowing disorder. In fact, it's usually one of the 1st signs, but many people including physicians ignore it.
The best thing to do, is to go to your GP and tell him/her you need a referral for speech therapy/swallow study. The reason you want to take this seriously and do it is because you can not only choke, but certain consistencies can go 'down the wrong way' and cause aspiration pneumonia. A good speech path can find the best consistencies for you or show you a position or technique to use so you can avoid aspirating. Doctors will recommend G-tubes or alternative means of nutrition if you aspirate often and get pneumonia, because you can die from it. I used to be an patient advocate and do my best to keep people on a regular diet with swallowing therapy and/or techniques. Some docs just used to rx a g-tube, which is miserable...at least that was my personal experience several times and for a year at the most. I know it is a pain to go to the doc and another test!!! This one is really quite worth it. The radiologist and speech path will have you eat/drink foods while it is x-rayed. They will both consult and decide if they saw aspiration. Speech may see aspiration, but try techniques during the x-ray to see if it's successful, thereby keeping you from having to be put on 'thickened liquids", which are usually safer. It is just so worthwhile to go and get a videoswallow with a speech path and radiologist. It's for your own benefit. Otherwise, docs are just guessing about your swallow. It is a very complicated process involving multiple nerves and muscles. If you have any questions, I would love to take the time and answer them or help anyone. Best wishes to you, Tedi

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A MyParki...

I found quite by accident that ice water with my meal helps. My problem is that my throat spasms and closes up and I have found that ice cold water releases the spasm.

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member. Great answer for @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member. I can add a little bit more and tell her if and when she finds that food feels "stuck" that if she will take a small sip of water, bring her chin to her chest..and swallow. Instead of coughing and choking to swallow the food,.this will help the food to be unblocked and to safely go on down her gullit. :-) Have a good day girls. Sterling

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A MyParki...

Chewing gum helps me for some reason. And I keep lozenges with me. Both help me swallow.

I had to go to the ER because I choked on a piece of meat and ended up having to have it removed via endoscopy. For that reason, I am very aware of choking problems. I tried avoiding foods that tend to be chokers but let's face it--- we like some of those foods. For nuts, be careful NOT to put too much in your mouth at one time. What might have been a small nite before P, might now be a large bite. When I eat nuts, I always have a beverage beside me so that although it's not considered to be good manners, I can wash my food down. Amazing how PD rules our manners sometimes, isn't it? I try to eat everything in small bites if I an. Toast can be dipped into an egg yolk, eaten with gravy ( Try "Eggs Goldenrod". My children always called that "Favorite Eggs". A lot of people start talking, laughing, etc and really don't pay attention to how fast they are eating or the size of bites. I watch. I'll put in a bit more later but I have to turn off for now.