Michael,

Has anybody suggested the possibility of gastro-esophageal reflux disorder
(GERD)?  This would present with the symptoms you describe and is caused by
the sphincter at the top of the stomach failing to close properly and food
can actually back up into your esophagous/throat as you eat.

Folks with CP (self included) often exhibit a pronounced gag reflex because
the musculature in the throat can be somewhat spastic when stimulated (I
have a hell of a time brushing my teeth because of the problem).

My recommendation would be to find a decent gastroenterologist who is
familiar with neuromuscular problems.

-Kyle



-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Michael Orzel
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 1999 2:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Another medical question


           Hello,
          You may remember that some weeks ago I asked this list about how
          is it when you go in for surgery and you have CP.  Well, the
          response that I got was helpful in preparing me to go for the
          procedure and I thank the people who responded.

          Now for the news.  Five years I thought that I had a pocket in my
          throat and it was causing me to choke on my food so that I had to
          vomit to clear my throat.  Five years ago I went to have a series
          of x-rays to find out why I was choking.  Upon the revelation
          that I had a pocket, it was suggested to me to have it removed
          and I went to see a surgeon.  My wife and I did not like the
          person who I saw and I did not have the operation done.

          The symptoms were not to bad until this past spring when the
          choking got to new heights, so I went to another surgeon.
          This surgeon wanted me to have another series of barium swallows
          and a scope to see if my pocket increased in size.  He did not
          see the pocket so he put me under general anesthetic to relax my
          throat muscles so he could see the pocket.  Guess what, there is
          NO pocket, The hospital who read my x-rays five years ago, read
          them wrong.

          My wife and I went to see the surgeon yesterday to see what could
          be wrong.  He is having me go to have x-rays of me swallowing
          because he feels that I have a very spastic muscle in my throat.
          My question to is group is, does anybody have a muscle in the
          throat that makes it difficult to eat and if so, what do you do.

          My surgeon said that there are a number of activities that they
          could do including Botox(?Sp) injections. He also said that this
          spastic muscle in my throat is not related to CP.

          Anyone with answers to my questions, please respond.  I am very
          much interested in your answers.  Thank you.

            By the way, today is Wendy's and my 10th wedding anniversary.