I don't know anything about this except I'd find another doctor. A neurologist
might be the person to talk with. I told mine I had some sensations in my feet,
hot and cold tingling, and she told me it was neuropathy. I'd really try to talk
to another doctor.

• Add your reply
• Flag as Inappropriate

Last edited about 1 month ago

I can't help but have a gut feeling that a second opinion is in order...I would
think some more test of some kind could be done to clarify your issue.. I have
neurapathy in my feet and legs in first stages i would be very appreciative if
you would keep my posted...is that the only area you have it

• Add your reply
• Flag as Inappropriate

Hi Misery,

Please accept my apologies for how long it's taken me to respond to your
question.

The condition is actually called autonomic neuropathy. It affects the bodily
systems that are normally dealt with automatically. It can affect such things
as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature control, swallowing (as you've
noticed), emptying of stomach contents, sexual function, bowel and bladder
control, and a whole multitude of other things.

Sadly, there is no cure for autonomic neuropathy. The only advice my
gastroenterologist and endocrinologist have been able to offer is to maintain as
near 'normal' blood sugar levels as possible .... and that means long-term, not
just for a week or two.

I'm so sorry to hear how this is affecting you. It's not pleasant at all.

I can understand where your gastroenterologist is coming from with his
suggestion of sugar free Carnation instant breakfast and skimmed milk. He's
obviously attempting to control your blood sugar levels without telling you what
he's doing. Sadly, that doesn't deal with getting the food down your oesophagus
[esophagus] in the first place.

The only thing I can advise there is, if it's really getting difficult to
swallow solid foods, is to liquify your foods. i.e. place it in a blender and
mash it up until it's really more like a liquid than a solid.

I know it sounds awful, but one thing that I used to do for people who suffered
in a similar way, was to massage the food down. It's rather difficult as the
oesophagus [esophagus] is behind the tube that you feel at the front of your
throat. That's the trachea ... the thing that you breathe through. If you do
apply pressure to this and sort of stroke it down, however, it does help with
swallowing.

Unfortunately, if you aren't able to manage feeding yourself in this way there
are only two ways, that I know of, that you can be helped. The first is a nasal
gastric tube, which goes up your nose, and down your throat into your stomach,
or a tube directly into the stomach ... neither of which, I would imagine, would
be very appealing to you.

Of course, your sustenance would have to come from liquid feeds using either of
these methods.

I do hate to be the bearer of such bad news, dear lady, but you asked the
question.

I truly hope that things never actually get to such a stage for you.

Be well.

Lots of Love and Light.

Mick
x x x x
x x x

P.S. Please don't be offended, or alarmed, at the "x's". It's simply a logo, of
sorts, that I've used for some 30-odd years now.

• Add your reply
• Flag as Inappropriate