Difficulty swallowing liquids

I'm just a year out from surgery for tongue cancer. My swallowing is getting better. But one thing I find is that some foods go down better with hot liquid. So I always like to have decaf tea or coffee standing by. Others are just fine with room temp water. It also seems that when my lymphedema is bad my swallowing is worse.

Thanks Sandy.
When drinking liquid only, do you drink warm liquids as well?
Good luck with your recovery.

Hi. I'm 65 and 16 years out. My surgeon told me my soft pallet was not working effectively. I have had swallowing issues, primarily food, for the last 4-5 years. Liquid is still OK although I have found I cannot swallow liquids "quickly" (chugging). Slowing the process down seems to be better for me. Also, eating and carbonated drinks don't seem to do well together.

I posted the attached last week. I try to do swallowing and neck exercises everyday.

Not necessarily. If I'm not eating I can drink hot or cold. But with food I still have to concentrate on eat bite and make sure it clears before taking another. Sometimes ill drink a cold drink and have to follow up with hot to get it to clear.

I am 71, and 18 years out of nasopharyngeal carcinoma IV. Was ok after radiation and chemo treatment. Four years ago - mid 2020 - I started having difficulties in speech and in swallowing as well. Diagnosed with dysphagia (swallowing issue) and dysarthria (speech issue) - told that these issues are the late effects of radiation - especially to survivors of head and neck cancer.
Yes - I require liquid with my food, and food have to be in small bite sizes - soft and 'mushy', also liquid or water is hard to go down - had to tilt my head a little for the liquid to go down well so that it does not come out through my nose. Drooling also comes into place, and numbness in the lower mouth/jaw area.
Am learning to adapt to this change in lifestyle (with these invisible disabilities, it restricts me mingling and socialising with families and friends and in public places).
After 4 years - am still learning and adapting to be 'ok' in living with these disabilities!
It's tough!

Sorry to read about everyones swallowing issues health problems.

My wife had a radical neck dissection and adjunct radiation for stage 4 tonsil cancer in 1997.

Surgery, radiation and no saliva have changed her oral health and eating & swallowing and such.
Not bad for first 10 years but more challenging since but you adapt to the new normal. It is what it is.
Currently on chemo for pancreatic cancer and that gives us even more challenges but it adds excitement.

ENT surgeon said the only ones who have long term side effects from surgery and radiation are the ones still alive - made us realize we have it pretty good.
Attitude is everything.

We have experimented with “THICK IT” thickener to help thin liquids (water) as it seems thicker liquids and yogurt go down easier.
We experiment with drinking Pedialyte and coconut water or mix them in place of plain water, hoping the electrolytes or whatever trick the nerves in the neck to let them pass with no coughing.
Maybe popsicle’s or ice in mouth to melt, milk, half n half, heavy whipping cream, Gatorade, carrot, tomato, apple, orange juice?
Maybe vegetable, chicken, beef broth?Everyday is an experiment to see what works or what helps.

You may need periodic IV hydration therapy, it has really helped us with chemo treatments.
HT IV RN said it is so much easier to try to stay ahead of the issue rather than having to treat an ailment caused by the issue.

We were given the following,
Safety Eating Precautions:
-Upright (90 degrees in a chair) with all oral intake
-Focus on eating task, no distractions, focus, focus, no talking, no TV, no reading, no distractions.
-Small bites/sips
-Cough/throat clear after sips of liquid
-Alternate solids and liquids
-Left head turn with solids to clear residue
Hope this may help someone.
God bless and good luck.

Thank you all for your input. My symptoms and troubles are pretty much Identical to those of Josk. It is sad that our issues lessen our ability to socialize in general. That challenges every aspect of life and a troubling new normal.
I continue with exercises and will have my 5th dilation in January. I’m not seeing a great improvement but my hope is it will maintain and not worsen. My biggest problem is gradual weight loss which is what I am dealing with at the moment. Next step I plan to see a dietitian.
I never thought my post cancer issues would develop 15 years later but I am still alive.

Steve,
Food is your medicine.
Wife also has difficulty eating, especially currently with chemo treatments.
Issue with both physical difficulty and volume of food she can eat.
Current experiment is Soylent nutrition drinks (~400c) in many flavors, which are very good.
We add vanilla MASS GAINER powder by Transparent Labs, which is very good but does add sweetness, and immersion blend to add ~ 375c and protein.
Also use benecalorie by Nestle to add ~ 330c to whole milk yogurt (~200c).
You can add the calorie / protein supplements to almost anything you prefer.
Everyday is an experiment.
God bless and good luck.