I finished 8 weeks of radiation and Cesplatin in mid October. I have BOT with tumors in the throat and left lymph node, stage 4. Nothing in the larynx itself. Towards the end of treatment my voice got a little raspy but within the last month or so it gets downright funky. I never know what's going to come out of my mouth. I can go from this sexy BarryWhite voice to a squeaky Tiny Tim cracking with a little bit of froggy from the little rascals thrown in.

I am thinking it's probably the radiation that may have changed my throat and vocal cords but I am also thinking it could be you know what.

Anybody else experience this?

Thanks
Ed Kane

I also never know what sound is going to come out of my mouth from minute to minute. Often people comment "are you sick?" Sometimes it makes me want to say "well, duh" ! With what this throat has been through it is a wonder I have a voice at all !

Sure never knew how important Silvia is in the mouth. The constant and unrelenting burn is the worst.

I have just tried a new product called Oral7, a big thank you again to Uptown, (another poster on this site) for kindly sending me sample packets of the mouthwash, mouth gel and toothpaste. It seems to be all that biotene ever wanted to be and the mouthwash gives me about 2 hours of glorious relief.

I have contacted the company to request an order form to order more of each. If you are interested in trying it let me know and I will get the contact info to you.

Take care !

I hear you about the voice changes as I probably sound like Mickey Mouse now compared to my former self. It could be anything just using myself as an example, like the cold winter air/wind on your throat, straining voice to be heard, talking too much, dry mouth, mucus, spicy food, sips of alcohol, and effects of radiation all effected my speech/throat.

As it goes, any unusual sign or symptom lasting more than 2-3 weeks, I often waited less, should be looked into by your doctors, more likely your ENT, who may do a flex scope of your throat or perform other evaluations. During mine a few years ago, my ENT found I have a paralyzed left vocal cord, which effects my voice. As such, I was sent twice to "voice specialists", actually otolaryngologists who specialize in voice and others disorders, who can do vocal cord injections with collagen, other material, to strengthen the voice, but I never had them done.

Instead, I was sent to Speech and Language Pathologists, SLP, for swallow boot camp where I was evaluated, and had a modified barium swallow study done, about my 3rd or 4th, where it was showed again my epiglottis doesn't fully close, and silently aspirate, so I had exercises to do, and shown what swallow maneuvers helped that, and to strengthen my voice,

I hope this helps.

Thanks Jo. I would like the info on the Oral 7. I have been using the Biotene but over the last 3 to 4 weeks my mouth has gotten super sensitive and almost anything "burns." Biotene just lights me up now. Think I was rinsing with gasoline. I would kill for 2 hours of relief. I am back to using the pink magic Lanocaine liquid before meals so I can eat but that tastes so gruesome I want to toss my cookies.

Thanks Paul. I have had problems with aspirating prior to treatment as the tumor on the back of the tounge was interfering with closing when swallowing. That tumor is gone now so I assume I no longer aspiraten

Hi Edward, I would be happy to send you samples. I can almost promise one of 3 different forms they make will help you. I am ecstatic over the mouthwash. The gel is pretty good although the soft waxy or warm coconut oil consistency takes some getting used to. I have not tried the toothpaste yet, only because I am using Clinpro 5000 prescribed by my dentist.

I was surprised to see the gel and toothpaste for sale on Amazon. The mouthwash is out of stock right now. Of course the one I wanted the most. I went straight to the Oral7 site and they were amazing at getting right back to me.

I must admit I laughed upon reading your post. My words exactly ! Biotene set the inferno to new heights and the pink vile concoction provided new lows.

Could not find my sample mouthwash packets last night (now where on earth did I stash those?) so, I grabbed the gel, used it and finally went to sleep about 6 this morning.

Again, I can surly send you some little packets of each to try. Send me your address in a private message here on the site and I will get samples right out to you.

Wishing you well.
Jo

Anyone who orders anything from Amazon.... PLEASE!!! use our link on the upper right of any page. By clicking on that box first, it will take u directly to the Amazon website. This helps OCF by giving us a much needed 5% kickback from any purchase made thru that link. It doesnt cost anything extra except an extra second of your time to click our Amazon box prior to shopping. No purchase is too small, they all add up to help keep OCF operating.

Thank you very much!!!!

Didn't know. I would be happy to do that.

Nice to hear about this new Oral 7, I'll have to check it out for my boyfriend!! Thanks for the info!

Sure worth a try. I could send you samples but I am on vacation right now far from home. If you would like for me to send any to you when I get home let me know your address by private message here on the site.

If Amazon is still out of the Oral7 mouthwash you can contact the company to order it or even to get free samples. Wishing the best for you and your boyfriend !

Hello
I had base of tongue cancer eleven years ago and had a partial neck dissection plus six weeks radiotherapy. Luckily everything went well and I’m still here.
Over the last three weeks I have noticed I have become a little hoarse and tonight my voice is very hoarse. No other symptoms at all. Am just worried it may have come back in my larynx. Has anyone heard of this? I am also a teacher using my voice a lot plus winter is always harsh on vocal chords. Am probably over reacting but think the GP might be my next call.
Thanks for any help/ advice x

Many patients experience voice changes and hoarseness and it is not necessarily a sign of a recurrence. Radiation damage to the larynx happens often years out from treatments, as well as swallowing issues and other nerve damage related problems. They often first manifest as hoarseness.

Also, a base of tongue cancer which was likely caused by HPV is not often the cause of laryngeal cancers, certainly not this far out.

My vote would be to see an ENT that has a practice focused on head and neck cancers. They might most likely be a surgeon, and less the kind of ENT that sees lots of non cancer ailments and children. You will want one that is capable of passing a small scope down your nose, which is quick and painless (if weird feeling ) to have a close up look at your larynx and surrounding area. That will be a more thorough exam than you would get at a GP doctors office.

All of us a survivors seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. Hoping you find this is something transient and not serious. Please come back when you’ve had you exam to let us know how it went. B

Hi Sarha,
My husband finished Head and Neck Cancer Treatment 8 Years ago and 2 years ago finished almost the same treatment for Small Cell Carcinoma in his Trachea (A Weird One for sure). His voice has gotten really horse and he sounds terrible. The ENT thinks he is using his False Vocal Cords and that he should see a Speech Therapist. My Husband doesn't want to peruse another Dr. There is always peace of mind after you see the ENT and He scopes the throat and says nothing to see here! Hope you get answers Stay Healthy!