Choking and forward planning

[matthew55]

I hope you are feeling better today. I haven't been able to have a blow of my nose for months btw. 😉😊

[denise]

Hi Matthew
oh I'm a bit down and depressed. I could do with a room where I can go and scream 😕

[denise]

Why do we slap people on the back if they cough and splutter? I've even patted the cat on the back thinking I was helping . I shall just calm him down after this. Not sure about the cat!
I've been telling him off for sniffing. I said I didn't think that would help that blowing his nose would help clear it whereas sniffing will just put it on his chest. I gather that is where it goes.
Thanks for the advice
😘

[matthew55]

I'm fine, stoned happy and off to bed soon. Hope all well with you. 😊x

[Ellie]

denise If it happens soon after Stephen lies down in bed, it could very well be a 'choking' incident caused by saliva going down the wrong way - and it's not always easy to feel that saliva has gone down the windpipe.

Generally, he should be sat up and left to cough it out, so to speak, and definitely no slaps on the back. The more he, and anyone else in the room relaxes, the easier it is to concentrate on his breathing and return to normal. So, the best thing you can do is not to panic...

I also do that huge breath (mine isn't wheezy) as part of a cough, often a sneeze too 🙄 You just get used to it.

[GaryM]

denise, have a look at this thread about choking.

https://forum.mndassociation.org/forum/motor-neurone-disease-general-discussion/life-with-mnd/30547-choking-on-water

[denise]

Thanks Matthew. I didn't think I was helping him much by hitting him.
how are You?
Denise xxx

[matthew55]

When I cough sometimes I cannot draw a breath. The only thing to do is cough on. Sorry I can't suggest a solution other than that.

[denise]

Hi everyone
Stephen has just had a coughing episode. It's not the first they seem to be getting more frequent. One night he was in bed with his breathing mask on and he started. He frightened the life out of our son. It starts with a little cough and then he seems to take in a huge wheezy breath. He thumps his chest and seems to be trying to take more air in. I never know what to do. He hasn't eaten or had a drink so I don't think it's a choking episode. I just don't know how to react. Do I hit his back or let it take it's course. It doesn't last long but it's quite scary. Any advice would be helpful.
Denise xxx

[Ellie]

Are you happy with the Neuro's stance Lynne? You might see her as a Gatekeeper, but she doesn't sit in an Ivory Tower.

I’ve had lots of near misses.

You know how your swallow is and one of those "near misses" may end up causing you difficulty. Would you ask for a swallow assessment - then a SLT professional can give you an expert opinion.

I hope you're not stressed by her approach to feeding tubes.

Love Ellie.

[Lynne K]

Hi all. I ought to have posted this after my last clinic appointment 2nd September I think that it was. My Salford Neurologist said that I’m not at the stage for a feeding tube yet. I put it to her that I’d read about other MND peoples experiences about the timing of getting a feeding tube is sooner rather than later because of the better recovery. But she said that they do it at the time of it being necessary and can do it even when breathing is compromised. She’s the gate keeper so I’m in her hands. I haven’t had any choking as bad as what I described earlier since that time. But I’ve had lots of near misses.

I took all of the advice suggested. Thanks again folks, love Lynne x

[jd58]

I chocked on Tea and water but only when im tired or somethings makes me laugh. So everyone knows now in my house so they respect me when im drinking.

[Lynne K]

For David and Dee:

Thanks David, I’m grateful for all comments and suggestions.

Dee, we already have the kind of cups/mugs that you were referring to. These are from when we regularly hill walked and did camping. I used to take the tops off because they kept the tea boiling hot and would burn my mouth. I wasn’t having much milk then and have non now, so there’s nothing in the tea to cool it down. But I could cool it down first with the top off, then put the top on to keep it just right. I’ll speak with my husband about this. Many thanks, Lynne x

[DeeH]

Hi Lynne,

Husband has only been diagnosed 4 weeks, affecting his hands and balance. OT suggested a travel mug, got a tall silver one at Home Bargains for 1.50. It keeps the tea hot and because the hole is small in the lid (which screws on, so I need to do it), controls the rate of liquid. It may help, he is a fan now so I bought another for cold drinks. Mugs and cups are a little short and he has to dip his head to drink out of them.

Donna

[David R]

Hi Lynne,

Yes choking is scary and thats where my MND all started, I hated the thicker but in the end had to give in to it because I love a cup of tea but it still takes me about 15 minutes to drink one cup in very small sips. I find concentrating very hard on drinking the best way to handle it, don’t be looking at a laptop or TV or trying to communicate with someone at the same time. I almost shut down in my own space to manage a drink. I would say definitely have a Tube fitted so you're ready, I can’t eat at all now and only 1 year ago was still eating quite normally, as they say every one progresses differently. I had my RIG fitted just before lockdown, so glad I did as it would have been very difficult to get it during that period, we could easily have another escalation of Covid so I’d book it in asap

Regards David R