I just started radiation, what kind of side effects should I expect?

Thank you encouragement and prayers along with God's grace and mercy will see me through all this

@kmlnj Thank you for the encouraging words. Along with the tips on drinks

Hi,
Sorry you have to go through this. My only recommendation in addition to what others have said is to do everything you can NOT to get a feeding tube! I was put on a PEG tube after 3 weeks of radiation and in hindsight I wish that I had fought harder to eat/drink. I had lots of complications from the feeding tube and was hospitalized 3 times because of it. It also took a long time to get the tube removed. There are many cases where a feeding tube is life-saving, obviously, however if you can avoid it, I would suggest that you do.

I managed to stay off a feeding tube. I started losing some weight and I knew I needed to get calories in. I would eat a creamy peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Boost drink with added protein powder daily. It would take an hour to get down. Slow small bites. The peanut butter for protein and jelly to help slide it down. Maybe a banana if I could. You will need to Force yourself to eat. I started to maintain weight at that point. I also ate alot of eggs anyway I could during that time. Soups and cottage cheese. I tried to make whatever I ate count, so to speak . Many folks go on a feeding tube and then wean off with no isssues. I did not want to go that route unless I had too. Today almost 3 years out I can eat anything and I am back to about 95%. Hang in there. God speed.

@jonesja Thank you, that is very helpful. I don't want any feeding tube either. Everything I eat tastes like crap and I feel like I'm going to puke. Wish I could eat a PB&j. I had to have my teeth pulled before I started radiation so I'm on a soft diet and with this dry mouth all I can handle is chicken noodle soup.

Try xylimelts for dry mouth especially at night. I have a pill cutter and cut one in half and put half in each side of my cheeks. That way it doesn’t get quite as much of a mucus build up. That way you can sleep without waking up from a dry mouth. Everyone is different but you may or may not recover from dry mouth. I’m three years out and have dry mouth. I’m always have water or coffee with me and just take small sips to wet my whistle. You get used to it. Xylimelts are pure Xylitol and help your teeth fight bacteria. That and fluoride treatments keep my teeth from getting cavities from the dry mouth. You learn to live with dry mouth. In the mean time keep up with your protein drinks and Gatorade isn’t bad at all. Keeping weight on is paramount. If you can’t eat enough energy to thrive then they’ll look into a feeding tube and that works but is a pain in the ass. Yes keep up the faith. They have magic mouthwash which will numb your mouth and throat completely so you can eat. Tell your oncologist everything so they can help you. Trust your nurses they are invaluable. Good luck you’re almost there! Keep up the faith!!

Also try drinking egg nog. It has a huge calorie blast and puts weight on quickly. Try soups that have more food value than chicken noodle soup you could have clam chowder and get some calories down that way. Cream of wheat made with whole milk has a lot of calories and a decent amount of protein. Cans of chili without beans have calories and protein and are surprisingly easy to eat. Runny eggs go down easily too.

@oliverpuppy All that food sounds wonderful but when I eat all I can do is 3-4 mouthfuls and I'm done. I just don't feel like eating. It sux!!! I want to eat believe me.

@alberth You can add cottage cheese when you cook your scrambled eggs. Boosts the protein and increases the cream knees and eases swallowing. If your using protein shakes add ice cream and blend.

I lost 40 pounds with a feeding tube. I was barely able to swallow water, so I can only imagine how much worse it could have been. It appears the treatments may be less intensive or more targeted today, giving people better options than 20 years ago. Good luck!