[Dysphagia] Feeding Ideas...post fundoplication dysphagia

[ShelleyBautista at hotmail.com (Shelley)]

Thanks for your opinion. I know this is a huge topic of conversation on this
list and the real world. While I have not given my son persmission to sneak
liquids, I have tried to let him know that if he must, make sure it is water
 I worry more about the stuff that has sugar, fats, protein and acid in it.
When his lungs are healthy, water doesn't freak me out, but at this age and
stage of his health, I still won't allow it. I have seen him aspirate water
and I have seen a change in his respiratory state because of it. (It could
be argued that it wasn't the water itself, but the saliva and stuff
contained therein that went down with the water.) He recovers much faster
from water than other substances, but he and his lungs do have to work (too
hard in my opinion) to get the water cleared. While not deadly, I do believe
that anytime his lungs get inflammed, we are contributing to a lasting
problem. I want him to grow up with decent lungs...not ones that are
compromised or not as strong as they could be. My other thought here would
be suppose he hasn't recovered from aspirating the water, his lungs are
still working a little over time to get it cleared and we allow some more to
trickle in, and then some more. His problem is chronic. He will aspirate a
little each and every time. Okay, maybe only about 70% of the time.

The other aspect with him that I need to consider is his overall development
 When he aspirates just water, he takes just enough out of him, that he
doesn't heave energy to do the things that a normal little boy would do,
therefore he doesn't participate in activities, just takes an extra nap or
lays around. For him at this stage in his delayed development that isn't a
very good option. He recovers from water, but it takes a minimum of a half a
day to a whole day. That is time he could be running and playing and
learning.

During these post fundo days and what can my kiddo safely swallow, when
something gets stuck above the wrap and won't go through, I have been giving
him small sips of water to help wash it down. That is preferrable than him 
throwing up" the residual in his esophagus and aspirating that. However, I
know he is aspirating the water and whatever food particles remained in his
mouth, but still preferrable, I think.

I know a day will come, when his lungs are stronger from the years of
unchecked aspirating and then he can have water orally with free abandon! :)
We give him plenty of water through the gtube, so his body is not suffering
from lack of water.

Shelley


 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: dgrabo@nycap.rr.com
Date: 11/11/04 20:32:22
To: Shelley
Subject: Re: [Dysphagia] Feeding Ideas...post fundoplication dysphagia
 
Dear Shelley,
 
   I think you should retry water.  The harmful effects of aspirated water
has been grossly overrated.  The benefits of drinking water far outweigh any
possible harm from intermittent aspiration (if indeed there is any harm from
drinking water and aspirating some of it).  Diane