friend has following symptoms; unable to swallow - even ...

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Charlie is only eating soups, stews[broth and soft vegtables], soft cheeses, able to swallow soft cookies. If he is really hungary he will cut chicken very small and is able to swallow. The phlem is constant and lots and lots, lots, it is clear, but extremely thick and . So thick that he chokes and it is constant in his throat and mouth. Always holding tissue to his mouth. Unable to sleep as it pools. He wakes with crusted face. Not coughing, gagging and constantly trying to clear. He is 87 years old. The problem has been going on since fall. He has lost 40 lbs. No nausea or idscomfort in the abdomen or any bleeding. As each day goes by it is harder and harder to understand him as his voice is "extremely" raspy and not clear at all.
He gets frustrated and angry that he can not be understood. Charlie is very active, farms, has a hugh garden, custs wood daily, fishes, hunts, and is active in community activity and the church. He is not a sickly man. It is tough to see him losing the weight and chocking and gagging, and not able to communicate well.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on February 1 2006 at 7:58am

I wonder if it might be worth him trying a mucolytic drug. there are a couple available on prescription. Another source of excess mucus is said to be dairy products so trying a week without milk, cheese or yoghurt might reduce mucus production. Finally there are some disorders of the endocrine gland secretions which can give rise to excessive mucus and impact on food absorption however we usually see those start much younger.
You don't mention if he has had any chest xrays, or uses any inhalers. Again some respirtaory problems produce excess mucus and drugs from the anti-muscarinic class can help there.
Hope some of this might be helpful.

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Relist:
Charlie has been to specialist and has found that he has a form of MS , this is why he is losing weight and why he is unable to swallow and cannot control phlegm. THX for your time,

Charlie has been to specialist and has found that he has a form of MS , this is why he is losing weight and why he is unable to swallow and cannot control phlegm. THX for your time,

Thanks for the update. I know the diagnosis is significant but perhaps now Charlie will be able to have some treatment that can improve his symptoms. At the very least they can look at alternative methods of nutrician such as sip feeds or TPN bags.
Best wishes

PS: I've logged this entry as info request so you don't need to pay again to read it!

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THX