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Throat Radiation After-Effects, Aspiration & Suffocating Mucous
I am a 61-year-old woman that finished the last of 35 radiation treatments last March 2020. Since then, I have had pneumonia and other lung infections which was finally attributed to aspiration of solids and liquids after a barium swallow test. In that regard, I had a feeding tube inserted hoping that would be the beginning of lung healing, although this is not the case. It has been horrible, with shortness of breath, and at times rushing to the ER because I could not catch a breath. All this time I have been on one antibiotic after another, going on 6 months now! The last two months have been Doxycycline 100 mg. twice per day. Obviously the feeding tube has not stopped the feeling of having constant Bronchitis and if I stop taking the Doxycycline, within two days the substance in my lungs begins turning in consistency to that of super-glue. I had a bronchoscopy done 10/2020, which found heavy e-coli in my lungs, and a sputum test revealed "MRSA" and "Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia." The pulmonologist and Infectious Disease doctors have both denied me any more antibiotics, and I understand their concerns, yet, they have no suggestions for me.
As I sit here, it is 3:00 a.m., and I can not sleep due to the gunk in my lungs making it hard to breath. If I quit taking the Doxycycline, I will be hospitalized within 2-days time, or at the Emergency Room again, in terms of not being able to clear the mucous and breathe. I have to go to urgent-care about once-per-month to have the antibiotics, and that doctor feels I should be on them until (if) this subsides.
I feel as if no-one cares about this condition, or, they know what it is but do not want to admit the truth that the radiation caused this. It must be aspiration causing this lung condition, as there was nothing wrong with my lungs before having radiation for cancer of the Pyriform Sinus (part of throat). The cancer is supposedly gone now, and I am thankful for that. I was a fitness nut, that exercised and ate a healthy greens diet, plus a non-smoker.
I asked the pulmonologist nurse before Thanksgiving what I am supposed to do with no antibiotics..."just die?" She laughed at that statement. Yet, they offered no alternative, or help. My ENT Doctor scopes me approximately every 3 months, and claims my throat is still extremely swollen, yet the swelling is subsiding very slowly. For 8 months I could only whisper, but now have my voice back. The ENT said he can finally see my vocal cords, but this thick mucous problem goes on. If you put your fingers on the depressed area of your throat--by the Trachea--that is the area where the mucous seems to be lodged. Again, as long as I am on antibiotics, the thick mucous can be coughed up with the help of a nebulizer of 7% saline. If I am not on antibiotics, the mucous turns into a cement-like substance, whereupon nothing will dislodge it. The hospital gave me IV antibiotics twice, which began clearing it up rather fast.
By the way, I have been to two Pulmonologists, and both are stumped. They both prescribed many different inhalers--Albuterol, Symbicort--others, and if this is any clue, these inhalers make my throat worse. In fact, the last time I used the albuterol was in desperation, and it almost closed up my throat totally. The second-opinion Pulmonologist described that reaction as "very interesting." Currently, not taking solids or liquids by mouth, in hopes this will go away.
Sorry to write all that! This has been submitted hoping someone will instruct me as to where to go from here? Another ENT, or another Pulmonologist?
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I had my surgery in Feb 2O21. Surgery went fine but that night I aspirated and ended up in ICU for 7 weeks. Long story. BUT I'm still here. You have been through so much. You must be tough! All I can say is be positive, day by day. Message me if you wish. Take care!
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2 Reactions@melanchete, Glutathione is often discussed in the infectious lung condition group called MAC & Bronchiectasis.
- Glutathione: What dosage do you use? Where do you get it? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mac-abscessus-bronchiectasis-and-aspergillus-glutathione/
Here is journal article with more information:
- The Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Respiratory-Related Conditions with Inhaled (Nebulized or Aerosolized) Glutathione https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2249747/
Hello, @jessskoldal, @melanchete, I am the "anonymous217382" and wrote the "Throat Radiation After-Effects, Aspiration & Suffocating Mucous," dated January 27, 2021. Update: Alot has changed since that post, and those changes are explained in numerous posts. These are located in the "Lung Health" group. This is because people asked questions about throat mucus in that particular group...I never really looked to see which group was posting, I just answered! Since that post of almost two years ago, the doctors performed a tracheotomy. It was found my vocal cords were paralyzed, the cause of all my woes (well, some of them!). This operation has been a lifesaver. I had to do many exercises (prescribed by therapist) of the throat muscles to get my voice back, and the ability to eat and drink. It took a good year. The lymphedema gets worse if the tracheotomy neck-strap is too tight, or any kind of constricting-type irritation to that area. For instance, a humidifier which requires a strap around neck...a big no-no. Also, red-light therapy has greatly helped with the mucus, and the lymphedema. It is just a small wand I bought for about $10.00. In addition, an electric "Kneading Neck Massager" works well to relieve the lymphedema in the neck area. Please give it time, for that seems to be the one thing that helps the most. I wish you all the best.
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2 ReactionsNovember 2019 I was (prebiopsy) diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. The first ENT had an ego large than life and crappy bedside manners, but subjected me to 8 hours on the table at a failed biopsy. Then says that he was unsuccessful due to not having updated equipment... So scheduled with his associate this time about 9 hours on the table (New Years Eve @ the Cleveland Clinic. Everyone was there even, the pathology department. They verified that it was HPV positive, which set the treatment regimen. The radiation and chemo got me prepped for treatment by having a feeding tube installed, but no port for infusions. Eight and a half weeks left me with the worst case of head and neck lymphedema that the oncologist had seen in 15 years... (none of the oncologists could be found on my first lymphatic blow out (neck was as large as my head)). The ER wanted to perform a tracheotomy (about every hour), I have to use a lymphatic suit/pump 2 to 3 times a day. It is a battle every day... and I have a autoimmune disorder (post cancer treatment) Salivary glands and lymph glands (right side) head and neck are toast. I battle with thick and ropey mucous 24/7/365. I have tried everything... no changes... I was checking out a video blog
where Dr. Jin Sung is a Chiropractic Physician who specializes in the management of complex chronic conditions. He is located in Massachusetts. He talks about the use of a nebulizer Nebulized L-Glutathione Plus-Reduced. Here is the link to the video: youtu.be/NJ1AczJ7EUk
I have discussed this with my GP/PCP and she seemed to be very open to the treatment and I have a script for the nebulizer and waiting for insurance (Medicare) to approve (if coded properly.) The Glutathione reduced is available OTC. Glutathione works to breakup the mucous. I a disabled, so I have nothing to lose. 1 mile view...
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1 ReactionMy condition is not nearly as serious as yours, but I'd say you're right in thinking that this problem you're having was ultimately caused by the radiation. I also had radiation on my neck as well as my head and I have difficulty with swallowing even now that I'm 12 weeks out from treatment. I have to be very mindful when eating or drinking. It's like I can't control where my food and liquids go and they'll frequently go down the wrong way. Fortunately, my cough is strong enough to bring it back up, but it's still probably dumb luck that I haven't had pneumonia yet. This is definitely something no one warned me about it and when I mention it to my oncologist he kind of just bypasses it. I don't know if this is just a theme with oncologists not wanting to admit that their treatments can cause dangerous side effects, but mine also would not admit that the brain swelling I experienced halfway through treatment was caused by the radiation. Even after all other possible causes were ruled out he still would not take responsibility for it.
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1 ReactionKitty, please join the conversations in the Lung Cancer group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/
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4 ReactionsI am not very techie . I have a tumor in my lung . I completed radiation/chemo last week . Now I’m on chemo every 2 weeks . I was intebuted and woke Christmas Eve . I am just looking for support . Thank you so much .
Kitty
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1 Reaction@kit621, welcome. Your first reply worked perfectly. Tell us a bit about yourself.
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1 ReactionMy first reply , I hoe this is working ! Are you better now ?
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1 ReactionThanks Jennifer!