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How do I know when I can get off my feeding tube?

Posted by AL GiL @jg99t9, Jun 8, 2025

It's been over 7 months since my last radiation treatment for throat cancer. I could not eat because of the pain for months. I can now drink shakes and soups and some soft foods but it is difficult because of the lack of saliva, and though the pain is less now, I still have discomfort in my throat and mouth. Tried Pilocarpine but didn't seem to do anything. Any suggestions on how to deal with dry mouth and any info on how long it might take before I can get off my feeding tube?

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omaest | @omaest | Dec 21, 2025

I've never heard of the red light therapy for radiation damage to the throat. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer and treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Over time the effects of the radiation has caused a lot of problems. Loss of jawbone tissue which caused the loss of molars, nerve damage, difficulty swallowing, compromised my immune system, etc. I'm not sure at this stage - so long after the treatment - that the red light would help. But, it is something I will look into.

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roblem | @roblem | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @omaest "I've never heard of the red light therapy for radiation damage to the throat. 20 years..." + (show)
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I've never heard of the red light therapy for radiation damage to the throat. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer and treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Over time the effects of the radiation has caused a lot of problems. Loss of jawbone tissue which caused the loss of molars, nerve damage, difficulty swallowing, compromised my immune system, etc. I'm not sure at this stage - so long after the treatment - that the red light would help. But, it is something I will look into.

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Hi @omaest

Let us know what you find out from your research as it could benefit many others too.

Thanks,
Rob

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sandy8043 | @sandy8043 | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @thomason "@sandy8043 Hi! If you scroll up, I placed a photo of the wand on eBay and..." + (show)
Profile picture for thomason @thomason

@sandy8043 Hi! If you scroll up, I placed a photo of the wand on eBay and a search term too. There were a few on there...but they are about ten years old now, advertised as "new, old stock, never opened." There are several newer ones on the market now...If you do want the same one as I used, make an offer! They are asking too much! Please update if you do use red-light. Maybe if enough people try it, the doctors will take more notice. Have Happy Holidays.

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@thomason Take a look at this.
https://cancerrehabpt.com/blog/red-light-therapy-for-lymphatic-drainage/

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thomason | @thomason | Dec 21, 2025
In reply to @sandy8043 "@thomason Take a look at this. https://cancerrehabpt.com/blog/red-light-therapy-for-lymphatic-drainage/" + (show)

@sandy8043, Wow! That is a great article. It leads me to believe there really is something to all this! Our ancestors would be amazed. I always think back to General Grant. The historical writings suggest he died of throat cancer in while in agony. Yet, four days before he passed-away, there he sits--in an ancient photo--sitting on his front porch reading a newspaper. Look how far we have come, even with the residual damage! We are still alive! Thank God! Thank you, for the interesting article!

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