Late effects of radiation to tonsil/tongue

I know you mentioned not liking boost milkshake drinks. There was a point in my radiation treatment when I couldn’t eat anything and had to rely on High Calorie Boost (I bought from Amazon). Which I hated, too. But there isn’t a more concentrated source of nutrition. I mixed it with coffee. Full strength in the morning and decaf late in the day. That made it tolerable and I got through it with losing only 20 pounds. Might be worth a try.

See about tube feeding. You’d get your nutrition. Ninety pounds would be a big red flag and at this point it might be worth talking to the oncology people. Just a suggestion.

I can't swallow either after my surgery and all that radiation. I have a feeding tube that helps me basically stay alive and get my nourishment. I certainly would talk to your doctor to see if you can have help that way.

My cancer was in 2003 and my treatment for stage 4 tonsil cancer was chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation daily for 35 days. The leader of my tumor team of doctors told me that with the radiation if I lived long enough I would have long term side effects and he wasn't lying. His comment, "radiation the gift that keeps on giving." The dry mouth and heavy mucus was and still is constant. Then there was deterioration of jaw bone tissue which made removing molars and causing nerve damage. Eating was difficult as I could no longer chew foods so I had to go to soft foods - then to liquids. This was over time but eventually and then suddenly I began to lose weight as I couldn't get the nutrition or calories needed to sustain myself. The treatments also are responsible for a compromised immune system and I have to be careful not to get any respiratory ailment. In July of 2024 I had a G-tube inserted into my stomach and was still able to eat and drink a little by mouth. But, the main reason though for the G-tube was I had begun to aspirate and had several bouts of pneumonia needing hospitalization. As of February 2026 I am NPO (nothing by mouth). I have lost the ability to swallow. The good part about all of this is that I am still alive and since getting proper nutrition through the G-tube I am healthy and happy. Do I miss eating? Not really because I know what could happen if I do and it hasn't diminished my love of cooking and baking for others. In fact, it's one of the activities I can still enjoy. My health is probably better now than it has been for 5 years. I have difficulty gaining weight - but am holding not losing. Without the G-tube I wouldn't have been here to write this. I hope you find my story helpful. Take care.

@omaest
hi ... good that you were told about these 'late effects of radiation'!!
I was not told of these late effects of radiation (but, believe if I were told then, I would have gone along with radiation and chemo - I would not have the time, knowledge and energy research these late effects of radiation).
I had my nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in 2006, and -- I started having speech issue in mid 2020, and effects keeps piling up, bit by bit!! Now I am with: hearing disability - this was at the very start of treatment, speech issues - blurry and not able to form words properly, swallowing issues - food tends to get stuck in throat with muscles not working, severe neck fibrosis, drooling, numbness in jaw and lower lip, and now lately - with misaligned vision!
I am trying to avoid the feeding tube - so doing my best to cut up my food into small bites and pieces, and tend to be on my own and avoid eating in public or with friends - a complete change in life!!
For time being - am still ok - i.e. maintaining my weight!!
Also, glad that you are ok with your G-tube!!

I have a lot of radiation that cured my first cancer at the base of my tongue. I do not remember being warned about losing my ability to swallow. 100% feeding now.
For those who have thickening mucus it may be coming from your gut, not down form your nasal cavity.
I have been reading in Chinese medicine about "Dampness". I have started adding powered Ginger to my formula to improve digestion. There is a caution about using with blood thinners and ginger! I do add 1 baby aspirin to 1 of my daily meals. I do not have the recommended dosage. Currently 0.5 grams per meal.

@josk I resisted the G-tube too for an entire year - but when a doctor told me I was to frail to fight off infections - pneumonia, etc. I went ahead with it. I'm not pushing you toward one or recommending against it because I feel everyone has a different situation. I will only tell you my experiences and they have been for the most part very good. I can eat/feed in public but rarely do because I want to avoid catching a disease. So it's not just restaurants that I avoid - any crowd gatherings or places where I would have to talk a lot. I've had invited friends over for dinner, lunch, etc. I just feed myself while everyone else is chowing down. I'm more comfortable with the tube than when I had to deal with regular food hoping not to choke or cough, etc. Anyway, I wish you the best - it's not easy. Take care.