I have mentioned on several occasions that Kate continues to have problems with salivation. The doctors have recommended several things over the past 6-8 months. Initially, we thought it was an acid reflux problem. That led to increasing her omeprazole. That didn’t work. We tried an antihistamine think it might relate to allergies. That didn’t work. Then Dr. Reasoner tried atropine. No luck. A month ago Dr. Reynolds gave her a prescription for glycopyrrolate. That doesn’t seem to have worked.
Since I could see no visible signs of acid reflux, I have been thinking she has just “forgotten” how to swallow her saliva. Increasingly, I have felt it is more than that.
Yesterday and today at lunch she has had difficulty eating. On both occasions, I thought it was acid reflux even though I couldn’t see some of the ordinary external signs that go along with that.
I gave her Gascon tablets to see if that would help. It didn’t. It is almost impossible to get her to tell me how it feels or give some some sign of a symptom so that I will be able to have some direction as to what to do or to tell the doctor. I finally got her to say one thing. She said her throat felt tight.
After she had taken the tablets, I asked if that was helping the problem. She asked, “What problem?” I don’t know whether she was temporarily forgetting her problem or that she didn’t think of it as a problem. When I tried to explain, she indicated that she still had trouble swallowing.
We remained at the table a long time. Finally, we left, but the problem was not over. It has continued all afternoon. I am at a loss as to what to do now. Tomorrow I will contact the doctor to let him know the situation and to say that she feels her throat is tight; so it is difficult for her to swallow. Maybe that will lead him to some other issue that can be addressed.
I am puzzled. I hope the doc has an answer, but I feel he won’t. This may be something that requires further testing.
I am also wondering if it could be a symptom of something more serious. I recall that on our trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos, someone traveling with us mentioned the serious of acid reflux and that left untreated, it could cause cancer of the throat. I am now wondering about that. That seems strange, however, as we have had the reflux under control for quite some time.
This is our first medical issue (if that is what it is) since her diagnosis. I hope it is nothing serious. I have just written a message to Kate’s doctor that he will get in the morning when he checks his email. I plan to call him as well.
