| Severe Dysphagia
After a Thyroidectomy on February 13, 2020 I began to notice an inexplicable cough, especially when I was eating or drinking. The ENT sent me to a speech therapist who administered the Barium Swallow test. Her first words to me were, "I would like to admit you to this hospital and fit you for a feeding tube." After the shock, I declined the procedure. Instead I began treatment with another speech therapist who has set up a protocol which I am following: 1 no restrictions on diet. 2. throat exercises of increasing repetitions 3. coughing decreased to almost only 1-2 coughs during a main meal which continues today (February 3, 2021) 4. the second Barium Swallow test was exactly the same as the first, and there was not improvement. Currently the coughing has subsided and there are no swallowing issues. No other symptoms. Swallowing is easy except with peanut butter, ice cream, rice, green leafy salad makings, and sticky foods. The problem is that when I swallow with both eating and drinking a trace of everything aspirates into my lungs. No one seems to know how to treat my condition except for doing throat exercises every day. None of the doctors I have seen, at least 4 different specialists, have never seen or treated my condition. Hopefully some swallowing expert can tell me what to expect next. Some of the doctors were very concerned I might "develop pneumonia and die". One said, "If you have been living with this condition for almost a year, you probably can just continue exercising and live successfully with your current condition."
I would love to find someone who knows something about severe dysphagia and can guide me toward a healthy resolution. No surgery has been suggested. No cure seems to be understood. Hope someone can help me.
Thanks.
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