[Dysphagia] sarcoidoisis

[mbhauser at velocity.net (Mary Hauser)]

I am writing about some problems my sister is having with swallowing
Symptoms:
- difficulty swallowing without liquids - food stick at laryngeal level or
below
- wakes up with pressure in throat, nauseau & heartburn (new)
- short of breath when talking or excersing
- abdominal pain, feeling of food or fluid in  mouth when exercising.

She is 55 years old, overweight, works full time as RN.
Medical HX.
- sarcoidosis in her liver ( long term) and in her chest and lymph nodes
(new)
-insulin dependent diabetes
-fibromyalgia
-rheumatoid arthritis
-HX of thryoidectomy with radiation
Numerous surgeries for ovarian cysts, hysterectomy,  gall bladder,
appendectomy

Her meds include:
synthroid
norvase
novalin N
Nexium (new)
Norco ( generic Vicodan)

I am the one to suggest she use liquids to help reduce the food sticking,
and she said that helps some.
We take a water aerobics class together and I haven't noticed her being
short of breath, but she does complain of pain under her arm in region they
have recently found enlarged lymph nodes.  A surgeon has assured her it it
not cancer, but most likely  the sacoidosis.

I'm not sure if the  food sticking trouble is the result of her IDDM, or
sarcoidosis, or if I should tell her to ask the Dr. for a swallow study, and
esphogram or something else?
 I work mostly in the schools, but do PRN in nursing homes so I've never
done anything but bedside evals.

Our mother died from sarcoidoisis at age 40, but from what I've read it's
NOT supposed to be genetic.

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

Mary Hauser, MA CCC-SLP