I'm at about 5 months post treatments now and feeling fairly good. Still get a bit fatigued...but, think that is mostly due to lack of nutrition because of 'stricture' in my throat not allowing me to eat SOLID food at all. I have a G-Tube and getting my nutrition that way for about 6 months now.

I've had FOUR 'dialations' of throat now (including last one just this past week) and they seem to be a waste of time. Hardly ANY improvement. Anybody out there had this condition?? I'm very interested in maybe 'other' options to fix this, if any???

I just want to eat solid food again....someday. And, would like to know there is hope to do so.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Gary O

Hi Gary,
I did not have a gtube because I was pregnant so I don't know if I will be any help to you. But I did not eat solid food until I was about5-6 months out. I do have some constricting but I haven't had any dilations because I don't have much of a problem with it. It has been 28 months for me and I can eat most anything except breads and meats due to lack of saliva and spicey and acidic foods.
Are you trying to eat or are you afraid to eat?
Hang in there. Things will get back to normal with a little time. I had radiation only so I was zapped of energy for 15-18 months afterwards.
Take care. Mary

Gary O,

My wife had a stricture and has had at least 7 dilations. For a while she was having one very 2 to 4 weeks. She was on the G-tube for about 8 months and she was able to get off it after the first couple of dilations. After the third dilation she would be able to eat some solid food for a couple of weeks and than the esophagus would close again.

After the last dilation, she was seeing a speech therapist and that helped a lot with swallowing since she has not a dilation for several months.