Week 4 radiotherapy absolutely no appetite

Much as you don't want an NG tube possibly the best advice is to have one and use it. 

Hi Honor, 

I had TORS, neck dissection and 6 weeks radiotherapy. At around week 4 or 5 I started feeling quite nauseous. I spoke with the Consultant Radiographer at my weekly review who suspected a nerve in my neck may be being hit by the radiotherapy beam and getting irritated causing the nausea. I think he said the Vagus nerve but I may be wrong on that. I was prescribed Ondansetron which stopped the nausea but caused constipation which felt worse than the nausea. They sorted the constipation out with Laxido sachets and a suppository and prescribed me a different anti nausea med, which I think I took one of, but by that time I'd reached the end of the radiotherapy and the nausea went away.

Hi Honor. An nasogastric (NG) tube is essential for getting enough nutrition to help you through your treatment and recovery when you cannot eat enough by mouth. You really do need to reconsider it.

Ray

Thank you Juliosaurus I’m sure that is what is happening to me. The Vegas nerve makes sense. Especially as it’s already been upset by the neck dissection surgery, forcing myself to eat with nausea is an effort but I’m doing it. Will ask tomorrow about anti sickness meds as at the moment it’s all doable apart from the nausea. 

Hi Honor. Week 4 is when all the side effects start to lock in so it does get harder for a while. I was not offered and NG tube as my radiotherapy was not aimed at my throat area. In spite of that I found eating incredibly difficult and painful, my mouth was so sore from all the ulcers although I did not have nausea.I had the constipation issue as well from the meds. It was really hard to eat even with smoothies.  I ended up losing 10  k.g and it took a long time to get the weight back on after I had finished the radiotherapy. I would definitely had the NG tube if I had been offered it. 

Lyn

Hi Honor 

I didn't have any ulcers or pain inside of my mouth (radiation to neck - 33 sessions finished in June).

But...in the middle of week 6 I lost all interest in food and drink. Literally no interest whatsoever, I couldn't force myself to take anything in. And if it wasn't for dietician referral to cancer ward and NG tube insertion I would have been extremely poorly. I was already very malnutritioned by the time I was admitted to hospital and fitted with NG tube.

Lost 3 stone in 2 months.

NG tube is not as scary as some imagine. It took the nurse 30 seconds to insert it. She showed me once how to feed myself and I've done it for few weeks. Removal took 3 seconds.

If I could choose I would also not have NG tube. But my physical and mental state was very poor then, and NG tube was necessary to literally keep me alive. 

I must mention that I took all my meds by mouth throughout the time I've had NG tube.

I wanted my throat to work. Most of the meds were liquids but some small tablets and capsules I also managed to take by mouth. 

I hope you will get through it without the need for a tube, but if you cannot, do not treat it as defeat. It's a tool on your road to recovery. Not a defeat. 

All the best. 

Izzy. 

My ng tube was my lifesaver it enabled me to makes a great recovery as well . I treated it as part if the treatment mine was fitted end of week 3. If I’m honest I won’t get easier it will progress if you’re struggling now please consider it. My ng  tube was in for 6 weeks in total . By then I could orally swallow the ensure drinks. 
Treatnent is hard enough don’t make ur even harder there’s no shame in having a feeding tube. 

kero doing swallow and jaw exercises they are for life I do mine several times a day. I’m 8 years post. 
Hugs 

Hazel 

Hi Hazel 

Thank you for your reply I’ve now started anti-sickness meds and new reflux meds which has helped my appetite return. I was weighed at the end of week 4 review today and have managed to maintain my weight so they said carry on as I am and they are really pleased. The swallowing is really good compared the  surgery pain.  Should my situation change I wouldn’t let my health deteriorate and if an NG was suggested I would put myself in their hands. 

Hi Honor, I spent 17 days in hospital with dehydration, malnutrition and opioid induced constipation, and many on here may remember the nightmare I went through... get the tube, get the nutrients in, and do everything you can to avoid going into hospital.. a tube and pump for overnight feeds really is a no brainer..