Getting frustrated with throat pain post radiation

srm
Just a note of curiosity, how are you progressing? I am hopeful things are getting better for you although one would expect it is not quickly enough.
I am wishing this note finds you in good recovery.
William

Hi @hrwilliam
My Throat pain has improved significantly but it ended up taking even longer than expected.
On January 16, 2022 I had emergency surgery to repair a bleeding Lingula Artery. Apparently this type of radiation induced aneurysm is extremely rare. As a result, My oncologist told me that I will be on a liquid diet the remainder of my life and will be on a pain management (opioids) program the remainder of my life. Just being told such does not mean I will stop trying. I plan to eat again some day as well as get off opioids. Overall, I am doing much better and feeling quite well. I have the pain but it could be much worse. I am walking and talking. My wife and I just took a short vacation (Just a family visit). It was nice to socialize and laugh again even though I can't eat. It's been a long time. Life is good 🙂

Hi srm,
Well heck. Better and then another mess. This life with the effects of cancer is just a pain in the neck, in more ways than one. Frustrating that your life post cancer is challenged with a liquid diet. I just want to give you a bear-hug but of course I can't. Good to hear things are getting to a new normal and your attitude is good as well.
Stay with this group and in years to come you might pull someone back from the edge of the cliff. Thanks for the update and glad you are still with the rest of us.
Bill

Hi srm my mom is also in same spot having pain after radiation it’s been 3 months and pain is still , I hope everything is good on your end

I had Squamous Cell Cancer at the base of my tongue.right side-center. I also had cancer in my lymph node, right side of neck. The treatment was 7 weeks of radiation-35 sessions and weekly chemotherapy. I know what you mean when you say pain in the neck. For a period of time it would take me an hour to get a boost down. I remember wishing for the day i could enjoy eating again.
My last treatment was May 5th- It has now been 5 months and yes i have some days of little pain and others of more. I am transitioning into a more "normal " diet yet I have discovered that certain foods agitate my throat and brings back pain. I am learning to experiment. I cannot say i enjoy eating but live in hope that one day i will. A positive of this is a am now at the weight i should be, 48 lbs lighter. My experience so far is to be patient and know that i am so much better than even a month ago. My anticipation is next month I will be even better. I hope you will be too.

I finished 28 radiation treatments for vocal cord cancer. About the middle of the second week of treatments, my esophagus became inflamed. I have been dealing with a sore throat and swallowing difficulties since. Right now, I am able to eat most soft foods, but about a half hour after eating, I get a severe cough. The good news is that the tumor is gone. The bad news it will be a while before the sore throat passes and my voice returns.

Hi @rsedlock1958 and welcome. That’s about par for the course, sore throat and cough. Gargle with warm salt water is usually helpful as I believe the salt is beneficial. Just try to stay in good health as it takes months to heal from radiation damage. Good healing.

I finished my radiation treatments two weeks ago. For several weeks, my throat pain terrible, I had a nasty cough that produced blood and fleshy chunks, and it was most difficult to eat. I also couldn’t speak.

Over the last few days, things improved quite a bit. Believe it or not, it coincides with drinking marshmallow root tea. I am not big on natural remedies and the like, but I can’t ignore the results.
If you are looking to try something out of the box, check your medical team and see if something like that is worth a try.

I think you will find the normal recovery is two steps forward and one step back. Very slow and seemingly endless for a long time. Not like a broken bone or a twisted ankle which heal well because the body is healthy. You are trying to heal in an area that is sick. It will take a lot more time than the optimistic doctors will tell you.
Some of the discussions in this group lately have many good ideas to deal with throat pain and cough. Magic mouthwash (a prescription needed), certain teas, warm saltwater rinse, etc help a lot.
Sending hugs from the www as I know how difficult this all is to deal with. Tough times never last but tough people do.
Or if you want a laugh today, remember all good things have an end. A bratwurst has two.

@samp590, how is your mom doing? Are things improving slowly but surely?