Problem with eating red meat

I wish I did Essexboy but like you, I can't eat red meat or any other meat.  Partly I think due to saliva but also I can't push certain foods passed the scar tissue 'ledge' that's formed as a result of the robotic surgery to the base of my tongue.   Oh, and the taste of meat just isn't conducive to me wanting to eat it.  I know other people are able to eat meat though so I'm sure you'll get some helpful suggestions.

Really glad to hear you're doing well.

Linda x

Hi Essexboy

For me long slow cooked beef with lots of gravy or very rare steak are easier to eat. 
Try taking a tiny sip of something warm ( tea or simply water) with each mouthful of food to act as saliva. Then a tiny bit extra to swallow if you need it. 
As far as saliva goes I’m a great believer in stimulating what salivary function you do have. I am two years out of RT like you for base of tongue cancer. I had treatment to both sides but one parotid was spared. I have acupuncture which makes a significant difference and I keep my saliva going by chewing xylitol gum 

Thanks  Linda, I think, like you, part of the problem is not being able to swallow anything other than very small pieces seem to stick around the area of scar tissue, Probably have to accept that red meat eating is never going to be easy,

I hope you are keeping well and coping with the lockdown.

Keith x 

Did you have robotic surgery too?

Linda x

Thanks Dani. I can also manage slow cooked meat , I find lamb easier than beef for some reason. 

Unfortunately I tend to aspirate quite a lot so drink during eating is a problem. I do drink a little during eating but have to be very careful. 

I will look at acupuncture, how often do you have it? Also will try the gum, I do use the melts at night to help with my dry mouth.

Thanks once again, take care.

Keith

No , no surgery just 35 radiotherapy sessions and 3 chemo. They said surgery was not an option as the cancer was at the very base of the tongue. The damage to the nerves etc from the cancer and the damage from the radiotherapy means my muscles at the back of my throat are not working properly . This also means I often aspirate so drinking during a meal is not really an option. I think keeping up with the various neck/throat exercises to help strengthen the muscles may be the only route.

Keith x

Hi Keith

So sorry you've been left with that much damage and I guess there may be some radiation fibrosis there.

Maybe next time you have a F2F you could get them to look with a scope? Exercises were the bane of my recovery but worth persevering with. Even at two years, contrary to what the medics tell you, we still get noticeable improvements

I have my acupuncture once a month. If you want to try it there's a post in my blog with pictures.

Yes, xylimelts are a nightly godsend 

Hi Keith 

thus is Hazel I am now 30 month post treatment for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes 35 radiotherapy snd 2 out of planned 3 chemo. Red meat I have to agree is the hardest but as Dani says I too had acupuncture from 9 months onwards snd I feel it did help my saliva  I had 8 sessions spaced aiart over a 8 month period.I had to pay for the sessions done hospitals do offer them. I am still noticing little improvement s in the last 3-4 weeks chicken is becoming easier to swallow. Lamb is also my favourite it’s the fat content in lamb that really helps. I find fish ok as well salmon or fish in batter. 
hope this helps you 

I also still use xyimelts think we need shares in them ! Kerp in touch 

Hazel 

Hi essexboyi 

I had tonsil, tongue and lymph node cancer..2 years ago...I struggle with chicken which takes me. An age to eat...I find that I need loads of gravy or the meat needs to be very tender for me to eat normally...it used to bother me but now I just take a bit longer to o finish a meal....good luck

Chas

Hiya

To echo what the others have said, red meat is the toughest thing for me to eat, unless its been slow cooked in a stew or minced.

I use a little water but appreciate that is not too easy for you if you aspirate, sorry to hear that.

One thing that did strike me is the dietitians advised me that i should do the exercises 'for life' - perhaps you could get some more function through strengthening exercises? it may be worth looking at

Trev