Reflux showed up uninvited, and it is making life miserable. I did not expect this. Just a couple of weeks ago, I sat with a swallow expert and confidently said I had never had a reflux problem, at least not that I was aware of.
Well, reality has arrived, and it is awful.
At first, I blamed the changes in my diet. I have gone to extremes: smoothies, purées, thickened liquids, and very soft foods, while reintroducing red meat, dairy, and eggs. These changes were simply about avoiding choking, and so far, that part has been a success. But now, after every meal, I am left with this awful feeling of acid build-up. It is so unpleasant.
I have since learned that reflux can occur with PSP and PD conditions (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25726518/), though it is far less common than choking. Whether mine is related to PSP or not, it is horrible and adds yet another quality-of-life challenge.
I am trying to look on the bright side and focus on dealing with it, I need to adjust the controls to find the right balance. It happens to a lot of people, especially when you make such drastic changes, and it may just be an adjustment period.
For now, I am managing it with antacids and by sitting upright for at least 30 minutes after meals. I have also started looking into other potential adjustments that have been suggested, including:
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones, to reduce pressure on the stomach.
• Avoiding acidic or spicy foods that can trigger reflux.
• Raising my head more when asleep, to help prevent acid from flowing back up.
The real danger, apart from the unpleasantness, is if reflux spills into the wrong pipe. Acid in the lungs can lead to pneumonia, a serious risk I cannot ignore.
Food used to be such a pleasure. First, I lost my sense of smell. Then came the anti-choking diet. And now reflux. It makes eating a joyless experience. I understand now why weight loss is such a concern, it is not just about calories, it is about the sheer difficulty of eating when food is tasteless, textureless, and now threatening to come back up.
I need to keep adjusting, find ways to hold food down, and somehow rediscover the enjoyment of eating.
If you have faced reflux alongside PSP or PD, what worked for you? Your advice could make a big difference
One Response
My reflux was not combined with PSP or PD but what helped me was eating slowly making sure all food was chewed well and coated in saliva before swallowing, waiting at least two hours after eating before laying down, and taking turmeric (with black pepper) supplements.