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Inability to swallow timeframe: Can one relearn to swallow?

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Sep 7 1:54pm | Replies (13)
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@suzannekay753

Hi Andy the an
I haven’t been able to swallow in 9 months again. This time it’s from radiation in 2013. My ENT just referred me to a specialist in larynx to check out my vocal cords. Won’t be until the 24th of June. I’ll let you know.
In the meantime I’m doing swallow therapy and exercises at home. Very frustrating. Hang in there.
Sue

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Replies to "Hi Andy the an I haven’t been able to swallow in 9 months again. This time..."
josk | @josk | Jul 29 11:14am

Hi Sue
I nasopharyngeal cancer - stage 4 - in 2006. I was on feeding tube during 7 weeks of radiation and after the entire treatment and with time to heal, I was almost back to norm.
But during COVID pandemic and restricted to working from home (live alone) - I suddenly find that my speech was very much impaired and same goes for swallowing. I was absolutely in a panic mode. Connected with my oncologist and ENT team - was diagnosed with severe neck fibrosis and dysphagia / dysarthria - long term side effects of radiation!!
Like you - I have been doing dysphagia exercises and whatever to get my neck, jaw & mouth exercises.
With this late effects of radiation - it tends to change my lifestyle around - i.e. issues with speech and hearing, and not able to swallow food properly (most times I have to spit out whatever gets stuck in my throat).
Meanwhile, am doing my best in exercises to prevent deterioration of these side effects, and trying to be 'ok' on my own (it's a challenge to have friends and/or people understand and aware and accommodate 'invisible' disabilities!)
Keep well !

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