Hi all I am now nearly 4 weeks post treatment of 30 radio and 6 chemo . I thought by now the swelling in throat or related pain would start to subside a bit. Still taking Morphine 40ml and 2 x paracetamol 4 times per 24 hrs . Is this usual to still be on painkillers at this stage. Also only food is through tube as throat too sore to eat also food tastes disgusting. Mucus bad same as ever so is this a normal state of affairs at this stage. Many thanks for your advice . Alan
I was still taking MST (morphine), paracetamol and ibuprofen continuously at this stage and was still feeling pretty wretched. So yes, I think it’s quite usual. But the good news is that you should be over the worst now and your body is slowly, even imperceptibly, healing. Thinking of you.
Hi Alan as Marc has said it’s not unusual. By week 3 I had started to orally sip ensures 6 a day. My n g tube was taken out so it was a case if needs must. I was on painkillers for at least 10 weeks slowly reducing them do not stop all at once a phased withdrawal when you’re ready It’s a marathon not a sprint Week 1: is usually a good turning point again not hard n fast we are all different. Just remember treatments pretty brutal do recovery takes time. Give thus a read uts an excellent piece written by s cancer df at Leeds cancer centre.
https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf
Hazek
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
Hi Alan. I was on morphine for 12 weeks after. But that was probably too long.I just got into the habit of taking it My oncologist was quite disappointed. So I went home and took a week to reduce the dose to zero but kept on with the paracetamol for another month.
My NG tube came out at 6 weeks because I vomited it up so it stayed out. It took another six weeks before I could eat proper food. I ate a steak but it tasted of nothing.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007