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Dear Diary,

What's the deal with this entry? I started it almost a year ago and then left it. It was a reaction to the following question in an ALS Facebook group.

Good morning

This disease does not affect me, but a good friend. (...)

He can no longer write himself and has asked me to ask a question for him.

He said that as soon as he drinks something, he starts to get slimy.

He wants to know if it is normal?!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/amyotrophe.lateralsklerose/?multi_permalinks=5954711157896745&comment_id=5966138070087387&notif_id=1666206598806141&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

On Facebook, I quickly posted my answer in fragments on the side. I also saved it here as a draft. But the report did not make it past the draft stage, which is actually a shame. The question concerns most ALS patients in the same way. And according to my research, there are no real scientific findings on the subject. Or am I too stupid to find the right information? And obviously neither are the doctors treating me. They get more tips from me than vice versa. Find the mistake.

?

But yes, I have often and for a long time racked my brains over this question. I'll summarise my findings as best I can:

  • Tap water is the only liquid that keeps mucus within reasonable limits.
  • Anything else will lead to significant mucus build-up in the mouth super fast.
  • Milk protein is really bad. For me as a vegan, in two respects.
  • If your carers think you need to drink two litres of tea a day, I just have one question. Did you do that before? No? Then why all of a sudden now? Forget the old wives' tale. You can find detailed reasons here: Tea or not to tea.
  • Unfortunately, alcohol, carbonic acid and, if you like, everything that has a good taste are not exactly beneficial either.
  • Even Carmex lip balm causes me to get very mucusy. I am relatively sure that the slightly pungent smell also plays a role here.
  • The less I drink, the more I get slimy. It gets thick, tough and sticky.
  • The more I drink, the more mucus I produce. But at some point, the mucus turns back into something like saliva and that's bearable.

Practical tip: I've got into the habit of always drinking a hot coffee first, which loosens the snot and rinses it down. And then always rinse with 60-70 ml of ice water. Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour a little tap water on it and let it stand for 10 minutes. There's nothing better to clear the throat, for example after a drink.