Swelling throat restricting breathing?

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Hi all

I’ve just completed my first of six weeks of radiotherapy for HPV+ tumour on right tonsil. I hated it at first (mask/claustrophobia), but I was really pleased how quickly I was getting used to it, then…

I noticed after 3 or 4 days, my throat beginning to get more sore. No surprise, I thought. I wasn’t too concerned until I woke up on the 4th day finding my breathing somewhat restricted when laying on my back. On my 5th day of radiotherapy, I noticed my breathing starting to get restricted as I came to the end of the session. Nothing major, but it did freak me out a little.

Now, over the weekend, I’m finding that, by morning, I am literally unable to breathe while laying on my back. My wife expressed some concern over the noises I was making in the night too.

I seem to be fine during the day but, when laying down, it’s a problem.

This is beginning to properly freak me out now as I have my 6th session tomorrow and I have a real concern about how it’s going to go as I was only just beginning to get over the whole mask-wearing thing.

Has anyone else had similar problem?

Many thanks

Brian

  • Hi Brian I ended sleeping almost uprights the build up of mucus could well be starting. I think by end if treatment I was surrounded by 6 pillows. I also decamped to spare bedroom many reasons, one was ti give my husband chance tk sleep as I was up and down  as treatment progresses. Plus it gave me space if I couldn’t sleep I could read etc some have thise wedge shaped  pillows to help with sleeping position. I also had a humidifier in bedroom. If you’ve central heating on that could irritate your throat as well   Well done on mask just treat it as a lifesaver. Are you drinking enough water as well. I dipped I the night you get used to drinking water without breaking sleep as time goes by. Plus just mention to your team today 

    Hazel 

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Hi Brian

    Have a word with the radiographers when you go today.

    Hazel's made some good suggestions about sleeping in a slightly more raised position , humidifier etc.

    Good luck.

    Linda x

  • I found the best way to sleep more upright is to throw the wedge pillow that I started with away as I kept simply slipping down it and to use first one pillow then another at right angles (so that your bottom sits on it) then another crossways as the first on top. You can buy long wedge pillows that achieve the same thing but they are expensive v

    Dani 

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

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