Throat stretching/ oesophageal dilation

There are a couple of posts here

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/search?q=Oesophageal%20dilatation#serpq=Oesophageal%20dilatation&serp=1&serpgroup=100

Hopefully someone else will help. 

Thanks Dani, the links are really helpful. Liz x

Hi, I was treated for base of tongue cancer over 8 years ago. The treatment shrank my oesophagus to the extent that I could not eat or drink. After a year they managed my first dilatation and I have had several since. I can now at least drink but eating is out of the question. You sound as though you are in a much better position than I am/was. The dilatations are no problem at all but mine have a tendency to shrink which is why I have had more than one. If your stricture is in the right kind of place they may be able to put a stent in which is what I think you are talking about. I know someone who has had one and he is eating and drinking although not quite normally. My case is quite bad but yours sounds much better. I have never had an issue with treatment and if I could have a stent I would. I wish you well and hope it all goes well.

best wishes.

clive

Hi Clive. We haven’t seen you for a couple of years and it’s sad to see you still can’t eat. Thank you for popping on to help Puny Goose 

How are  you in yourself? 
One of our community champs chris2012 is solely peg fed but I think he can still have the odd beer. Hopefully he’ll be along to say hello 

Thanks for your reply Clive. I appreciate you sharing your experience with me. I've decided not to rush into making any decision. As you say, I am managing well with a soft diet and there is the risk of the dilations shrinking back. All the best. Liz 

Good evening Clive, its sounds as if you are the same as me with your swallowing, although mine is due to other issues as my esophagus is still good, thankfully i can still swallow liquids which is a massive bonus, i use a PEG for feeding as the food supplements are too thick for me to swallow. I still manage a couple of real ales or Guinness a week as a treat although it takes a lot longer to drink it, not that I'm complaining. Wishing you all the best, lovely to hear from you, take care.

                                              Chris