Difficulty Swallowing
I've had a running 24-7 migraines for the last 4-5 weeks. Seems like this last week, they've gotten progressively worse. This morning, i started having difficulty swallowing during migraines. My throat feels odd, as if it were a little swollen. Swallowing feels forced and mechanical. Anyone else experience this?
Hi retrograndma,
I'm sorry you are having a rough time right now. I've not heard this symptom before nor experienced it, that doesn't mean it's not possible. Hopefully others will be along shortly to share their story with you.
Seeing as this migraine pain has lasted so long, it would be a good idea to contact your doctor and see how he can help you break this current cycle. When migraine pain lasts longer than 72 hours it increases our risk of status migrainous and stroke. Let me share this information on this with you; https://migraine.com/blog/what-is-emergency/.
Will you keep me posted on how you are feeling?
Nancy
thanks for sharing your experience, although I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with such difficulty in swallowing. Have you had an opportunity to talk with your primary care doctor or neurologist about it. I never like to assume anything about a new symptom - or a lingering symptom that never got addressed properly. They might even be able to connect you with a occupational therapist who may have some exercises that can help to strengthen targeted muscles. Just a thought, in hopes that it may help.
Best
Alene, Migraine.com Team Member
Ugh, I understand how frustrating this is. Asmentioned if you haven't spoken with your doctor about the difficulty swallowing, please do. It may be completely unrelated to migraine disease. I so wonder if it's time to see an ENT soon? Please keep us posted and I'm wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team Member
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for that link. I'd spent a lot of time reading the forums and posts yesterday, and had run across that page (I think it was you who'd shared it with someone else). So I'm also worried about uninterrupted migraines that go on and on.
I'd gone to the ER this past Saturday morning and the neurology resident said that he suspected I was having temporal lobe seizures in addition to the migraines. So it makes me wonder if my swallowing strangeness is related?
Today my swallowing seems okay or normal. Actually, I just swallowed and it still feels stiff. So when I talk to the neurologist I will mention that.
I saw my primary care this morning. They gave me a shot of Toradol. That brought the migraine back down to a four or five. They also prescribed propranolol 80 mg for me to take daily.
Apparently someone in the ER did not send in an order for the EEG. It's on my paperwork, but didn't get sent to the EEG Clinic. They have an opening tomorrow, so they are going to try to have my primary care doctor order the EEG.
I have an MRI next Wednesday. And I got my name on the cancellation list for the migraine specialist. The Toradol worked enough that I can function today, which is fantastic. It's progress, and I'll take it.
Hi retrograndma,
Thank you for the update. I'll keep my fingers crossed things go smoothly.
Best wished,
Nancy
i sometimes experience this difficulty swallowing with migraines also, I unfortunately can't say what the symptom means but you're not the only one.
