Swallowing after 7 wks head and neck radiation

Posted by bri3sd @bri3sd, 3 days ago

My husband on 10/31/24 completed 7wks of head and neck radiation for stage 4 squamous cell. The act of swallowing still hurts my husband. Is it going to get better for him?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

@hrhwilliam

Hi @bri3sd Welcome to our Head and Neck group.
Swallowing likely will be a challenge for months. My experience is it either gets easier or we just get used to the difficulties.
There are roughly fifty muscles involved with a simple swallow. Many of those muscles were radiated and have stiffness as a result. In addition, likely he suffers from dry mouth, a common occurrence again from being zapped.
Radiation recovery is similar to a serious burn recovery, months if not years, years if not ever. The scars (internal) may never completely go away.
I had to learn how to eat again. And not just how, what. Some foods are off the list as they cannot be easily swallowed. I am the last one finished at the table, small bits, lots of chewing, plenty of liquids to chase.
Your husband can also seek swallowing therapy, yes, it’s a thing. Are there specific foods difficult to swallow?

Jump to this post

Thank you. Just swallowing water is difficult. Thats all he us swallowing right now

REPLY
@bri3sd

He hasn't swallowed food yet. Still using peg tube. Swallowing water is still a struggle and says his throat is raw and still hurts something aweful. I can't imagine.

Jump to this post

He could perhaps try warm chicken or beef broth, Jello, or even tea or coffee initially. It does take time especially since he was on a feeding tube, a bit of re-learning. Hard work and courage. It isn't easy this recovery stuff. Better days ahead.

REPLY

It sucks. Hard to watch him struggle.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.