Current Events > I ate for the first time in almost a year.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Last year in November I had a relapse on my condition called dermatomyositis and I ended up losing the muscle strength to swallow. Well I randomly thought to try eating again after my last attempt two months ago ended with me choking and coughing up food particles till the next day. I got a soft taco from Taco Bell and managed to eat half of it with the help of water. Im pretty pumped cause I was starting to worry I would never be able to eat again. I think Ill make my next attempt something easier to go down like pudding or ice cream.

Ayyyy, congrats dude!
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Hercik1 posted...

I think Ill make my next attempt something easier to go down like pudding or ice cream.

I'd go for yogurt since it's higher in protein. I'd also consider hummus if you haven't tried it before.
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I didn't know this was a thing

Sorry to hear

Are you hooked up to nutrient IV's or something?

I find it hilarious it was your first time in a year...and you went with taco bell lol

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dude knows what's up, taco bell fucking rules
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Gafemage posted...

Hercik1 posted...

I think Ill make my next attempt something easier to go down like pudding or ice cream.

I'd go for yogurt since it's higher in protein. I'd also consider hummus if you haven't tried it before.

Yeah protein is something Ive been lacking lately.

Zikten posted...

I didn't know this was a thing

Sorry to hear

Are you hooked up to nutrient IV's or something?

I had to get a feeding tube inserted into me and use bolus feeding. Bolus feeding is basically I have a syringe that I put into the device then the liquid formula and let gravity push it down into my stomach. It comes with a pusher device if the liquid gets stuck but that never happened to me.

The only thing concerning about the taco Bell is the whole beef recall thing recently. Glad you were able to eat tho!

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wow that's so amazing, holy crap congrats man :)))
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Doesn't red meat wreck havoc on your digestive system if you haven't eaten it in a long time.
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Touch posted...

The only thing concerning about the taco Bell is the whole beef recall thing recently. Glad you were able to eat tho!

Damn, dude would have the worst luck ever...

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AlephZero posted...

Doesn't red meat wreck havoc on your digestive system if you haven't eaten it in a long time.

I guess I'll find out. My knowledge of food in this situation is extremely limited. I had a speech therapist when the problem first started but I haven't seen them in awhile.

No_U_L7 posted...

Touch posted...

The only thing concerning about the taco Bell is the whole beef recall thing recently. Glad you were able to eat tho!

Damn, dude would have the worst luck ever...

I couldn't help but laugh in that situation. I mean come on what were the chances.

slmcknett posted...

Ayyyy, congrats dude!

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AlephZero posted...

Doesn't red meat wreck havoc on your digestive system if you haven't eaten it in a long time.

No. A person's digestive system doesn't care what you eat as long as it isn't on its list of food sensitivities or allergies as evidenced by long-time vegans and vegetarians giving up their meatless diets without any problems.

Now if a person hasn't eaten anything at all in a long time like in TC's case, then there may be issues involved in breaking a long fast.
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Wow congrats. How were you getting nutrients and stuff before? Can you still drink stuff?
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I thought this was going to be one of those goofballs that claims to live off cosmic energy and they don't need to eat.

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Try soft-when-boiled veggies on chicken broth
Carrots, squash, broccoli, etc
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congrats.

hope that things keep improving in this way.
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Butterfiles posted...

Wow congrats. How were you getting nutrients and stuff before? Can you still drink stuff?

Feeding tube. I couldnt drink liquids before but I gained that ability back. When it first started everything I tried to drink just came out my nose. I made the mistake of trying to drink coke thinking it was heavier and would work and it was an extremely uncomfortable feeling having coke go in my mouth and out my nose.

AdmiralStiff posted...

Try soft-when-boiled veggies on chicken broth
Carrots, squash, broccoli, etc

Its funny when before it started I was a picky eater and that would have sounded eww. Now though all that sounds delicious and I will definitely try it.

I know a guy who has a G-Tube, and my nephew has had it in the past (but doesn't currently). Congratulations!
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Thank you all. Update my eating has improved dramatically the only thing I couldnt really eat was some fried food. Chicken nuggets got stuck in my throat and required a lot of work and liquid to get down. One thing Id notice is its been so long since Ive eaten my mouth doesnt open as wide and chewing wears out my jaw. Both things Id imagine will improve as I keep doing it though. I still need the liquid formula to get my necessary nutrition but I think in a couple of months I should be back to normal.

I do wonder what will happen to the hole leading to my stomach when they take out the feeding tube. Online says its no real issue and heals quickly but I cant wrap my mind around it not just leaking out stomach fluids since apparently no stitches are used.

Congrats dude, I hope you get better.
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Congrats and glad to hear things are going well!
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JustMyOpinion posted...

Have you seen a speech language pathologist? I believe part of their job involves helping with swallowing.

I saw one when the issue first started but that was almost a year ago. There was no improvement for two months not their fault my muscles just werent strong enough since I was still going through a flare up. The copays seemed an unnecessary expense at the time so I stopped. I imagine if I see my rheumatology again and ask for a referral they would approve.

Dude, I'm excited for you. I had to go a couple months without eating in 2016 and it was torture. Can't imagine what a year would be like. Glad you've been able to eat some, you deserve it!
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