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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Deb R on June 16, 2000, at 9:05:16
My Mum often has gagging/choking episodes when eating - one happened tonight at a Restaurant where we had taken Mum for dinner for her birthday. Anyway, Mum said when we got home that she was embarrassed and she didn't think she wanted to go out for meals any more.
I wonder if any others suffer from a similar thing when eating and if you have any tips.
I figure that when Mum eats, there is not enough saliva production happening, causing the food being swallowed to be too dry to slide easily down her throat? I believe 'dry mouth' is a documented side-effect of AD's? Maybe taking sips of water after each mouthful of food would work - anyway that was all I could think of, besides the texture of the food perhaps.
Mum has been on high dose anti-depressants for many years, currently on low dose Olanzapine (Zyprexa.) She has other side effects such as TD, but this one worries me as if she can't enjoy a yummy meal any more, well, thats pretty crappy to say the least.If anyone has any ideas or similar experiences please let me know...thanks babble buddies!!
Best wishes,
Deb.
Posted by Cindy W on June 16, 2000, at 10:41:18
In reply to Dry mouth..any tips that may help?, posted by Deb R on June 16, 2000, at 9:05:16
> My Mum often has gagging/choking episodes when eating - one happened tonight at a Restaurant where we had taken Mum for dinner for her birthday. Anyway, Mum said when we got home that she was embarrassed and she didn't think she wanted to go out for meals any more.
> I wonder if any others suffer from a similar thing when eating and if you have any tips.
> I figure that when Mum eats, there is not enough saliva production happening, causing the food being swallowed to be too dry to slide easily down her throat? I believe 'dry mouth' is a documented side-effect of AD's? Maybe taking sips of water after each mouthful of food would work - anyway that was all I could think of, besides the texture of the food perhaps.
> Mum has been on high dose anti-depressants for many years, currently on low dose Olanzapine (Zyprexa.) She has other side effects such as TD, but this one worries me as if she can't enjoy a yummy meal any more, well, thats pretty crappy to say the least.
>
> If anyone has any ideas or similar experiences please let me know...thanks babble buddies!!
>
> Best wishes,
> Deb.Deb, I get a dry mouth sometimes from AD's (fortunately, not as often now on Effexor-XR...it was terrible, on Prozac and Luvox). I keep cough drops (the kind with sugar, no real other ingredients) in my pocket and suck on these. Hard candy would probably serve the same purpose. This works during non-meal times. Before eating out, I drink LOTS of water, then keep drinking lots during the meal. People look at me like I'm a camel, but it helps if I'm really feeling "dry." However, make sure "dry mouth" is really your mum's problem...my father has an esophageal stricture, and for years, would sit at the table and gag, then run out and throw up. It turns out his throat was narrowed from scar tissue, and he couldn't swallow! Now he goes in every few years to have his throat "stretched" (with anesthesia, of course) and no longer coughs and gags when eating. So make sure something else isn't going on with you Mum besides the dry mouth, if she's having trouble eating. Best wishes!
Posted by me-but-not-me on June 16, 2000, at 11:32:57
In reply to Re: Dry mouth..any tips that may help?, posted by Cindy W on June 16, 2000, at 10:41:18
Deb,
I agree with Cindy that you should make sure it is not something more serious first. I have dry mouth from all the ADs I am on, and while I need water with my meals, I don't choke or anything like that.
As for dry mouth from ADs, there is a product called Salix (and there are probably other brands as well) that helps promote saliva production. I use them frequently- they are little pills that melt on your tongue, they have a sort-of citrus flavor. I also usually have a glass of ice chips by my side. That helps too. I steer away from the sugary cough drops because they are so bad for my teeth, and I don't like the taste of the sugar-free ones!
Hope this helps : )
Shelley
Posted by Deb R on June 17, 2000, at 2:47:15
In reply to Re: Dry mouth..any tips that may help?, posted by me-but-not-me on June 16, 2000, at 11:32:57
Cindy W. & Shelley,
You know, I think I am too quick to blame the medications Mum is on for every little (and big) thing that happens to her. You guys are so right in that this needs to be investigated further and that is what I will try and talk Mum into doing..thanks for the time in replying, think I am back on a more logical track now!!
Best wishes,
Deb.
This is the end of the thread.
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