Anyone dealing with painful throat after radiation?

I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. It isn't a pleasant experience at all. They don't focus on the discomfort you'll experience after radiation, just that you are trying to survive a deadly disease. Thus, they don't warn you about what is coming, and it can be brutal. However, for most, recovery brings relief. 20 years later, and I've become accustomed to the changes that were permanent. The sensitivity diminished to a tolerable level, and I can enjoy most foods, though they aren't as intense. Give it time to heal. You've been through a lot. Good luck!

Magic mouthwash was the only thing that helped my burning throat. Do that about every 3-4 hours and try something soft shortly after. Try pudding, ramen noodles lukewarm, Very High Calorie Boost ( I liked only slightly chilled). Doesn’t matter what you get down, just get the calories! I was down to last couple pounds but no feeding tube. It’s just one more thing to avoid if possible. Sorry, but not much will taste either good or like it used to for awhile. Treat each drink or pudding like an obstacle to overcome, you can do it! It’s baby steps right now!

@kamrin This is the worst time after radiation when irradiated tissues need to heal. Speak with your medical team about Saline mouthwash or Magic Mouthwash or Lidocaine gel, using this immediately before trying to drink something or swallow soft food. I survived on smoothies that were cool, not iced. Lukewarm tea with lots of honey was OK. Bland cereal like cream of wheat made very thin could be swallowed. An ice pack on your neck for 10 minutes prior to trying to swallow may help. There are lots of high protein Boost and Ensure shakes available. Keep trying and be strong. IT does get better.

Ive tried the boost but they make my mucus worse. Im a foodie so this is extremely difficult as it must be for others too.

@kamrin
The Ensure shakes are thinner than Boost in my opinion.

Which flavour? I tried the clear and vanilla tastes vile.

Strawberry has been my go to flavor for the last 18 months, it also helped immensely during rehab from throat cancer early 2024.

@kamrin Me too. Cooking is my top hobby. The loss of taste was the worst side effect (constant gagging on phlegm a close second).

It does get better though. I’m about four months out from treatment and taste is about 70% of normal.

I couldn’t stand the protein shakes like Ensure. Instead I drank bone broths, miso and Better Than Boullion with lots of added protein powder and butter. Less viscous and the savory flavors came through just enough. You might try that.

Hang in there!