Have any of you had any problems with swallowing? The past few days I haven’t been able to get my medications down. The pills are getting stuck in my throat and I can taste them for ages after I finally get them down. Ive been sticking to softer foods like pasta as they’re easier to swallow and there have been 2 times in the past few weeks where I have panicked a bit when I felt like I was choking. Is this likely to be yet another symptom of the ms do you think?
i had 6 weeks when i couldnt swallow tablets-went without them! i was choking on water even. speech therapist came to my home to assess me and give tips-was very useful. eating/swallowing is complicated but we take for granted until it doesnt work!
maybe ask for referral?
i hope it passes quickly for you-was only 2nd time in my ms life i have been scared.
Thanks Ellie, I will ask my GP about that! I won’t be able to go without my meds as I take thyroxine as well as my pain meds and antidepressants and without the thyroxine I am a mess I had my thyroid removed as part of my cancer treatment 7 years ago so I really need to take them.
Try those little yoghurt drinks like Actimel. The thicker liquid makes an amazing difference, I find. Perfect size for the morning’s handful of pills. Down all in one on a good day. And some of those tablets are big brutes. What also helps is calcium tablets with smooth coating. I cannot manage them without, even with yoghurt. Alison
I havent tried actimel before Alison, I will give that a try I have a handful of 9 pills to get down in the morning and another 8 throughout the day and I used to be able to take them all in one go but im having to take one at a time and it takes ages! Thanks
Hi Sharon, I have trouble swallowing pills and food. At first like you I panicked , the second time it happened instead of panicking, I took a deep breathe and waited and swallowed again and down it went. I also cut my pills in half with a pill cutter and find that helps. Hope this helps you, remember don’t panic. Oh nearly forgot when taking a pill keep your head down and don’t throw your head back to try and get it down or it may go down the wrong way. Good luck. Janet x
It might be worth asking for a referral to a Speech Therapist. They will be able to assess your swallowing and can suggest the right consistency of food. They can show you how to do a ‘safe swallow’ which reduces the risk of choking. Good luck, Sara x
Hi Janet, thanks I will try that! I have panicked every time and im not usually a panicker but its a weird feeling isnt it? I hope you arent having too many problems
Thanks Sara, that sounds great I will ask my GP about a speech therapist when I see her on friday! I didnt realise they could help with things like this, my youngest daughter had speech therapy when she was 4 and it was great for her! Thanks for your help Sharon x
I had my thyroid removed as part of my cancer treatment 7 years ago so I really need to take them.