Nelie,

Just so you know, I am another one who experiences that particular event quite often. Like Minnie says, you have to try to relax your mouth and swallow again. I can get my thyroid pill down but everything else has to be cut in half and sometimes fourths. I have to take really small bites of food and try not to eat too fast or I will get blocked - that's my name for it - it's a scary feeling - but I've noticed I can breathe just fine during it.

Anybody else having really dry mouth issues right now? Mine is drier than usual and drier deeper down in the throat where no amount of liquid seems to reach it to relieve the dryness. My doctor told me last year that summer was not my friend - you would think the moist air (and where I live in Arkansas the humidity is oppressive)would help make the mouth more moist, but it's just the opposite - dry air is easier on the throat and mouth. My doc said I would love being out west.

Hey Nelie, thanks for the words of encourgement about returning to school. I just finished my first week and am loving it. There are only 11 students in my class and 80% of them are my age or older. I am very comfortable being there - everything is moving very fast though and it took me a couple of days to make sense of anything but have now got a handle on things (I think) Anyway, did the guacamole work for you at all? I just made some tonight - it's something that just works good for me. In addition, my doctor prescribed Xanax to help me be less anxious about eating - it takes me a few minutes to talk myself into being ready to eat cause my mouth will go dry and my throat will start closing up - I believe the Xanax does help-and I don't have to take it everyday - just about every 2 days or so. At least I have one food that goes down with no problem - ice cream - and I love ice cream! Just keep trying with all the different foods you can think of. Oh, I have also noticed that I can swallow better after engaging in physical activity like hiking, walking, kayaking etc.

Pam