Longtime Twitcher: Choking Issue

[regm]

I am a long time twitcher (10 + years) and have posted here many times in the past. In September, I had about a 2 week stretch where I was choking on thin liquids about once per day. I talked to a speech pathologist and had an exam and a swallow study done. There was a slight abnormality on one of the swallows (laryngeal penetration). I explained to her my fears and she said that it was only on one swallow out of 7 and that the same thing could occur in anyone else. She said that the exam showed nothing abnormal and if every liquid swallow had appeared abnormal, there would be cause for concern. I let it be and it seemed to go away for a bit. This weekend (3 months later) I went to take another swig of water and it caused me to choke again. I am very concerned (prepared for the worst actually) and I wonder if anyone else has had similar experiences with this. I realize that this doesn't look good and I'm not sure where to go next.Any help or advice would be great.Thanks

 

[puggleful]

On and off for over 2 years, I have had spurts where I feel I can't swallow correctly and times when I choke. This happens to everyone. Also, it is a symptom of GERD or a hiatal hernia. I wouldn't freak out about it even though I know hard it is not to.

 

[regm]

Thanks for the reply, puggles.I do have GERD, but the coughing and choking really freaked me out.Almost like it "went down the wrong pipe".Is that similar to the episodes you are describing? Sorry if I seem like I'm needling. I felt like I was past this fear, but now it is back with a vengeance.

 

[puggleful]

I have felt every symptom in my mouth/throat/tongue area and yes, I feel kind of like it's trying to get down the wrong pipe and I have to consciously think about making it go down the right one. Hard to explain but it STINKS! I know the fear you're going through and it's pure evil. It's hard to even function.

 

[MarksmanS]

I hAve this happen occasionally too. That said i believe this is entirely normal...the expression it went down the wrong pipe is something weve all said and clearly isnt a precursor to als. Moreover, you are thinking about swallowing during this test which is more likely to create an issue. You are fine!