Swallowing feels like razor blades

Hello again @bri3sd He is three months out now so I would expect this would get a little better by now, certainly not fully recovered by any means. Gargle with warm salt water several times a day is the primary route most often recommended and for me, that worked. There is also a solution known as "Magic Mouthwash" which has I believe contains Lydocaine along with antifungals and other healing ingredients. This is by prescription only.
Another solution is Red Light therapy, which using infrared light from a wand in the throat has worked well for many. I'm often a skeptic for things like this but I have known of excellent results from this, even from one purchased by mail order.
Go with the warm salt water today, now, right away. Then ask his GP or oncologist for Magic Mouthwash if you think that will help.
It hurt for me to swallow for at least a year. Roughly fifty muscles are involved in the swallowing process, many of them damaged by the radiation. It takes time. I often exercised these muscles by sipping ice water or hot water (coffee/tea/broth), whichever felt best at the time. Doc said likely the salt in the broth was what helped the most. Courage. "Razor Blades" That's an apt description. I agree.

Initially his radiologist only gave him maalox and lidacaine to swish and
gargle. Even though we told him our insurance would pay for magic
mouthwash. Can magic mouthwash be swallowed or just gargle?

Razor blades is an apt description. My throat/swallowing pain got progressively worse during 6 weeks of treatments (took only extra strength Tylenol weeks 5 and 6) but the pain really kicked in after I had my last radiation treatment and for almost exactly 2 weeks thereafter.

I asked my doc for pain meds when this awful pain began and got prescriptions for Gabapentin and another for a mix of hydrocodone and Tylenol. I took every dose as prescribed for about 2 weeks. Really worked for pain management.

I am now another week past that and pain has subsided and swallowing much more smooth.

I have been gargling with the baking soda/salt mix at least, at least, 4 times a day since the first day of radiation.

I received a prescription for the Magic Mouthwash at about 4 weeks but never used it because it only offers very short term relief.

I continue to do all the exercises that I was given and will continue to do them into the future for my throat /swallowing. Was your husband given exercises to do on a daily basis?
I understand it is very important to do them not only for short term but to mitigate or even eliminate recurrence of side effects in the long term.

Worst side effect I have is a complete absence of any ability to taste, anything. Most liquids and solid foods taste like tin, metal or horse’s hooves. This makes it difficult for me to have an appetite. Largely subsisting on carnation instant breakfast, ensure, yogurt, saturated cereals. Having enough of these to stop weight loss at 25 pounds (began at 205 pounds).

Razor blades is an apt description. My throat/swallowing pain got progressively worse during 6 weeks of treatments (took only extra strength Tylenol weeks 5 and 6) but the pain really kicked in after I had my last radiation treatment and for almost exactly 2 weeks thereafter.

I asked my doc for pain meds when this awful pain began and got prescriptions for Gabapentin and another for a mix of hydrocodone and Tylenol. I took every dose as prescribed for about 2 weeks. Really worked for pain management.

I am now another week past that and pain has subsided and swallowing much more smooth.

I have been gargling with the baking soda/salt mix at least, at least, 4 times a day since the first day of radiation.

I received a prescription for the Magic Mouthwash at about 4 weeks but never used it because it only offers very short term relief.

I continue to do all the exercises that I was given and will continue to do them into the future for my throat /swallowing. Was your husband given exercises to do on a daily basis?
I understand it is very important to do them not only for short term but to mitigate or even eliminate recurrence of side effects in the long term.

Worst side effect I have is a complete absence of any ability to taste, anything. Most liquids and solid foods taste like tin, metal or horse’s hooves. This makes it difficult for me to have an appetite. Largely subsisting on carnation instant breakfast, ensure, yogurt, saturated cereals. Having enough of these to stop weight loss at 25 pounds (began at 205 pounds).

Razor blades is an apt description. My throat/swallowing pain got progressively worse during 6 weeks of treatments (took only extra strength Tylenol weeks 5 and 6) but the pain really kicked in after I had my last radiation treatment and for almost exactly 2 weeks thereafter.

I asked my doc for pain meds when this awful pain began and got prescriptions for Gabapentin and another for a mix of hydrocodone and Tylenol. I took every dose as prescribed for about 2 weeks. Really worked for pain management.

I am now another week past that and pain has subsided and swallowing much more smooth.

I have been gargling with the baking soda/salt mix at least, at least, 4 times a day since the first day of radiation.

I received a prescription for the Magic Mouthwash at about 4 weeks but never used it because it only offers very short term relief.

I continue to do all the exercises that I was given and will continue to do them into the future for my throat /swallowing. Was your husband given exercises to do on a daily basis?
I understand it is very important to do them not only for short term but to mitigate or even eliminate recurrence of side effects in the long term.

Worst side effect I have is a complete absence of any ability to taste, anything. Most liquids and solid foods taste like tin, metal or horse’s hooves. This makes it difficult for me to have an appetite. Largely subsisting on carnation instant breakfast, ensure, yogurt, saturated cereals. Having enough of these to stop weight loss at 25 pounds (began at 205 pounds).

Hello again @bri3sd He is three months out now so I would expect this would get a little better by now, certainly not fully recovered by any means. Gargle with warm salt water several times a day is the primary route most often recommended and for me, that worked. There is also a solution known as "Magic Mouthwash" which has I believe contains Lydocaine along with antifungals and other healing ingredients. This is by prescription only.
Another solution is Red Light therapy, which using infrared light from a wand in the throat has worked well for many. I'm often a skeptic for things like this but I have known of excellent results from this, even from one purchased by mail order.
Go with the warm salt water today, now, right away. Then ask his GP or oncologist for Magic Mouthwash if you think that will help.
It hurt for me to swallow for at least a year. Roughly fifty muscles are involved in the swallowing process, many of them damaged by the radiation. It takes time. I often exercised these muscles by sipping ice water or hot water (coffee/tea/broth), whichever felt best at the time. Doc said likely the salt in the broth was what helped the most. Courage. "Razor Blades" That's an apt description. I agree.