Will I be able to eat again after radiation to my neck and head?

Lots of us in the Head and Neck Cancer group have been where you are. I'm 2 1/2 years out and still struggle. Last night I ate French fries. It took forever. And a huge glass of water. But I did it! Salad greens are still a no go. I'm a gardener who has always grown a variety of beautiful greens. So I keep at it. Get over on the H and N group. Lots of good folks there. It gets better.

Oh my god !
Thank you for your response ! The radiologist did tell me it could take two years . At present I can’t eat anything , so sick to my stomach .
When have the time , what is the H and N group ?

@ernierogersquamus123, welcome. I moved your question to the Head & Neck Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/

I encourage you to browse recent discussions. You can also use the group search bar to find topics related to your questons.

@ernierogersquamus123
Got it , Head and Neck group .

@sandy8043 Good afternoon ,
Were you ever offered medication to at least help you feel a little better during your 2 year life of side effects ?

@sandy8043
Hello Sandy I am two years out of treatment and still struggling to eat.
I am still some reliant on a feeding tube.
I can eat most everything. Believe it crunchy foods are much better for me than soft foods such as mash potatoes.
It feels lime cement in my throat.
Yes French fries works well.
However my beloved veggies are still a no go. I ambromen by this. Like yourself I too grew my veggies.
Anyway it will get better slowly.
Eating is exhausting and no longer fun but we need to keep pushing. You will get there.
Be gentle with yourself.

Amazing , keep up the good work !
I wish I was where you are in your eating journey .
I am so sick to my stomach every minute of every day eating like that is impossible .

Hello @ernieogersquamus123,
After the usual radiation treatment for a cancerous throat tumor, it took one full year of almost constant throat exercises to regain my swallow function. Also, waving a red-light wand inside and outside throat area seemed to speed things up. My last radiation treatment was in April 2020. If you are interested, the background story is on my profile. Also, the swallow studies are extremely valuable in determining your progress. They will keep you motivated.
When the feeding tube fell out after 3 months, the doctor wanted it reinserted. At that point, I was getting some soft food down and refused to have it put back. The throat exercises are like boot-camp for the throat. Work it, work it and then work it some more. It will pay off eventually. I had a wonderful therapist. She not only prescribed the exercises she kept on me like a drill sergeant (in a good way!). One day, she brought me a small plate of an Italian dish, as my appointments were next to the cafeteria in a hospital. She sat and watched me struggle, but for the first time I managed to eat it all...and it was the best I have ever tasted. God bless you Dana.
If you are able to swallow anything at all, this proves your epiglottitis is not fused to your throat, like some poor souls. Best Wishes to you.

Thank you for your help and support .i do throat exercises but not as much as I should . Most of the exercise comes from sipping water or tea .
My biggest issue is the fact that I am nauseous and even think of eating makes me sick . I’m amazed at how soon some patients lose their feeding tube .
Thanks for sharing .

@thomason
Can you describe some of the swallowing exercises ?