Fibrosis in the throat?

AngeG said:

It's on the side I had the treatment. 

What are you feeling? Are you finding it hard to swallow? 

Yes. I can swallow but it is taking it's time getting down,  as if its stuck there for a while.

Maybe it’s just that you’re not producing enough saliva to ease the food bolus down via weakened swallow muscles. I find I can swallow dry stuff but a bit always gets left behind 

Thank you Dani. And thank you so much for all your encouragement and inspiration you give to us all here.

Angela

You are very welcome 

It's hard encountering all these little hiccups. You always think the worst but it rarely happens. Keep doing your swallow exercises. They are for life

Hi Angela. Like Dani says  keep doing the swallow exercise like the duraphat toothpaste they are for life. I do mine without even thinking  about it. I can struggle with the silliest  things  eg mince  especially and petit pois peas. I always have a warm drink handy  at tea time for those just in case moments. There is little sense in what we can eat example I’ve had cheese and tuc  crackers today at lunchtime not an issue ,I can eat crisps but give  me a spoonful of peas and they in can stick in my throat. Bacon sandwiches aren’t great but I keep on try8ng I’m 7 years now post treatment. Next time you see consultant just mention to him. I do have a slight touch of fibrosis on heavily radiated side , it’s been there since year 2 hasn’t got any worse I keep up neck exercises keep fit as well 

hugs Hazel 

30 months since Chemoradiotherapy treatment finished for head and neck cancer...my swallowing is OK but there are still some things that are difficult to swallow, paracetamol is prescribed in soluble form, statins taken in lower dose tablets to make swallowing easier, other meds have to be crushed, some foods have to be cut into small pieces, washed down with plenty of liquids, others are a no go...new normal?

Thank you Hazel xx

Thank you. Oh well. As you say.  The new normal.  Finding it all so very difficult and the depression and sadness accompanying it quite overwhelming.  Feel very ashamed of feeling like this,  especially reading the terrible struggles many others are going through.

Youre  welcome it does get better. I never thought I would  go out without my trusty  water bottle but I can do. It’s early days for you although you might not think so. I’m living a fab life. 

hugs Hazel