My dad is 74 years old. A couple of years ago he started complaining of feeling an obstruction in his throat when swallowing that was just annoying, nothing severe. Dr. said it was reflux and gave him meds. Over the past few months it came back and over time he has this other symptom that is strange. He is having trouble speaking. He will start speaking, then after a few seconds start sounding nasal then just pretty much not be able to make a sound sometimes. This only happens sometimes. Sometimes he sounds slurred in addition to nasal. When he was here in January, I noticed that he chewed his food so much and ate so slow. Well, I spoke to him about it and he said that he is having trouble chewing food enough to swallow it, a combination of both apparently. It's like he is losing control of his jaw. The doctor changed his reflux meds because he had a tube inserted and his esophagus is very irritated and swollen. He had an upper GI done, still awaiting results. He also had a cat scan of the brain in case it was neurological. His main doctor noticed a little bit of swelling in a few veins if that makes sense but said that nothing like that should be causing this and prescribed baby aspirin. He will see neurologist next week to get more details on the cat scan and an mri. I am extremely concerned. It takes him an hour and a half to eat half of a chicken breast and a small scoop of mashed potatoes. He has lost 4 lbs in the last month which isn't much since he is average size 34 but if he continues to lose weight then what =( any ideas or help??? 

I don't have any idea what those symptoms could mean, but if he's having trouble eating, maybe try smoothies and such like I did with N when I was trying to put weight on him before he got comfortable with solid foods. You can pack all kinds of calories and nutrients in there so even if he only takes in a little bit, it's more than he would have from trying to chew and swallow a few bites of a solid meal. 

If they come up with nothing then find another Dr. I'm a firm believer in getting a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. We are having this issue with my Dad right now. He's having health issues and they can't find out what is wrong. You're doing a great job just by caring and doing all you can.

Protein shakes, ensure, smoothies, soups, etc., will be a huge help for him until this is all worked out. 

Thanks ladies! I told these things to his wife. I told her to make him creams from real foods so he doesn't feel deprived of flavor. He loves his steak like crazy but it'll have to go. Just this month he's been ordered to give up salsa, acidic foods, sodas, alcohol, all things he loves to help the irritation in his esophagus heal. Doctor said it continues to swell he will require a feeding tube if he can't swallow. I do wonder what is causing the lack of control of his jaw. 

Does he have a problem with his tonsils. Often overlooked but I have the nasal thing alot and sometimes feel like my jaw can't pronounce words or chew correctly. I also have tmj so whenit bbecomes irritated it irritates the nerves connected to my tonsils and then I can't swallow and feel like my eardrums are rupturing again. Painful and there isn't much anything or anyone can do 

I'm soo sorry Sandra! I don't know but sometimes you lose muscles you don't use as much as before? 

Vols ... He's got no tonsils :(

Your mom.... U know me! And my heart! I hope it isn't age related because I can't deal with losing him. When I told u I didn't know how long he'd be around, this is why! 

Okay the Dr. said it's not reflux related =( He's having such a hard time dealing with this. He's resentful toward everyone for taking care of him by 'depriving him of his things'. He snuck a soda while his wife was taking a shower because he was craving it, and 'because you're not my mom and I don't care if you tell my kids'! 

If he can't have certain things then no one in that house should have them or eat/drink them in front of him. That's like telling someone addicted to meth, " Hey I'm just going to sit this right here, but don't use it bc it's bad for you".

That comes off way harsh but I think everyone should be on board and go through this with him to help make it a little less stressful. 

The only people in that house are him and his wife and she eats healthy so I'm assuming the soda was from before he was told not to have any. For sure she eats just like him! 

Well in that case, throw that crap away! Lol. At least she's on board. I'm sure it's tough for him changing after all these years. 

Sandra, my mother was misdiagnosed by several different people and it it was too late by the time they found out her cancer started in her saliva glands. Please do not let him stop getting second, third, fourth... as many opinions as possible till this is resolved.
Slurred speech and difficulty chewing/swallowing could be caused by a stroke. 

Masc, what were her symptoms? 

For the glands? Not really any other than cheek swelling. Half of her bottom lip lost some mobility but that could have been stroke. It ended up spreading to her bones, which was also misdiagnosed and shrugged off for months until it ate through her femur and her leg broke with no impact.
Stroke, we were told she had several small (more than 12) that went without noticeable symptoms. The major one(s) caused, slurred speech, numbness in arm. She had a major one later that night that left her right leg weak, lost use of her right arm and was no longer able to speak. Her lungs also stopped working without help but she had clots pass through them causing strokes, so not sure if it was the clots or strokes causing breathing problems. 

Thanks for the info masc 

:( 

When he goes in to get information on his MRI and Catscan, see if the doctor knows about Chiari Malformation. Some doctors don't know about it and it gets mis-diagnosed all the time. That can be a major symptom of it. My sister has it. It's where the cerebellum extends into the lower part of the neck. Read up on it. It could be a possibility. Best of luck! 

I'll let him know, his appointments are in 2 weeks. Thank you! 

Hey my son has that too! 

Chiari Malformation? (YourMom) 

Well the dr. suspected Lou Gherig and another disease. Based on physical tests he ruled out Lou Gherig and is doing additional blood work for the other one. What disease? My sister didn't pick it up so she can't remember, I should be pissed as it only took one question but she's prego so I'll let I slide UGH. I wish I knew which disease he suspects so I can research it. I tried calling the dr but only my sister and my dads wife are on the list if people approved to give info to so I called my sister back and hopefully she'll have a name soon. 

I spoke to the wife finally and 90% chance we have a diagnosis! It's not curable but it may be treatable. I looked at the name of the diagnosis and the only thing missing is his picture. I do appreciate the ideas though ladies! 

We have a diagnosis! Thanks ladies! 

Good news! Hopefully they can figure out some treatment that works. What did it end up being? 

Myasthenia gravis. I know huh?! He's got all the symptoms and blood work confirmed. His droopy face is what bothered me most, it was just sad looking but it was all muscle related. He would open his mouth and all the quirky inappropriateness came out! I hope the steroids help him and hopefully he can eat better. The last time I talked to him he was fine but after a few minutes his voice changed completely and I know that bothers him, my sister asked him to lunch the other day and he declined because he gets so frustrated with his chewing and swallowing issues. 

Aww....hope everything gets better! 

Thanks!