Hi
I had a brain-stem stroke last March which has left me unable to swallow. I’ve been doing the various exercises (EMST etc) but no joy. Has anyone any experience of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)?
Pat
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Hi Pat @pathazel & welcome. I’m sorry i can’t offer any advice on your issue but just wanted to say hi.
Hopefully someone else will be along with some advice.
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Thank you for your reply - so Hi back
Pat
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@pathazel Welcome, sadly I had to have a feeding tube put in 2nd week in the hospital. I was devastated about it and One night in the hospital bed I swallowed a huge amount of saliva. I was shocked and elated…then tried it again. I shouted to the nurses and they got me working on a team to help me better swallow. Apple sauce at first and then on to more challenging food. What a relief. They left the feeding tube in me though for three more weeks…hated it.
I hope and pray you can get your swallow back naturally. All the best to you.
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Hi Pat, I’m new to this forum. I had a stroke on my birthday, last July.
Since that time I’ve been unable to swallow and I’ve been on a PEG since last September. I went to see a doctor who specialises in ENT yesterday. He recommended cutting my throat until it sliced through a muscle to help me swallow. The downside is it might puncture my food pipe or at worst kill me due to the anaesthetic!
I’ve not heard of electrical stimulation, so I’m very interested like you. Please help.
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Further to my last post; 2 weeks ago, I saw an ENT Surgeon last week, who told me there was little point operating on me because the inability to swallow was caused by by my brain.
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Do they expect that your swallowing will return in time if it’s brain related & not your throat? I hope you’re getting input to help sort the problem.
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Hi, no I’m not receiving any treatment. The Speech and Language Therapist left in October 2023 saying there was no point continuing therapy. I’ve not given up yet, I’ve heard stories of people who started swallowing after 3 years!
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Absolutely never give up. There’s always a chance things will improve. Perhaps the therapist gave you some things you can continue to try yourself to help? Best of luck.
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Hi SimoninEdinburgh yes I do receive twice weekly physiotherapy. This involves getting me to stand and walk, reach out and twist as well as stepping up and balancing. The physiotherapy has been specifically designed to help me venture outside and get into a car. Unfortunately I have Charcot foot on my right side and my heart only operates at 35%, so I get tired very easily.
Hi. Sorry no, I was told by the speech and language specialist to stop the throat exercises as they weren’t doing anything last October (2023).
Hi I’ll start doing the throat exercises toute suite.
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