CPAPtalk.com

Janknitz wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 24, 2023 1:16 pm

It's much more likely that lymphoma, the chemo, and untreated reflux caused this problem than cpap.

OK, but looking at the anatomy drawings, I was concerned that air blowing into my nose, might be pushing the epiglottis open. I do get air coming out my mouth, at times. A few months ago, I switched to an APAP, so less of that. But this swallowing/choking problem has been going on. Last night, about half an hour after I took it, I choked & coughed up a 250mg magnesium gel.

But it sounds like you are grieving having to deal with this new development. Understandable. you've been through a lot.

Thanks, but years of MA training and a black belt help.

I saw a speech therapist who wanted to teach me all that, and how to swallow, but she's far from here & I'm swamped with work. Also didn't want a weird diet.

Really, a speech therapist could teach you what you need to know in one visit. It's not that hard.

Agreed, and she gave me a sheet with tons of stuff. ( I'm just not into some of it, like liquid thickeners. Yuk! ) They tasked her with teaching me how to swallow, which I've been doing all my life.

It has to do with positioning yourself and tucking your chin while swallowing to protect the airway.

Not sure about the positioning, but pills & supplements are the worst, BC the head has to go back, to swallow them. Especially those 250mg MG gels and the big multivitamin tablets. I apparently turned purple from choking, a times.

And not a weird diet. The most common issue with dysphagia is with thin liquids--they slide down fast and bypass your epiglottis.

They did a swallow test & said food & liquids were going in my lungs ( of course that's staged to be worst case? ), & the only reason I hadn't gotten pneumonia was BC of a strong cough mechanism due to a lot of stair climbing I do, & strong lungs. ( 12 years of MA probably didn't hurt either )

Thin liquids can be thickened (and yes, thickened coffee IS gross, but a coffee smoothie is nice).

I like iced coffee.

There are choices as to what you use to thicken liquids because some of the common thickeners have an unpleasant texture. Also (in some cases, and this is where the ST can be very helpful in assessing) very cold liquids and carbonated liquids are less likely to be aspirated because you can feel them going down, and that gives your brain time to stimulate the the airway protection.

OK.

Aspiration pneumonia is no fun, and it can be silent so you don't always know it's happening. Repeated bouts take a huge toll on your health. So it's really worth it to take a day to see the therapist, and learn how to protect your airway.

I've heard a little rubbing at times, but it goes away with coughing. Protecting the airway is an admirable goal, but how?

Thanks for your help & suggestions by the way.

Sorry for not geting back here for so long. Not setup to get notices of replies.

I've since seen an ENT, had lymphoma in my neck & back of tongue in 2021-2022, did chemo & it's gone. Also diagnosed with Dysphagia ( swallowing into my lungs ). Been on CPAP ( lately APAP ) for a lot of years. Never studied anatomy but was wondering if the CPAP can push the epiglottis open & cause the swallowing problem.

Oh, I also have to use albuterol 4X a day, to swallow at all. I just got up & took some albuterol, & a few minutes later, a fish oil gel & choked it up 5 times before giving up.

( Can I make the text larger here? )

Clearly, it can not directly treat such a condition.

However, if Sleep Apnea or UARS is present, you need to treat that. Also, if this is the case, treating these conditions could relieve swelling and inflamation in that area.

I doubt whether CPAP use could change the daytime position of the epiglottis -- but this is a question you should ask your ENT. If you haven't already, you should also ask the ENT about the cause of your dysphagia and the potential treatments that might help you.

MamaBear2016 wrote: ↑

Wed May 29, 2024 11:57 pm

Can I make the text larger here?

Why?

It wouldn't be popular with members trying to help you. We can zoom in if needed, and you can too.

Can I make the text larger here?

What device? If using Windows, hold CTRL while scrolling up.

stevenal wrote: ↑

Thu May 30, 2024 4:00 pm

What device? If using Windows, hold CTRL while scrolling up.

Doesn't work on my Windows laptop.

Holding CTRL and pressing the plus (+) key does. Press it until the text is as large as you want.

Holding control and pressing the minus key will make it smaller.

Or wear reading glasses.

How in holy heck does the most obvious solution escape notice!

MamaBear2016 wrote: ↑

Wed May 29, 2024 11:57 pm

( Can I make the text larger here? )

I don't think so.

"Never studied anatomy . . . "
I think I found a clue.