The Joy of Thickened Fluids

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I really do mean joy and am not being facetious. Since my last maxillectomy in 2022 I have had an issue with drinking as fluid comes out of the side of my mouth. I have very few teeth left and I have an incomplete lip seal as a result of ops. which causes the issue. I have stopped drinking when I go out as it is very embarrassing mopping up my mouth continually when I drink. I drink water standing over the sink to save some mess. Recently I saw a speech pathologist to discuss the issue. I was wondering if thickened fluids might help. She gave me some great advice and I have bought a thickener she recommended. I have had such a great result. The fluid has enough texture now that it stays in my mouth with no spillage. Hurray. I took some of the thickened fluid with me when I went out the other day to my Scrabble group and had no issues with spillage at all. It was like a miracle. I have started trying out different fluids that I could not manage previously. It has really opened up my life. So yes I have found the joy of thickened fluids.

Lyn