Hi Mep
My husband also had swallowing problems we went to a ent doctor and he put a coating on his vocal cords
Which made a big difference in his swallowing I use to have to crush his medicine but now he can take it with apple sauce no more crushing pills .
Swallowing better no more choking but he still has extremely excessive saliva
We have done Botox and every other thing but no help the excessive saliva really screws
Up his speech
Have a great week

Good morning, Mep,
I had to take therapy from a specially trained speech therapist to overcome my choking at every meal. With PD, everything slows down, including the muscles that move your food down the esophagus, and the quick response of your flap that covers your airway. (I forget what it's called). Hence the choking, the constipation, the shuffling of your feet, etc. See if your doctor can recommend a therapist. And keep moving!
Blessings, Karen

Kathy would do this from time to time, especially when eating restaurant food because of a transition phase, if you will, between solid food and home prepared meals in which I made sure the texture was easier to swallow. I saved her life 3 times with the Heimlich maneuver or back slapping before we realized what the real problem was.

My therapist had me keep a record of what I ate and drank and any choking. I found nuts in particular triggered it. She also suggested sucking sugar free sweets to help with the excessive saliva. It does help. She also suggested putting pills in a spoonful of yogurt to make it easier.

I contacted a doctor in Italy who had a great knowledge of working with pd and ms and he advised me. I also had a friend with MS who tried the thiamine but it never worked for him, although he never stuck to the exact dosage as I do. Unfortunately the Doctor who advised me has since passed but I can find his work online if you'd like to look at it.