Hello
My mother had her 3rd stroke almost 2 months ago and since then she is in locked in syndrome (paralyse and can only blink her eyes and she cannot speak)
We feed her using nasogastric tube. Lately she started moving her mouth (jaws) like she is chewing a gum! And she started to close her mouth so hard that no one can open it if we want to clean it. If I inset my finger in her mouth she automatically will close her mouth and start moving her mouth like chewing a gum. I uploaded a video so you can see if that is a sign of swallowing or not. please click on this video or her by clicking the following link:
My question how can I know if she can swallow or not. Just want to mention that inserting nasogastric tube was a big challenge, it took the nurse 3 hours to inset it. So taking it out is almost not an option for us because finding someone to inset it again is very challenging. Thanks you.
For example, if you say "Open your mouth", can she do that? From the video you had (which I don't think you should have up on this site - it's too private to have up for anyone to see), it doesn't seem as though your mom understands what is going on. But talk to the doctors who are treating her to see what they say.
I would urge you to ask whatever doctor is treating your mother to recommend a speech pathologist, and/or someone who specializes in post-stroke rehab.
The swallow study is the only method with which I'm familiar, and as Blannie points out, your mother might not be able to undergo that. I've seen it done, twice.
It was a honest mistake; don't feel bad; your intentions were good.
No she can not follow orders. Only blink her eyes randomly.
Thanks for your help again.