Swallowing problems

I just wanted to know if anyone has any difficulties with swallowing and what difficulties you have. I have trouble swallowing but no one can decide if it is MS causing the problem or anxiety. I choked for the first time in october and it scared me so much i wouldn't eat solid food for weeks afterwards. I haven't choked since but i very often feel like i can get the food to the back of my mouth but then it's like my tongue forgets what to do next and the food stops in my throat and i begin to gag. It only lasts for a few soconds and then i finally swallow, but i often cough after eating something bitty and i find my throat will hurt on and off throughout the day. I do suffer with anxiety and have since i choked in october.

Hi, I have major swallowing problems for years. It happens often with solid foods. It's like my throat forgets how to swallow and food gets stuck all the time. I have to take huge deep breaths to push it down. It takes what seems like forever than I get the hiccups. Drives me crazy! It's not that the food comes back up when I try to swallow, but won't go down. I even have this a lot when drinking liquids. I have to hold it in my mouth and say to myself, "ok, how am I supposed to swallow again" It's weird, you would think there would be no problem with that only food. But, not with me. I don't understand it.

Swallowing issues were my primary presenting symptom many years ago.  Only I can choke on saliva alone without having food added!  I find small bites, trying not to have dry foods are helpful to me.

My vocal cords and facial muscles are also involved so it's not uncommon for me to be "voiceless" at any given time.

My wife had observed that I would cough every time I would take my first bite of food at dinner time...

 

So....I went and had a swallow test...

 

And....they suggested I take something like applesauce before I begin eating...to tell my throat that food will be coming...

 

Never eaten more applesauce, but not coughing anymore.....

 

John

Hi all

I was taught something called plucking the hyoid by a speech consultant. Apparently opera singers and speakers use it to strengthen their voices. It works like this - You put your middle finger & thumb together and use them to flick your throat in a circle round the larynx/voicebox (the bump in the middle of your throat). It feels a bit awkward but I do find it helpful to get rid of that "froggyness" & problems with projecting. I will try anything

I have problems swallowing at times.I'll start choking and I have to get something to drink quickly, I feel like there's something stuck in my throat and I need to wash it down. It happens when I'm just swallowing saliva, not when I'm eating...

Swallowing problems is definitely an MS symptom.  It is quite common.  I too can choke easily.  I often choke on liquids.  It is sorta like I don't shut down that valve tightly enough while drinking.  When a bit of liquid gets through then wow.