Swallowing Difficulties

[Guest guest]

I took my mother to her Rheumatologist yesterday. One complaint that

was brought up is that my mother is having difficulty swallowing (food

goes down fine but sometimes she can't make her mouth swallow; having

liquid in her mouth helps to wash things down). She has CMT 1A.

I mentioned that I thought that CMT could be a cause for swallowing

issues but the doctor said she didn't think that CMT affected swallowing.

I thought that swallowing issues was a fairly common complaint for CMT

sufferers?

[Guest guest]

My mother has seen this Rheumatologist for years. She also sees a Neurologist.

This Rheumatologist has treated my mother in the past for inflammatory arthritis

but I've always suspected that she didn't

have inflammatory arthritis and that the symptoms of CMT were close to those of

RA and she was misdiagnosed. My mother is 81 years old and doesn't always give

each doctor a full picture. I went with Mother this time and the

Rheumatologist asked *me* what I thought and I told her that I never thought my

mom had RA, to which I believe that the doctor agrees with me on this now. FYI

-- my mother never tested positive for RA via blood work.

This Rheumatologist accurately diagnosed my mother with CMT several years ago,

though. Mother didn't originally tell this doctor that she had CMT but the

doctor did eventually diagnose it.

Anyway, you are right, Gretchen. I will make sure that my mother

discusses her swallowing problems with her Neurologist next week.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gail,

Has your sister had swallowing studies done? I would assume that

since she's had problems with this all of her life that her Dr.s have

done some sort of testing. If not, she needs to have testing done as

she could possible aspirate fluids/foods into her lungs. Perhaps a

speech therapist eval. might be a good idea. They can give her tips

to help her with the problems she is having. Just some thoughts.

Holly

[Guest guest]

Dear Holly and Gretchen,

Thank you both for your assistance. I sent a copy of the articles to my sister.

I advised her to take it to her doctor on her next visit.

Love,

Gail