stage 3 no nodes HPV 16 small tumor base of tongue with sunmucosal tail. Was eating pretty good since finishing eggs pancakes and steak even. The last two weeks I seem to be getting a new problem where I choke on liquid all early morning and cant seem to eat anything solid seems to be getting stuck, Also feeling of liquid splashing up into my nose. As the day goes on I seem to get better and can eat all foods. Very little saliva. The mornings are driving me up a wall. Went to see an ent two days ago and he said no signs of disease and healing looks ok. Larry

HI there... okay did you have radation? Surgery?

Stage three - is NOT a small tumor. Especially if it's been staged at three without nodal involvement. That would make a a LARGE tumor to start. And cancer can seed to the nodes without being detected on a scan.

What treatment have you had?

Assuming you've had radiation then the swallowing issues could be swelling and fibrosis.

hugs...

Sorry to hear it Lawrence. Cheryl is as always spot on. If you're had rads your throat can undergo changes for several years afterward, as I can attest. Have you had a scope lately? I couldn't eat anything solid for a good six months after my treatment.

Lawrence:
Welcome to the family.

Was your ENT appointment possibly at the time when you experience your symptoms? It's a stretch, but I suppose it possible to have swelling of some sort in the morning and then it goes away later.

Where are you in your treatment schedule? Have you had surgery already?

Do you eat or drink anything different in the morning that you don't consume later in the day that might be causing or contributing to the swelling?

Tony

Welcome, and sorry for your difficulties. As with any changes, pain, that does not go away, you need to tell your doctor, who should rule out a cancer recurrence like the ENT did. They can refer you to a SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, to help you. Usually they do a swallow study, with a modified barium swallow, and see if there are any problems there, offer suggestions, and exercises to do. I had one done 3 weeks ago, and was able to help.

Good luck.

had radiation and chemo. No surgery . Was eating fine for two months after treatments buy know having trouble. Mostly in the morning upon waking. Does time help with the swelling and fibrosis I am a nervous wreck already

Tony(great name) not eating anything different but starting to think it is swelling. Had no surgery 35 rad and some chemo. 3 months since last treatment and now having this issue Go figure. Lorenzo

thanks for the advice Paul Will keep you informed as I go. Larry

Three months is early. While everyone is different, and so is the amount of radiation, and location of it, and the BOT is integral for swallowing, and was heavily radiated. I couldn't eat anything for at least 7 weeks post treatment, and that was maybe a teaspoon of broth, cream of wheat. It was many more months before I can barely say I ate a meal. Radiation has short term toxicities, that resolve less than three months, and long term toxicities, more than 3 months, some which can take months, years, decades to resolve, happen or not at all. Chemo effects usually start several days after infusion, and resolve after treatment, but some can be long term, depending on the chemo, dosage amount, frequency, and infusion rate, like hearing, neuropathy, kidneys, vision. People often have swelling, dry mouth, difficulty in the morning for many reasons. I sleep on an incline bed, some use humidifiers to help with dryness, and other things to help.


Good luck.

Ask for a barium swallowing test to see whats going on with your swallowing. You want to ensure you are not getting food and liquids into your lungs by aspirating when you try to eat and drink. Take extra time to eat small bites/sips and try to eat and drink slowly.