!1 months out of treatment for throat cancer (35 rad treatments). This winter I have had 2 colds that started out as a itchy throat and then turned into lung congestion, I am over them now but seem to have lingering congestion in my lungs. I take Ambien to help me sleep and my wife tells me in the morning that I have coughing spells during the night. During the day I cough up phlem sometimes once per hour sometimes once every 3 hours. Similar to a smokers cough, I went to my ENT and he said there was nothing he could do for the colds and ordered a swallow test to see if I was aspirating during eating and drinking. It came up negative for any problems swallowing and the technician said it was good that I was coughing when I eat and drink sometimes, she said that it was body telling me that there is something going down the wrong pipe and I cough it out. I am worried about the lingering congestion in my lungs that doesn't seem to go away completely, I didn't have any coughing or congestion till I got these colds, This has me worried a little bit, I have another appointment with my ENT April 2nd, I have also been taking a multi-vitamin with my regular meds.

I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, Murphy!

It can be one or many short, less than 3 months post treatment, and then long term issues, more than 3 months, bothering you!

Ambian has its own side effects, including dysphagia. I’ve been taking it now for 8 years, which is really long term, but it’s better than not sleeping for me. Coughing up phlegm is common post treatment, and did, and still do all these years post treatment (almost 5) for multiple reasons. My epiglottis doesn’t fully close, so I aspirate silently a little, as was found during my swallow studies, which I had at least 4 at different centers, and had post treatment swallowing issues for years.

Have you had a recent chest X-ray to show any aspiration to the lungs? Not sure about the multi-vitamins, unless your doctor prescribes them as I’m not a big taker of vitamins anymore, but did for many years.

I went to swallow boot camp for a while, as I call it. At least 10 weeks, and was of much help. Many people I know went to such with the SLP.

Good luck with your ENT visit on the 2nd!

Huh, I didn't know that about Ambien (off to read more now!) but I know I've got to sleep on a slanted wedge pillow, minimum, and take Prilosec daily too, because of reflux. For the first several follow-up appointments, we were seeing damage due to reflux (even though it was hard to notice otherwise), so we put me on it long-term (ENT's decision, scoped me each time). Every now and then I run out, and stop taking it for a time, and then learn I still need it. Not sure if aspirating is the right term, but reflux fits, and the meds do help (though they also impact other vitamin absorption, and my family doctor helps me stay on top of that). Something to consider, if the tests aren't showing aspiration ... are they showing any damage or signs of reflux?

Actually, I have Barrett’s Esphogus, a severe form of GERD, that is irreversible, found during a biopsy a few years ago by the gastro doctor. I need to have swallow studies once a year, and take Prilosec. I do sleep on an incline on an automated bed, so that helps with a few issues.

Thank you for the responses. I have had GERD for about 10 years 8 before cancer and take Protonix for it. No I didn't know that about Ambien wonder if my ENT knows about that, I will be sure to bring it up on my visit. He scopes me every time I go see him, same with the radioncologist. This crap at the back of my throat is getting old, can't swallow it and can't bring it up. I have noticed when I drink hot coffee in the morning it seems to clear my throat for a while, eating helps as well.. I think I will try some hot tea with no cafine to see if that clears me up at all, If I get to doing something for a while I will forget about it till it builds up and then afraid I'm going to choke on it. I don't think the inclined bed is going to work for me, I have back trouble too and sleep on my side.
Just got my upper denture last week and it is bringing on some different issues with thick saliva and this throat problem, guess things could be worse but sometimes I think I don't know how.

I sleep on my side too, and the inclined pillow isn't ideal, but it is better than flat. Sometimes there's just no winning on these things. I'm waiting for dentures myself ... yay.

I had 22 teeth extracted almost 2 years ago, been on a soft food diet for so long I'm used to it. Getting dentures has been a challenge, the professor that is working with me said that the dentist (oral surgeon) that pulled my teeth didn't take enough bone out with the teeth and was supposed to take a tori out with the extractions. My radioncologist said that we couldn't wait any longer on the rad treatments so my scheduled date to get the tori taken out was cancelled. I just got my upper plate last week, my gums seem to be still sensitive and it doesn't take much to scrape and hurt them. Have a bottom plate but have to wait for the gums to heal before I can try fitting it again. it's going to be a long process. I have been back 2 times to get the upper adjusted and am starting to get used to it. Have had some bone chips in the gums several times and they do hurt but OK now.