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Damage to the epoglottic flap from radiation treatments.

Posted by johnmazski @johnmazski, 3 days ago

I had head and neck cancer (tonsil and tongue base) in 2009. Trismus is a issue that I had been working with since then. Back in 2025 the epogolittic flap stopped working as a result of the radiation effect. I was hospitalized and in approx 3 weeks I lost 35 lbs. A G tube was inserted and have had very little by mouth. Some coffee, broth, water. Is there anything that can be done to get that flap back working or is my fate to be on this feeding tube forever?
Any replies will be appreciated. John Maslowski in Arizona

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cskippy | @cskippy | 2 hours ago
In reply to @thomason "@cskippy, what happened nine years later? Everything worked and then the nerve damage appeared? I do..." + (show)
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@cskippy, what happened nine years later? Everything worked and then the nerve damage appeared? I do have trouble swallowing certain foods. Of course, water helps get the food through...usually. So, the radiation has been six years ago for me, and changes are appearing, for sure. Please try the red light.

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@thomason Hello, Back in 2015 /2016 I had tonsil cancer Stage 4, after going through chemo & radiation. I'm cancer free 🙂 Give Glory to our Father. I do have nerve damage from the first time I had radiation. 🙁 my hold body was affected on the 1st radiation treatment. My neurologist explain it to me this way, Your a extension cord the treatment I had went through all my protective layers of the ext. cord and damage the wiring...how I explain it to people so they can understand how i'm feeling this way .. it's like you body is sleeping all the time fleeing, your foot or arm falls asleep and you shake to wake it up, but my body don't wake up. Now after 9 + yrs or so the nerve damage is now affecting my speech, nerves in tongue and the muscle in swallowing. All my doctors are "Baffled" why this is happening now. I will being looking for a red light gadget. When you have time could you please send a picture of what you use? Have a happy day 🙂 I attach my reason results.

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thomason | @thomason | 40 minutes ago
In reply to @cskippy "@thomason Hello, Back in 2015 /2016 I had tonsil cancer Stage 4, after going through chemo..." + (show)
Profile picture for cskippy @cskippy

@thomason Hello, Back in 2015 /2016 I had tonsil cancer Stage 4, after going through chemo & radiation. I'm cancer free 🙂 Give Glory to our Father. I do have nerve damage from the first time I had radiation. 🙁 my hold body was affected on the 1st radiation treatment. My neurologist explain it to me this way, Your a extension cord the treatment I had went through all my protective layers of the ext. cord and damage the wiring...how I explain it to people so they can understand how i'm feeling this way .. it's like you body is sleeping all the time fleeing, your foot or arm falls asleep and you shake to wake it up, but my body don't wake up. Now after 9 + yrs or so the nerve damage is now affecting my speech, nerves in tongue and the muscle in swallowing. All my doctors are "Baffled" why this is happening now. I will being looking for a red light gadget. When you have time could you please send a picture of what you use? Have a happy day 🙂 I attach my reason results.

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@cskippy, thank you, for the reply. Here is the exact wand--I bought two--back when they first came out around 2018:
https://ebay.io/m/gjGxCw
This is a good buy. It is on a timer, so after a few minutes it automatically shuts off. Too much can be damaging, I guess.
Your laryngoscopy and MRI show no lesions, thank God.
If you do decide to try the red-light therapy, please let everyone know if it helps.
My lymphedema under the chin area is hardening. It can no longer be massaged away. The thought of going through more tests makes me physically ill.
I will be praying for an answer for us all.

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