Hvp16 + right tonsil and tongue base cancer. 3 weeks post treatment.

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Still complety dependent on RIG and mouth is unbearably sore can't even take sips of water. How long will this this last Thinking

I feel desperate to have a drink. Mostly it stings and makes me cough, very occasionally I can tolerate a very sip. I thought itv would have started to ease by now . Any advice please 

Emma

  • Hi Floss. Where are you? Around 4 weeks out of treatment? That’s still very early. I was on morphine till 12 weeks though I did manage to eat a little mushy food by six weeks. 
    If you have oromorph you could try swishing that around your mouth five minutes before trying something soft like a mousse or a yoghurt. Ready brek is good too, it’s softer than porridge. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • PS are you doing your swallow exercises? 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Even sipping water can be very difficult at times, my wife and CNS were at me constantly to keep trying, not easy, keep hydrating regularly through the RIG until things improve, about a month or so after finishing treatment should see things start to ease off.

    Try sucking small ice cubes.

    Micky

  • I ended up being admitted so I'm now making sure I'm getting enough hydration through the rig. I honestly can't bare are feel of the thing in the mouth. I'm getting really cross with myself!  I'll give it a go x

  • I haven't been given any swallow excercises,  but I've got an appointment on Monday with slt, dietitian etc. So I'll see what they say x thank you 

  • Getting cross with yourself? Most of us have been there, it is frustrating but we have to start somewhere. How long were you in hospital for? quite a few on here have ended up in the cancer ward for help with the side effects and weight loss.

    Micky

  • I was in for 2 weeks. Dehydration,  low magnesium and potassium 

  • Dear Emma

    4 weeks is very very early stage of your recovery. During my treatment and a few weeks after my treatment I could not drink water, it tasted horrible and my mouth was full of ulcers . The only thing I could have for some reason was frozen diet coke that I used to sip regularly during the day out of a small bottle. Water had to go through my peg. We all at some point have felt frustrated and upset for not doing something as straight forward as drinking water, but we should not as this is something out of our control. Be kind to yourself and take each day at a time. Just remember to keep hydrated though your rig, you will be able to drink again soon. 

    Slight smile

    Fab1