I have a drinking problem. A literal, mechanical drinking problem. I choke on any beverage I try to imbibe.
It hasn’t always been this way. I used to be able to drink a glass of water without drowning. But now, probably about half the time, I’ll end up in a wheezy coughing and choking fit as the liquid tries to go down my trachea.
I don’t know what’s changed. A year and a half ago, I thought this would be fixed by my Chiari decompression surgery. It wasn’t. I still cannot drink properly. It might be weight-related — that’s my best guess at the moment.
There are all sorts of programs and support groups for people with alcohol dependency. There are almost none for actual drinking problems. So I guess I’m going to have to deal with this myself. Ideas, other than “Drink more slowly”?
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I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one whose mind immediately went to Airplane!.
Get thee to a doctor’s office! You might benefit from some physical therapy. Are you finding your speech weakened or affected at all as well?
My speech is slurred sometimes, yes, and, separately, I cannot articulate words as well as I used to, even when I’m really concentrating. Simple stuff, like saying my name so that people can understand me.
PT or OT?
MD, they will prescribe PT or OT as needed. But probably OT.