Hi there...I haven't spoken much, but my husband, Goldy had not eaten for three years (feeding tube) and mucus galore. We were fortunate to find a specialist called an laryngologist at the U of Wash. hospital. They did testing and also said the epiglotis might not be working. They did a barium swallow,also and liquids would not go down. It wasn't until he had one of drs in Gastoenterology go inside to see what the problem was that the esophagus had been closed off by a membrane. And the Dr. opened it up. He went in a second time...the esophagus closed up again!! Then they proceeded with esophagus dialations every few month. He is now able to drink water, liquids, smoothies and eventually food in smaller pieces. He also went to San Diego for the Vitalstim therapy. The last time they dialated his esophagus they were able to go beyond a pediatric size. We never knew that there were specialist ... its worth it research. We had orginally been going to the VA here, but we doing know there were specialist in this type of situation. Also he doesn't have to swab his mouth all the time...because it goes down now. He still has dry mouth but can drink water now orally. He is MUCH better and is so much happier.