Swallowing assessment for stroke patient. Advice?

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Lastnn30 Asked May 2015

Swallowing assessment for stroke patient. Advice?

Hello
My mother had her 3rd stroke almost 2 months ago and since then she is in locked in syndrome (paralyse and can only blink her eyes and she cannot speak)

We feed her using nasogastric tube. Lately she started moving her mouth (jaws) like she is chewing a gum! And she started to close her mouth so hard that no one can open it if we want to clean it. If I inset my finger in her mouth she automatically will close her mouth and start moving her mouth like chewing a gum. I uploaded a video so you can see if that is a sign of swallowing or not. please click on this video or her by clicking the following link:

My question how can I know if she can swallow or not. Just want to mention that inserting nasogastric tube was a big challenge, it took the nurse 3 hours to inset it. So taking it out is almost not an option for us because finding someone to inset it again is very challenging. Thanks you.

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score 1 · Answer 1

Lastinn, e-mail the Admins and ask them to delete it. I don't know of any way we make changes to our own posts, so the Admins will have to do it for you.

It was a honest mistake; don't feel bad; your intentions were good.

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score 0 · Answer 2

Thanks garden artist, I do not know how to delete the video link. I am going to find away to do that. I feel bad now ii have done that, I did not have her permission. Thanks.

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score 1 · Answer 3

Adding this, that determining whether or not someone can swallow is certainly someone a family member would want to know, but it really requires a medical professional to analyze and diagnoses.

The swallow study is the only method with which I'm familiar, and as Blannie points out, your mother might not be able to undergo that. I've seen it done, twice.

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score 1 · Answer 4

I echo Blannie's recommendations, especially about the video. There are many knowledge people here, of which Blannie is one. But the questions you're asking are very medically oriented, and that video should be seen by a medical professional who can give you the technical advice you need.

I would urge you to ask whatever doctor is treating your mother to recommend a speech pathologist, and/or someone who specializes in post-stroke rehab.

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score 0 · Answer 5

Sorry I hit post by mistake.. to continue my previous post...
No she can not follow orders. Only blink her eyes randomly.
Thanks for your help again.

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score 0 · Answer 6

hi blannie , thanks for your reply. I see your point about the video but these things need to be described so accurately otherwise no one would be able to give correct help. anyway I am thinking now to remove it but I do not think I can.

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score 1 · Answer 7

Can your mother follow directions? If not, I don't see how they could do a swallow study on her. My dad had one after his stroke and they have the person swallowing different things while they have a way to see what's happening. So if she can't follow directions, I don't think they could do it.

For example, if you say "Open your mouth", can she do that? From the video you had (which I don't think you should have up on this site - it's too private to have up for anyone to see), it doesn't seem as though your mom understands what is going on. But talk to the doctors who are treating her to see what they say.

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Swallowing assessment for stroke patient. Advice?

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