Pain relief for radiation to throat

Are your team aware? what might they come up with?

I think you should have a chat with them. Get RT to set that up next time you go? 
Morphine Codeine Oxycodone Tramadol and Fentanyl are the common drugs but they are all opiates. 
I recall that a few people have managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen alone. ? 

Let us know what your team suggest? 
I hope you get something to help you. Fingers crossed. 

Yes, do have a chat with your team and hopefully they can help. I found mine a huge source of information and their guidance kept me positive too. I managed with just paracetemol, and actually only took that, because my Macmillan nurse said it was good to help with inflammation-so I did. Then again, mine was perhaps tonsil cancer (they never found the primary), so it might be different for you, I do hope not.

Oh Piya10, that’s so good to hear! I have to avoid all the opiates. Brilliant you got by on Paracetamol; really encouraging! ️

Hi, I know everyone is different but yes, generally I worked with 4-8 paracetamol per day, with the occasional ibuprofen before meals. I generally don’t take pin relief in normal life (I’m fortunate - don’t get headaches etc) and I was finding regular pain relief made me wake up groggy - like having a hangover. So I only took the paracetamol from week 3 to week 8 (of 6 week IMRT). It won’t work for everyone I guess, but at least we know it’s possible to avoid the opiates. 

Trickcyling, thanks so much. That’s reassuring. Very grateful for your reply.

Hi dispersible aspirin for gargling can help especially prior to eating , also a suspension called  with lidocaine  I seem to remember for numbing Throat 20 mins before eating  helped. Good luck and baby steps , I used paracetamol  ibuprofen for first 3 weeks , do know of quite a few who managed paracetamols all way through

Hazel x

I've not been in radiotherapy but have had to operations down my throat with intense pain.  Personally, for me, I found paracetamol really effective.  The issue was I needed more than the allowed doses per day.  Oramorph does nothing for me so I binned that early on.  Tramadol had an effect, but as others have said its of the same family as morphine so may not be suitable.  I found my clinical team really good to talk to and helpful in finding a solution.