After effects of Radiotherapy and chemo

TWK said:

, but shouldn’t his symptoms be improving, not getting more painful.

Hi. Not necessarily. Things will be up and down. I was on morphine till I started reducing at 12 weeks. 
Is he maintaining analgesia? Is he being too adventurous with food? 

I had chemoradiotherapy for stage 3 tonsil and neck cancer, takes a long time for pain levels to ease off (for most), I was on slow release morphine tablets, Oramorph and Difflam rinse, still had the odd oral cavity pain episode up until a year after finishing CRT, even beyond that some worrying sore throats, nothing came of them.

Oncology were kept informed, they had seen it all before and were quite happy with my progress, 3 monthly checks were all satisfactory, now being reviewed every 6 months.

We have been through the mill physically and mentally, patients and carers, anxiety, unfortunately, is part of our new normal.

My husband like you did pretty well throughout his treatment and also was up and down with his recovery.  I was getting discouraged for him.  His throat pain worsened and it felt like things would never improve.  He is now 17 weeks post recovery and things have really improved.  He is no longer on any pain meds and is eating a variety of foods.  Spicy foods still bother him and he continues to have dry mouth and lots of mucus. It's tough to be patient, but hopefully other people's stories will give you hope!!  My husband used saline to help with the stuffy cold like symptoms. Hang in there! Recovery takes time.

Hi,

Firstly, I'm not a professional so I can only comment on my experience. I did have an after care team who I saw regularly after treatment, I don't know if your partner has this, mine were very good.

From my experience recovery takes time, a lot of time.  I had stage 4 tonsil as there was a spread to the hip. I was originally told I had probably a year. I am now 3.5 years clear. I have had so many pain killers, so much mucus and many scares since. I also had a nebuliser from the hospital and used a saline solution to help with the mucus. I still have very dry mouth and have been told that I always will, I also have a lot of mucus still. But, things improve, if slowly. I know it is very hard and scary and definitely not a straight line of recovery. I also know it's easy to say but if you can stay positive and calm. I got counselling via MacMillan which was helpful too. Again I don't know your partner but we went for a walk every day and then bigger day walks as I got better I found it really help.