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Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (Difficulty Swallowing)
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: May 13 6:00pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
Hi
I had nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in 2006, and yes - there were issues and difficulties with swallowing food - where I have to have liquid at all times during meals. The biggest issue came about during the COVID pandemic where we had to work from home - for myself, there was NIL interaction and/or communication with anyone at all. That was when my dysphagia sets in - that is where I have problems with speech and swallowing - even with liquids. There were times when I just could not form the words - and my speech was slurry. I was in a panic mode - and after going back to my HNC doctor in the hospital and after sever tests and consultations with speech language pathologists - I was told that this is the late effects of radiation. My options right now is to keep doing dysphagia exercises and hope that my situation will not deteriorate to the point where I need a feeding tube inserted, and where I just could not form any words!! My situation has gone to the point where I have to limit my social activities (because of speech issues and people not able to hear what I said and also because of difficulty in swallowing where I have to spit out what I cannot swallow!!)
I am from Toronto, and do have access to one of the best medical care here. At the moment, am doing my best to keep up with the dysphagia exercises - and hoping to avoid having the feeding tube!
Replies to "Hi I had nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in 2006, and yes - there were issues and difficulties..."
I had same cancer in 2013. I now am dealing with Osteoradioncrosis. I had a 12 hour surgery January 2023. It was skull base free flap reconstruction. Very traumatic. The surgery was very successful. However now I have major swallowing and speech issues. I’m working with swallow therapist and doing electrical stimulation . Have not improved at all yet. Lots more to do. I feel your frustration and the tough time swallowing and being social. Very difficult. I guess we just have to hang tough my friend. I’m trying to avoid tube feeding too. I e already done it 2 times before. Once during cancer treatment (radiation and chemo) and once during my surgery in 2023.
Thanks for sharing. You’re the first person that I’ve communicated with regarding after effects of radiation.
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Hello. I to have severe dysphasia due to radiation in 2013. I’m trying my best to avoid a feeding tube too. I am unable to even use the thickening product. I just drink ensure ( coughing all the time) puréed soups, peaches I use yogurt to swallow my crushed pills. I’m praying I’ll get better but I feel I’m fighting a loosing battle. I don’t eat in front of people because I have to spit a lot and I cough. Lots of thick phlegm. I had skull base reconstructive flap surgery january 3, 2023 and my swallowing is worse. Surgery was 12 hours long. They removed all the infected tissue and bone from skull base and put flaps(,pieces of my skin and veins) and covered it with new tissue and veins. Ugh. I’ve recovered from that but no swallowing and everything sticks to the flap on the roof of my mouth. Make sense? Anyway I just pray 🙏
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Thanks for your comment. That sounds like a lot to deal with. I’ve heard that radiation to neck can impact swallowing quite a bit although I didn’t realize it could affect it so long after treatment. So far in my experience the speech therapy has been quite helpful and makes me feel like I have some control over my body. Even if it hasn’t solved the problem, it has lessened my anxiety about it and it does help to relax me before I eat meals. Like you, I have been avoiding social gatherings centered around food because of fear of choking in public and, also, I feel like not many would want to sit with me as it takes me over an hour to finish a small meal. Have to have liquids with everything as well. I hope the dysphagia exercises help both your swallowing and speech issues. And I certainly hope you can avoid a feeding tube! All the best to you.
Nina