Getting frustrated with throat pain post radiation

@thomason It is a very difficult situation for the one with the cancer and the one taking care of the person. As the caregiver I try So hard to help him. When his throat is so sore I don’t have anything on board. I’m going to ask Doctor for alternative pain medications because he isn’t able to swallow a pill or crushed pill.A cream, patch, injection, rectal, or non sting nasal pain spray.

@kathleenmkastrup

I’m 4 weeks out and had the same experiences you described, and the same sense of despair. But today I felt a real turning point. I finally noticed a reduction in mouth pain and my throat healed enough to swallow a little “solid” food. Had a jar of baby food yesterday and a banana today!
I think you’re going through the worst part of this; everything piles on. Imagine a better time. Good thoughts your way.

@kathleenmkastrup Two weeks post is usually the bottom. Things should slowly begin to improve from this point. I know how awful this all is and at this point you are likely ready to just surrender.
It does get better, slowly at first. The mouth sores make it difficult to unbearable at times. Courage.

I am 2 weeks past RAI treatment and every day my mouth gets worse. Numbness, new ulcers every day including my lips (Mar-aLago lips), no ability to swallow, can only drink liquids, mouth bleeds every morning when I get up, heavy drooling in my sleep, etc., etc.

If I had ever known how awful, awful, painful and depressing the RAI effects would be, I would not have gone forward with that treatment, asked for something different is that was possible. Or just live with the consequences of the cancer. This is no way to live

If anyone asked me about the RAI treatment, I would definitely advise against it

I tried everything they could throw at me. Just my luck it could be permanent. I'll really be miserable

@roadtecguy you still have a lot of healing left to do. It takes many months to years to get back to your new normal. I hope yours does not include chronic pain. Don't forget that simple stuff, like ice packs, can give temporary relief.

@colleenyoung It went ok. I'm getting used to MRI's. I wish the pain would stop long enough to eat 1 full meal.

Hi,
I had Stage 4 metastatic OPSCC (base of tongue). PEG Tube, 35 radiation treatments and two rounds of Cisplatin. Finished treatment in September 2025. It’s a long road but it does get better though it’s different for everyone. I took me 5 months to get off the feeding tube and I really had to make a conscious effort because I had painful swallowing, lost all taste, and had basically lost any interest in food. I have friends who have been on their feeding tube for over a year, so I am lucky but eating becomes a chore to try and maintain weight and muscle mass. I relied heavily on Ensure Plus Calories to make up most of my daily requirements, but have made progress slowly but surely in increasing my oral intake. Taste comes back slowly, all of a sudden a grilled cheese tastes like a grilled cheese etc. my recommendation is try small amounts of everything and find out what you can tolerate. Slow and steady.

My current fight is that the cancer has gone to my liver. I just had a wedge resection on Friday to remove a growth. Hopefully my next scan will come back clear, but I know that all of us live with the realization that this cancer thing can come back at anytime. I wish all of you happiness and joy in life no matter what this terrible disease throws at you.

@harleytiger
Keep the faith and take it one day at a time. Believe me I know it’s not easy (I’m one month post surgery and radiation) and I see small improvements week to week. Wish I was “back to normal “ yesterday but that’s not realistic and patience is key.
Stay positive mentally, get some exercise and rest when you’re feeling tired…you will get better!

@fobarrett I ordered one and it just didn't work for me. I use soft cloth surgical tape by Medipore.