I would like to throw out a question to others who are post Tx to see if any seem to experience what I seem to. It seems that since completing Tx now almost 10 months ago I get choked easier. I notice this most often when I take like a small sip of a liquid and it seems that I "swallow wrong" as some folks say. When this happens it takes a few minutes of sporadic coughing to clear up the pipes.

I am curious if possibly radiation after effects could cause this by some type of tissue alteration in the throat area? I just don't ever seem to recall getting choked in the past as easily as I seem to now.

Bill D.

Bill D,

I don't know about the tissue alteration, but I do choke (what we used to call going down the wrong pipe)much more now. It takes longer to clear whatever I was eating or drinking from my throat too. It seems to be worse in the morning, I was thinking it might be caused by my diminished saliva and things not gliding as they used to.

Tim

Bill,
I'm four years out now and the choking is part of my daily life for sure. I choke very, very easily and can cough for minutes at a time. It used to scare my kids at first, now they don't even notice
I've gotten so that I know when I'm going to choke and can keep it under control. Just another thing for us to adapt to I guess.
Minnie

I hate that others experience this also but wanted to make sure it wasn't just me doing it. It must be a somewhat common result from treatment.

Bill D.

I think it has to do with the "trap door" that blocks the airway not closing properly anymore. I usually have to clear my throat with an "ahem" after every drink I take. That's about it. Food I can't swallow at all.

Hi Bill;
I have the same thing. I was constantly choking and coughing when I first started "learning" how to eat and drink again. Now, six months out and it has gotten much better. A speech therapist helped me a lot with the problem as far as situating food and swallowing with restricted muscle control and a "smaller" throat. I also done the "clearing" thing all the time. She asked me to focus on eliminating that, or to concentrate on a full cough (like the Ahem xynobix references) when doing it, as opposed to just a small throat clear. I was informed that all of this has a "reflux" type effect and would further the irratation I was already experiencing. Once I was made aware of it I found it easier to control. Improvement has continued, and as my saliva has improved so has the lack of need to clear my throat so often. I still choke easily though, (especially when I forget and get a little to aggressive while eating) something that we all will probably continue to endure after treatment we were subjected to.

Steve

Hi, Bill.

You can add my name to the list of people that experience the same thing you do.

Over the last year and 1/2 I have noticed that it happens more when I am distracted, excited, etc. I notice that if I take my time, and concentrate more on the activity (eating, drinking, etc) the reaction is much much less often.

It seemed to happen when someone asked me a question JUST as I was taking a sip/bite and I think, like a golfer in mid-swing, it was distracting. So now, I try to really pay attention and it seems MUCH better...

Problably not a bad idea to pay attention while eating & drinking anyway

Hi Michael, so good to see your post! Same thing with me, I need to concentrate when eating and drinking...sometimes I get to talking or try to eat fast like I used to and it is not good.....food can become lodged and won't go down or up.....scary.....it is getting better...Hope you are doing well.....Love, Carol