Oh my, it happened again.

maugi200

So tonight I made some ground turkey patties with gravies. I did not check, I usually do, he did not drink anything before eating so it happened again. It got stock down his esophagus so I had to get him to the kitchen sink. I’ll spare you the details. It took like 10 minutes to get water to go through. That condition did start like several years back . I know I should make sure he drinks before, have grounded food, etc.
Is it common?
I know I have to be more alert as to how he drink and eats.
Boy what a challenge this is.
Thanks,

MG

BikingOldMan

maugi200 - "… I know I have to be more alert as to how he drink and eats…" - True, but what I have noticed for myself is that the exhaustion of caring for my DW sometimes gets to be too much and "knowing" just isn't enough. Part of taking care of ourselves as caretakers I believe is cutting some slack for ourselves. Sorry that I don't have any answers for your base question about the condition being common. Wishing you the best.

maugi200

thanks for these sound advice.

Stan2

Don't be too hard on yourself, it is not possible to remember everything there is to remember all the time.

All we can do is "to do the best we can with what we have to work with". If we spend time beating ourselves up we won't be any good to our loved ones or ourselves. Sending hugs.

Chris20cm

DW had occasions of dysphagia and Pantoprazole was the Rx that kept these episodes very rare. She is now off that medication completely after several years.

You might want to ask your doctor about that.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261894#Comment_261894

persevere

I’m a little lost on this conversation but I assume we’re talking about choking on food? I’ve noticed my wife having more episodes lately and it really scares me. What are the methods? I’ve never actually done the hiemlick but I guess I’d try if it were severe. I’ve thought about ordering one of those suction things you see advertised.

maugi200

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261901#Comment_261901

thanks for the info. will look into if it get worst. Currently it’s just a matter of me not forgetting to give him one thing at a time.
Never thought patties would provoke this. Medication and name condition is noted.

maugi200

Not chocking, the food get block in the esophagus. So nothing goes in anymore, only out. Eventually with water it goes through.

SDianeL

have him evaluated by a Speech Therapist. They can do a swallow test and recommend diet and liquid changes. The area of the brain that controls swallowing is affected by the dementia. If that’s the cause it will get worse. Even water doesn’t go down the esophagus it goes into the lungs. They recommend mechanical soft diet first and then progress to puréed food and thickened liquids. My step dad had a stroke and the Speech Therapist explained it to me. About 50% of dementia patients die from aspiration pneumonia caused by problems swallowing.

jgreen

Hi @maugi200

Try pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese (maybe ice cream). Small spoonfuls, and 4-6 small feedings per day. These foods have some protein and may be sweet enough that your LO will like them.

I agree with @SDianeL about the speech therapist

jgreen

I forgot to mention - YOU still need to eat and take care of yourself. If you still want to cook, freeze leftovers and re-heat another day when you don’t feel like cooking.

I read in another post ‘You need to put on your oxygen mask first!

maugi200

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261934#Comment_261934

I cook all the time. It’s just very difficult to eat when someone is throwing up in the sink :-/
All the soft food is on the menu, but if he doesn’t drink before it can get stuck.

Thanks for the advice!

LisaK61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/261938#Comment_261938

This happens with my DH. He eats something and it won't go up or down. He says it's stuck. Its not a choking situation. We have done the sink thing too. Even water won't go down. Then comes up through nose sometimes. It started a couple years ago before he had diagnosis. We went to ER once and they did an endoscopy and found nothing. Now I've made the connection. I cannot feed him any dry meat without concern and monitoring closely. Even with lots of gravy or sauce. All it takes is on tiny piece, just eaten out of sequence with drinking liquid. Even if it is finely chopped, but I too sometimes forget. It is very scary when it is happening. You are not alone. It is hard to monitor without hovering. I too have noted the medication name. Thanks for sharing.