I just started radiation, what kind of side effects should I expect?

@alberth
Reading your post re the baking soda rinse for dry mouth. What quantities do you use please. I had radiation years ago and still suffer from dry mouth.
Best to you!

@planetsunrise
1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 8 oz warm water

I will second an earlier comment, “Avoid feeding tube!” Buy some Very High Calorie Boost, as it’s 530 calories in only 8 ounces. Make yourself get down 3-4 per day, tapioca pudding, ice cream or anything you can to keep those calories up. You might not get an appetite for several months after treatment, so it has to be seen as a challenge! Pat yourself on the back after getting something down, you can really do this! Try many smaller feedings throughout the day or night! I just dreaded when meals were scheduled and even would get anexity as “meal time” approached! It was absolutely the worst time of day!! So keep it brief and don’t sit at the table! You are experiencing something totally normal and something you can overcome! Godspeed!

I loved my feeding tube. Meds, all hydration and formula went in there. My mouth rinse was the standard baking soda...I skipped the salt. I had 35 rounds of radiation. During week 3 I had one mouth sore that lasted 3 days and healed. No other mouth sores. My swallowing was challenge enough due to tongue cancer and reconstruction. Post radiation my taste returned within one week. I figured my mouth had been through enough and was due a rest. So I chose the tube. It worked great for me. I had less pain than most and rapid healing. I never had to take IV hydration. I know others had problems with dehydration. You decide what's best for you. For me a food tube worked out great.

Chiming in here. I was unable to swallow without great pain. I was on 5mg oxy plus tylenol and was still in pain. So I received 2 or 3 IV hydration a week. I drank Kate Farms liquid nutrition as my diet.
If they dont offer hydration, ask for it.

@alberth you have a lot of good suggestions here. Forcing yourself to eat is tough, I know from experience with radiation in 2012. Bland foods and drinks are best because nothing tastes right. Cream of wheat , oatmeal, baby food rice cereal all go down easily. Cottage cheese, blended to remove lumps has lots of protein. I added it to smoothies. I pretty much survived on protein smoothies and shakes the second half of treatment. The chemo was increasing nausea and my medical team kept adding drugs to control it. Perhaps a nausea medication would help you? There was a prescription drug of a chemical derived form of THC like in marijuana called Marinol, another is Cesamet. They stimulate appetite and relieve nausea. I did not like the "spacey" side effect but used it occasionally to help me eat. I know how you feel.....every spoonful is a torture.....but keep trying for that last one. You can survive on protein drinks alone if necessary. I had a favorite with milk, fresh peaches, cottage cheese and a bit of ice cream. I could add some protein powder as well. Keep your blender busy with new ideas but know they just wont taste right.....so find what is tolerable or even pleasant and drink that daily. It will likely start to improve around 3-4 weeks after radiation ends. It is a slow slow process though, with ups and downs. Measure your progress by the week, not the day.

Just cause so many have dry mouth try these things. Ice cubes gum. Has pure xylitol as number one ingredient. Xylimelts are timed released xylitol pill which slowly dissolves in your mouth between cheek and gum. Great for sleeping. Great for long drives etc. salt and baking soda rinses help. I tsp each per 20 oz water. Also I always have water nearby in the mornings black coffee. Stay away from carbonation it’s not your friend. You get used to it. A small sip goes a long way. Good luck.

@alberth drink high protein 530 calories Boost! It gives the most energy from the least amount food and should go down easy. Weight is extremely important and if you continue to not eat three bites you’re going to need a feeding tube. Between four and six boosts a day depending on what your ideal weight is. You can sip it off and on all day. I had trouble eating food at all and boost was essential to my survival.

@56tburd Ten mucha paciencia y fe ponte siempre a disposición de tu oncoradioterapeutico para que el te valla dando las indicaciones que mejor te vayan.
lo mío fue un cáncer de lengua y me dieron mucha radiación y al cabo de unos meses ya empecé a comer todo tipo de alimentos y bebidas (salvo alcohol ) eso si tenia que ser la comida triturada pero al menos me podía alimentar, es impórtate que tomes batidos normoproteicos como refuerzo.

@sandy8043
my doc is wary to remove my G-Tube due to vascular issues.
not a big deal wearing the dang thing.