Dear Al Gil,
After three Swallow Studies, a year of doing tongue/throat exercises, and much patience, the answer is "yes." It takes a good while for everything to go back to near normal--I could not speak, eat or drink for approximately one year. Now, a few years later, it is hard to remember those times. Maybe the brain blocks out the negativity...Also, check into using a "Red-Light Therapy Wand." I waved one around inside the throat area for many months and do believe it helped. You will find these devices are very inexpensive online. Best wishes to you.