Swallow reflex

Hi are you doing your swallow exercises and jaw exercises I approaching 7 years and still do them several times a day they are 2 nd nature now. We have to do them for rest if our life’s to maintain a good swallow I was told. It does take time and sometime it’s 2 steps forward and one step back. If you are concerned contact your cns I was told I would be seen inbetween appointments if need be. 
The hard swallow one is a good one to maintain swallow control

best wishes 

Hazel 

Hi Bigped1610 

Welcome

My golden rule has always been to contact my team over any worry. It may be just healing but if it’s more serious, fibrosis springs to mind, the sooner it’s resolved the better 

Are you doing your swallowing exercises? 

Thanks Hazel. Yes, when I noticed things were deteriorating regarding my swallow I did start doing some exercises, but perhaps you're right and I should simply make them a daily routine. I wasn't told this, and so presumed that once treatment was over and I felt things were getting back to normal I didn't need to do them anymore. Obviously not the case. Thanks again. 

Hi yes  we need to continue doing them for life, I used to do them in the car in the bath whilst peeling veg anywhere at least 6 times a day.  My swallow has remained strong.
Also our thyroid needs checking annually as we are susceptible to hypothyroidism which is treatable. I’ll pop a new post on reminding peopl

Hazel 

RadioactiveRaz said:

I used to do them in the car in the bath whilst peeling veg anywhere at least 6 times a day

Crikey! You are good. Once a day for me. Mind you I try to swallow food without chasing it down with a drink and that’s like a forceful swallow. 

Hi don’t do them thar many tune now a sat. But yes like you no longer chase food down with a drink. Back in the early days never thought that would happen. Just to give hope to everyone out there it does improve. 

Hazel 

My swallowing ability goes up and down like a yo-yo.  I will now following Hazel and Dani’s advice start doing the exercises again.  I wasn’t told that the exercises were for life not just for Christmas.  I dream of the day when swallowing becomes a reflex again and doesn’t require so much conscious effort!

Liz

Hi Liz. There’s nothing joined up about our experience with  head and neck cancers trusts have so many differences.

But I remember my dietician and salt team along with oncology stressing that the exercises are for life.

I too never thought I would swallow without water or a warm drink chasing food down. Likewise in early years never thought I could go out without my trusty water bottle but I can. In fact some days I know don’t drink enough z!!Yes restart the exercises it will return. 

hugs 

Hazel 

Hi Liz111 

The essence of the problem is fibrosis or scarring. RT has the potential to cause that wherever the X-rays hit. The way to avoid it is to stretch. I do neck stretches too