Bad News on Swallowing

I didn't pass the swallow test. I'm still getting some things I swallow into my lungs.

They're setting me up with a speech therapist. Oddly enough, it is speech therapists who work with swallowing disorders.

This means at least another month before another swallow test. I suspect it will be longer.

The inability to swallow properly didn't appear on any of the anticipated side effects lists from either my doctors or my own research. Difficulty swallowing had lengthy discussions. Getting stuff I swallow into my lungs wasn't mentioned. The doctors really haven't said much about it and I was expecting it to just be a temporary bump in the road.

From the research I've done since I developed the problem, a surgical correction is unlikely. The condition can be permanent when it follows surgery.

I suspect it's related to the swelling (edema) on my neck. Now that some nerves have grown back in some areas I can feel that there is about as much swelling inside my throat as there is outside on my neck. I think that's interfering with my swallowing.

The problem with that is my body has no way of dealing with that swelling. The lymph system that formerly dealt with it was removed. I've been told that the swelling will just go away by itself given enough time. It's been 8 months since the surgery that caused the swelling.

I did some digging into what happens when the lymph system doesn't work. Mine obviously doesn't work on the right side of my neck - it's gone. The most common thing that many people are familiar with is elephantiasis.

Elephantiasis is caused by a parasite that blocks the lymph system and prevents it from functioning. You've probably seen pictures of people in Africa or India with elephantiasis. Guys are often photographed with their private parts in a wheelbarrow and their legs about 3' around.

I am eagerly awaiting the next appointment with my doctor. I have some questions to ask about some subjects he has either dodged around or has been less than direct in answering.