tonsils v swallowing re upcoming radiation treatment

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Hi everyone,

just about to start on my journey so to speak ,just a quickie really had tonsils out recently at the grand old age of 56 as this was what the consultant thought was causing my earache and sore throats however that wasn't the case in the end, but anyhow never mind.

7 weeks of radiation are ahead of me now in the not too distant future and I'm just wondering is the pain re swallowing on a par with the after effects of having your tonsils out..?

the only reason I ask is that I coped quite well with eating straight after the tonsillectomy and the swallowing is one of the things that I am a bit worried about.

By the way have only been a innocent bystander at the moment regards the online community, but totally bowled over by the help and friendliness here and hopefully I will be able to add my journey to the forum and maybe help someone along the way

kind regards

Martin

  • I had radiotherapy only but got severe mucositis into my third week. I had a nasogastric tube in for eight weeks and swallowed little for six of those. Five months after the radio I’m tucking into a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. The swallowing comes back but you’ll be encouraged to keep those muscles working somehow. Morphine sorts the rest out. Don’t be afraid to make sure you get enough. Some people get a Peg feeding tube straight into the stomach. Itdeoends on the hospital regime.  

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi, Martin, I had my tonsils out at the ripe old age of 68, like you I was eating pretty normally soon after and didn't have too much pain swallowing either. After this I had 30 sessions of radiotherapy and 5 chemo's, I was also pretty fortunate that I didn't have a great deal of pain in my throat or when swallowing after my treatment had finished. However eating was a problem due to the fact that everything tasted awful, so I did  rely on the RIG that had been fitted before my treatment had started, I used the RIG for about 10 weeks until I started to eat small amounts of food ie soups, custard yogurts milkshakes and such like. now 19 months on I can now eat most things.

    If you are offered a RIG or a PEG, my advice would be to have it, just in case you need it, some people do and others go along without needing to use it. I always think it is better to have and not use it, than to need it and not have it.

    All the best with you treatment it is doable as many on here have done and are fine including myself, if you need to ask anything just ask away someone will nearly always be able to help, I know many have helped me in the past.

    Regards Ray.

  • Hi,

    many thanks ,awaiting MDT meeting sometime this week and was thinking along those lines regards the PEG and having it fitted given the choice,

    kind regards

    Martin

    Martin
     
    Your life is your life
    don't let it be clubbed into dank submission
    be on the watch
    there are ways out
    there is light somewhere
    it may not be much light,but it beats the darkness
     
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hello...I too am about to start on this journey...no operation but begin radiotherapy on Monday. With some chemo thrown in..I had a PEG fitted two weeks ago which is no problem at all...good luck and here’s to kicking it’s A**!!  x

  • many thanks Ray, had the all clear regards Pet scan and possible spread on Monday so that was a godsend, just need to bring my A game now and get on with it.

    I love my food and the thought of no taste is grim but needs must etc. etc.,

    like you I think having the PEG before hand is the way to go

    kind regards

    Martin

    Martin
     
    Your life is your life
    don't let it be clubbed into dank submission
    be on the watch
    there are ways out
    there is light somewhere
    it may not be much light,but it beats the darkness
     
  • Hi Anna,

    we'll have to compare notes as we soldier on !

    Got MDT this Friday,dont think I'm down for chemo going off what the lovely macmillan lady said but we'll see....

    one of my sons has stepped into the breach regards getting me back and forth to jimmys over at leeds everyday so that's one less thing to worry about I guess.

    Does the PEG feel weird at all,for some reason I've got it in my mind I'm going to feel like Arnie out of Terminator don't know why.....

    anyways Good Luck  !!

    see you on the flip side

    Martin
     
    Your life is your life
    don't let it be clubbed into dank submission
    be on the watch
    there are ways out
    there is light somewhere
    it may not be much light,but it beats the darkness
     
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Totolemar

    Haha... the PEG doesn’t affect me at all...was painfully day after and few days following that but nothing that paracetamol didn’t sort out!.. it’s two weeks in now and no problems at all!..I’m having to travel around 26 miles to Sheffield for treatment..but have a super boyfriend who is at my beck and call ( my words not his lol )...and more than anything he keeps me laughing..even  about this !..keep in touch..and let’s do this!!..x

  • Hi Martin 

    As you've probably gathered from previous posts, every one reacts differently to the radiotherapy so you may be fortunate and not lose your taste.

    I wish you all the best with your upcoming treatment.

    Linda

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi, I am also about to start this journey, only diagnosed today and have an MDT meeting on Monday. Apart from a lump that came up in my neck I had no symptoms at all. Been on a whirlwind journey over the last 5 weeks since my first visit to my GP.

    Kay

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    I was exactly the same...no symptoms at all just lump in my throat..and then the whirlwind began..I still can’t believe I have it..but Monday is the first day of getting rid of it!!!..hope you’re MDT outcome is good...x

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