Yes, I'm referring to the same Heimlich Maneuver that is used to help people who are choking.
If you are wondering what the Heimlich Maneuver has to do with multiple sclerosis (MS), I'll tell you - a great deal. As it turns out, many of us have MS-related dyphagia, the clinical term for problems swallowing. In fact, it is estimated that between 30 and 40 percent of us will experience problems swallowing at some time. What is especially alarming is that in many cases, the dysphagia is subtle enough that we don't know it is an issue until we start choking.
For this reason, I strongly urge anyone with MS to encourage family member to learn the Heimlich Maneuver. It is an extremely simple procedure, performed by wrapping one's arms around a choking person from behind and thrusting joined fists up into the upper abdomen.
Since it is far easier to see what to do by looking at some illustrations, I urge you to visit this link to the website of the Heimlich Institute: How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver. You will find instructions for many kinds of situations. I also strongly recommend you look at the part that gives instructions for what to do if you are choking and alone.
Please. Explain to your family the importance of learning the Heimlich Maneuver. Take 10 minutes and look at this website with your loved ones. Learn the Heimlich Maneuver - even practice some of the positions on one another. You can make it a little silly if it makes it easier to tackle this scary topic, but make sure the message gets across. It could save your life some day.
Read more about MS-related dysphagia:
Problems Swallowing as a Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis
Tips for Dealing with Swallowing Problems for People with Multiple Sclerosis
About six months before I was diagnosed, I started choking while at a restaurant. Of course, I panicked but not so much that I didn’t right away feel embarrassed and left the table without indicating what was wrong and went back into a hallway. Stupid move. If my husband hadn’t come to check on me and then knew to perform the Heimlich…I guess I could have died. I started choking a lot after that and just assumed I had damage to my throat. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed that I learned choking is common with MS. I only take the smallest bites of food now.
My MS was diagnosed in 2002, but I never had any problems swallowing until mid to late 2009 after I had undergone chemo, radiation, neck disection surgery, and some more chemo. I totally lost the ability to swallow sometime after the surgery. I’m working with a gasterenterologist and otalaryngologist to try and regain the ability to at least swallow my own oral excretions so I don’t have to carry a spit bottle around with me all the time. I wonder if the MS is making what is typically a long, difficult process even more difficult.
Toni
I had that same story @ the restaurant (without needing the heimlich,) but leaving the table. Weirdly, I choked on an artichoke (the scratchiness)! That was 20 years before I was dxd. And from then on, unpredictably and long periods apart it would happen. Maybe 3-4 times a year now. But I do try to be careful. It’s especially bad if I have a bit of sinus congestion. I’m now assuming this is dyphagia?
I have not seen that even happen to me . . . yet, however, thank you for the eye opener. I have noticed that I tend to stop speaking mid-sentence sometimes and even though my wife knows the heimlich (She works @ an elementary school) it helps to know of something that is a possibility.
Again, thanks.
Like Colleen I also have this happen a few times a year and it happens for a couple of weeks and then goes away but I’ve always attributed it to my MS. Once it rears it’s head I am particularly careful with every bite or swallow because it happens with liquid too. Usually comes along with serious bladder incontinence for me (and I notice this not only as I choke but also when I laugh, sneeze, cough, etc.) during these episodes.
Julie! Thank you so much for this article. My husband has had to perform the Heimlich on me twice in less than three months. I am afraid to eat when I am alone. I am printing your article so I will have on hand the info I need. You really help us!
I have had to do that on my self several times.Seem,s like when I get choked I,m Never around any1.Really thank full I used to be a EMT.
I was diagnosed in 2009, but never had problem with chocking, my problem was that i started having double vision so i went to my Ophthalmologist and she dilated my pupils she said my optic nerve was kind of swollen, so she gave me a prescription to go to the ER and after a whole afternoon in the hospital doing all this tests they told me i had MS.
Thank God i’ve been doing good so far, i’m on my third medication, tried betaseron, gylenia, didn’t work now i’m doing great with tysabri.
Thank you for the article Julie, I was diagnosed in 1995; I have relapsing/remitting MS and over the past year have noticed having more difficulty in swallowing – last night I was at a picnic and choked on a piece of lamb -it truly was terrifying – I couldn’t breathe, speak – (ironically I just was recertified last week in CPR, where they also teach the Heimlich) and at first others at the picnic thought I was joking – but I grabbed my throat – which is the universal symbol for choking and fortunately one of my friends recognized this and did the Heimlich. I was embarrassed, but am grateful to be here this morning, able to respond to your article! Excellent topic and I encourage everyone to learn the Heimlich manuever.
Very simple writing; but attractive and useful article. We want to know more details about Heimlich Maneuver. Hope, everyone will get benefit from this.
Thanks a lot.
Please remember if someone is in a wheelchair, get them out of the chair to do the Hemlich.
I have had to do that on myself several times.Not a good feeling at all.
Nearly had a problem with this once but to avoid it I do smaller bites and eat slowly. I am the last one finished but so what!! Also, water (any liquid) to help with swallowing.
As a caregiver, I can attest to the importance of knowing how to administer Heimlich. Every caregiver should be trained on this. Swallowing issues can creep up unexpectedly like relapses do. They can disappear for a time and return with a vengeance. Extremely helpful for my spouse was speech therapy where the therapist used the Vital Stim therapy system in her office along with traditional speech therapy when the dysphagia was acute. My spouse continues the traditional speech therapy at home every day to strengthen those muscles related to swallowing.
I have to agree with Colleen, it is worse with sinus problems. I choke at least once a month on the most simple things. Just today I ate a piece of cake and after my second bite started to choke. I usually just drink some water until it goes away enough to where I can just clear my throat without the continuous coughing. It takes about 10 minutes before my throat is 100% clear. Sadly as often as it happens my husband never really seems too concern….. But I too leave the room during these times even go outside to get some fresh air which seems to help some.