Question: I have begun having choking problems when swallowing. I do not have to be eating anything Just swallowing saliva will sometimes feel like it goes down wrong. I have extremely dry mouth snd throat and this often causes a tickle in my throat that makes me cough. There is nothing I cough up during these episodes. I had blood work done a few weeks ago and was able to look up results online but I have not been back to the doctor for his report. The blood test showed abnormal nuclear antibodies. The comments were that it could indicate an autoimmune disorder. I have no symptoms of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. However I looked up Sjorgrens syndrome and many of my symptoms match those given for this disorder. I was diagnosed years ago with an autonomic disorder that affects my blood pressure and heart rate as well as many other symptoms. I’m wondering if sjorgrens syndrome could be affecting the autonomic nervous system. The blood tests were ordered to check for neuropathy. I have been told that I have peripheral neuropathy and the doctor suspects autonomic neuropathy. I will see the doctor for his findings in a few days. These choking/ coughing symptoms are happening more and more often. Can you tell me what might cause this?

No one in my family has an autoimmune disease that I know of. I have had a lot of symptoms over the years. Primarily erratic blood pressure that goes extremely high to dropping so low I fall to the floor. Other symptoms are fatigue, hyper somnolence, I found out that I have interstitial changes in my lungs (possibly from two episodes of pneumonia?). I have vertigo. episodes of blurry vision, frequent diarrhea, acid reflux, migraine headaches, joint and muscle pain, tingling in my feet, I have had a feeling of stinging and itching pain on torso and arms like from a rash but no rash is present. I have interstitial cystitis that makes it hard to know if I have an actual urinary tract infection or if it’s just a flare up of cystitis. I have had some memory problems and brain “fog”. Hoarseness is another problem I have quite often.

I have seen many doctors snd had many tests run over the years and an autonomic disorder is all the doctors could come up with to explain my symptoms.