Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I have had coughing/choking on saliva and liquids as a symptom of Lyme.
Sometimes getting food to the back of my throat and unable to elicit a swallow reflex.
That being said, I am a Speech Pathologist and have worked with 100's of patients with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).
For me, it was neurologically related to Lyme.
Coughing/choking on liquids/food/saliva is a sign of aspiration.
That is when these things get to and below the level of the vocal cords.
Your body's response is to clear it out-thus the coughing/choking.
Aspiration can lead to pneumonia. Milk grows lovely bacteria in your lungs.
Saliva won't.
You need to get a Modified Barium Swallow Study done to see exactly what the problem is.
Whether it is a delayed swallow reflex, poor muscle control,
Pooling in the sinus cavities in the throat, etc.
May also want to get an esophogram done as having food come out through the nose
Sounds like some type of stricture may be present.
So, in the meantime things you can do.
If it is a particular consistency (like thin liquids)
Try a shake. Something thicker. No straw. That just throws stuff over the base
Of your tongue. If swallow reflex is slow, weak or delayed, you aspirate.
Try smaller bites/smaller sips.
Try sugar free lemon ice between each bite and sip.
Try tucking your chin to your chest to see if you can get a better swallow.
You need to be careful with aspiration.
Good news is mine has for the most part gone away.
Everybody swallows the "wrong" way every once in a while.
Just not consistently.
I utilized all the swallowing techniques I know of and was able to compensate.
Antibiotic therapy has definitely improved this for me.
There are many cranial nerves involved in swallowin.
Vagus controls the vocal folds. If they aren't closed completely, then aspiration.
There are other nerves controlling the muscles of mastication, the tongue, etc.
Knowing which area may be specifically affected will help you.
If I can be of any more help, please let me know.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
My wife and I both have that problem choking on our own spit or water etc Its deffinatley a lyme thing. Now that Iam off abxs it still occurs but much less. Its a nerve damage thing I think. I know since the b12 injections I started every 4 days it is deffinatly not as sever when it happens.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Yes, i've had swallowing problems and gagging. Part of it was resolved with treatment for reflux, which was causing a "lump" in my throat.
Posts: 168 | From Delaware | Registered: Aug 2005
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
Try mucinex (guaifenisin) (sp?)
maybe more than the recommended dose with a large amount of liquids. Works for me.
Charlie
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i am 7 weeks after bilateral knee replacement. probably dealing with c-dif for the last week. at the same time i started gagging horribly when brushing teeth. don't know if it is related.
i have been fighting lyme since early 80's. never had these symptoms before.
also severe exhaustion. reminds me of when my lyme was really active.
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
You didn't say if you were on antibiotics. I had this before diagnosis. I think it's a neuro symptom of Lyme. It went away for me after antibiotic therapy. Fortunately, it wasn't a persistent symptom for me.
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Hmmmmmm. Yesterday I was in that extreme face pain mode, inflammation in neck, back of head, hardening of lymph nodes, severe.....severe pain, excruciating shooting pain through the ear, pain through the teeth, into the eye, and down the neck. Somehow I think it's all related.
Not on antibiotics right now. The swallowing epidodes are really sporadic, but the do happen and I just think it's weird. And disconcerting.
Having a relatively good day today, so that's good.
I may get my esophogus checked out, there was one test that indicated it was lateral to the trachea on the left side, but at the time, really.....what are you gonna do about something like that?
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