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Getting frustrated with throat pain post radiation

Posted by srm @srm, Nov 26, 2021

Now 5 months post radiation. 33 treatments of targeted radiation plus chemo therapy for my stage 3 Metastatic Squamish Cell Carcinoma back of tongue R/S. A few weeks ago my throat pain was subsiding enough whereas I finally started eating soft foods with some good success. This week the pain increased to where I have had to go back on liquids. The pain is either on the left side, right side or back of throat. Sometimes the entire throat hurts like strep. The pain is always present but is really bad when I swallow something. Seems to be 2 steps forward and a few back. My oncologist claims that the pain will eventually go away but cannot provide any kind of time frame. Has anyone with similar treatment experienced throat pain for an extended period post radiation? If so, how long did it last? I was getting really excited and optimistic for a couple of weeks while eating very saucy soft foods. I was finally making progress and then things just got worse again. Nobody said this was going to be easy but it gets discouraging when I appear to be making progress just to fall back again.

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William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | 1 day ago
In reply to @kathleenmkastrup "I am 2 weeks past RAI treatment and every day my mouth gets worse. Numbness, new..." + (show)
Profile picture for kathleenmkastrup @kathleenmkastrup

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

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@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.

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tbveblen | @tbveblen | 9 hours ago
In reply to @kathleenmkastrup "I am 2 weeks past RAI treatment and every day my mouth gets worse. Numbness, new..." + (show)
Profile picture for kathleenmkastrup @kathleenmkastrup

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

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@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.

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jimmydeb123 | @jimmydeb123 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @thomason "Dear @henrytimmins, I suffered from esophageal (Pyriform Sinus) cancer and proceeded with the 33 radiation treatments...." + (show)
Profile picture for thomason @thomason

Dear @henrytimmins, I suffered from esophageal (Pyriform Sinus) cancer and proceeded with the 33 radiation treatments. Before going, I tried every type of health regimen I could find...to no avail. Please, do not wait much longer. Starving the cancer does not work, neither does the Baking Soda & Molasses (I still shiver remembering drinking that horrible regimen), or the animal de-wormer, Fenbendazole. While I played around with all these so-called "cures," the cancer was growing. If I can make it through, so can you! This is life or death. Yes, there are many complications from the radiation, but everyone is different. The bottom line is having life. I know without a doubt I would be long dead if I had not gone through with the radiation, as the pain was getting unbearable. The chances of Chemotherapy helping me would have been a 2% increase, with many side-effects. I chose to forgo the Chemotherapy, and God-willing, am cancer-free. It is going on two years now since the treatments. If you have any questions, please message this page. God will see you through.

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@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.

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