Are there ways to help me swallow better?

God bless you! Just a thought, ok? Have you been treated for dry mouth? A lot of medication can cause this. Also, have you seen a gastroenterologist to see if your esophagus needs dilaton? It's a simple procedure and it helps tremendously if food will not go down. I had it done and it did wonders for me. If I'm off base with your problem, I apologize.

Speech therapists (speech and swallow) deal with this. Get a referral from your doc. I would do this before a GI or neuro consult.

To this day since I have finished treatment in November I can't find ways to eat bread. My mouth is already dry and I can't swallow bread. I have tried everything I know even sips of liquid with each bite, I make no Sylvia so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know thanks

I have trouble with bread also. What was your treatment and what was it for?

Welcome @mark1961. I moved your questions about dry mouth and eating to the Head & Neck Cancers support group. I did this so you can connect with helpful members like @hrhwilliam @ascc17 @mojo244 @ltecato @thomason who have had treatments for head and neck cancers.

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Saliva and dry mouth https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/saliva-and-dry-mouth/

I agree with @windyshores that a speech pathologist can be helpful.

Mark, what type of cancer were you treated for? Did you just finish radiation?

Mark1961, I am so sorry when I replied back as I did not know that you had battled cancer. Praying for you. God Bless!

Radiation and chemo for throat cancer

Throat cancer and tonsil cancer finished treatment in November of last year

Hey Mark,
I’m 6.5 years out from treatments.
As for saliva, I have none and appears that I never will.
I have tried prescription, mouth rinse, 3M spray, Xylitol and none help and also creates a gummy like substance to my mouth.
I drink water all day long and carry a water with me while outside.
I have a hard time carrying on conversations due to the extreme dryness.
I brush my teeth several times per day and also apply prescription fluoride toothpaste at least 3 times per day.
Eating bread was completely out of my diet up until about a year ago.
Bread is still extremely difficult but small bites can be washed down with liquid.
But actually, I wish I would have left bread right out of my diet because we don’t need it and it seems to make my joints ache.
I was only able to eat oatmeal for the first year but I survived.
As far as speech therapy, I found it to be a waste of time and money!
Just remember that everyone responds differently and you may start eating soon!
Best wishes

MOJO

Thank you, I eat pretty good I found lots of stuff to eat just no bread and I love my sandwiches, I still have a real raspy voice sound like a frog but I'm blessed to be alive just looking for answer thank you so much for the information