Lupus Support Group

I totally understand what you are talking about. Had mammometry test done in '04 showed that only 3 out of 12 swallows work. since then I have noticed the swallowing issue is worsening. had barium swallow testing done last week and was basically normal. need to think about endo. on coumadin so dr. will not do the procedure. with aps, I clot and can't go off coumadin for this. I notice when I swallow hot or cold, the liquid is very painful going down. reaching the stomach and bursting into pain. may have an ulcer. recently diagnoised with polymyositis and scerlederma as well as lupus.. my doctor tells me this could definetly be the issue with swallowing. lupus, and scerlederma scar the esophogesic tissue causing the scarring to narrow the esophogus and so everything gets stuck. pills get stuck in my sternum and need to swallow something soft to push it down. also tried to have my esophogus stretched in '06 and with no sucessess. it failed as if the next day nothing was done. doctor tells me it was related to nerve damage. have not had it stretched since it does nothing to help. try to eat 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones. east slowly, avoid bread, meat, rice, and vinegar dressings. all these tend to get stuck or activate my gag relex. I am taking coumadin, plaquenil, predisone.good luck hope this is helpful.

Hi Goldengirl ... Your story sounds very similar to mine. I hope my swallowing issue does not get worse. I also eat very slowly and several times per day instead of large meals. My PCP was thinking CREST/scleroderma, but my rheum. said SLE. He also mentioned myositis on a recent visit. I'm sorry you have to be in this support group but am somehow comforted that you are. In fact, I hope ALL of you are doing OK. I appreciate everyone's support so much.