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#44118 10-26-2004 11:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
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"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
I have been out of treatment since May 04 and have not, until today, had a swallowing test. I have been drinking liquids and eating, within reason, but I have always had a problem with choking and a constant feeling like I needed to clear my throat.
Today I saw the problem on a digital xray monitor. When I swallow liquids, a small portion of that liquid goes down my Trachea. The Radiologist was surprised that I had not already had Pneumonia.
For the next two months, I can only have viscous substances like apple sauce by mouth. All liquids, Ensure for nutrients, etc, must go through the PEG.
If any of you experience choking sensations while trying to eat or drink, you too may be aspirating your food/drink and this can lead to major respiratory health problems . I urge you to seek the opinion of a Dysphagia professional, swallowing clinic, etc.
Darrell


Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
#44119 10-26-2004 12:24 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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Senior Member (100+ posts)
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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Darrell,
I had similar "spillover" problems diagnosed by the Speech/Swallowing therapist. She walked me through a series of swallowing exercizes which I practiced for several weeks. I saw improvement almost immediately, and now, 8 months out, I have minimal swallowing problems. Crumbly meat tends to stick in my throat.
It was a matter of exercizing the tongue and throat muscles, and I can only imagine how bizarre I must have looked doing the exercizes.
Now that you've identified the problem, I'm hoping you will have the same success in beating it.

Good Health

Chuck


SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
#44120 10-26-2004 12:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,606
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,606
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Darrell,

Thanks for the info. I hope you find succes like Chuck did in battling the problem. I have been wondering if I am having lymph nodes swelling up around my collarbone and lower neck because of this. I seem to have them from the ear down the the collarbone swelling up but not hard. I think I will check out the aspiration because I do choke on water sometimes and cough during and after meals.

Ed


SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
#44121 10-26-2004 10:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9
Darrell,

Let me add my thanks here as well. I'm about five months post-radiation now, and still have significant difficulty swallowing. I also have what I call coughing fits. Whatever it is, it's definitely radiation induced. I'll ask my surgeon and radiation nocologist about a referral. Thanks, and good luck to you.

David


Stage 1 lateral border of tongue in 1986 requiring L neck dissection, three surgeries later in Feb 2004 invasive SCC (poorly differentiated) L radical neck dissection followed by 37 treatments XRT

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