Swallowing - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

crystal22 · 07-27-2005, 06:42 PM

I know a lot of us MSers have swallowing problems, me I have always had a hard time with large pills or non coated ones. I took a pill last night and it got stuck halfway down, its still there almost a day later. Its driving me crazy. I've drank probably 2 gallons of water and ate anything I thought my help it move down, nothing doing. I was able to take all my other pills this morning, but this one won't budge. Anybody got any tips to help me get this damn thing down?

Jewel2 · 07-27-2005, 06:55 PM

Hi,
Do you have any problem get liquids and food around it? If not, there's a good chance it is gone, but your esophagus is irritated where it got stuck and it still feels like it's there. This should heal up pretty soon and won't be so annoying.

HOWEVER, if you really think it's still stuck, you'll need to see a doc ASAP. The average person has about 17 hours until something stuck in the esophagus eats through the esophagial wall.

I've learned this info because unfortunately we have too many swallowing problems in my family!

Hope you're better soon!
Julie

outlaw56 · 07-27-2005, 09:08 PM

Try a mouthful of liquid and force your chin yo your chest and try swallowing then, that may help hope this works.

beachlover247 · 07-28-2005, 07:07 PM

I am definietly not a doc, but have to concur with Jewel that it's probably just the sensation that makes you think the pilll is still there. If it doesn't go away SOON then I would sure see a gastro specialist or Neur. I just had a swallow study done today, cause so much numbness, couldn't tell if food and liquids were going down the right tube. I'm a speech pathologist and very well know what can happen if it's not. Everything turned out fine for today, but as everyone know, things can change from one hour to the next.. As far as the chin tuck goes,....don't tuck but at a 45 degree angle. otherwise it's really hard to get the bolus (food or liquid) down. Tucking your head down, just slightly, just gives you more control over what's in your mouth so that you can consentrate on swalllowing and not have it go down before you're ready. I hope

this makes sense and it's just my armchair professional opinion. Please see a specialist if this continues any longer. Best of luck to you..P.S. I start my first Solumedrol iv tomorrow and immediatley after get my first Avonex shot instruction!!!!weeeeeeeee wish me luck.

crystal22 · 07-28-2005, 08:29 PM

Alright everyone, when I woke up this morning that damn pill was finally gone. My throat still feels sort of swollen and sore, but I know the pill went down. Thank you all for your advice and concern, guess I'll have to be more careful with my pills from now on. Ah, what a relief.