#44797 04-08-2005 09:02 AM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 | My husband is having very frightening episodes of choking so badly he is afraid he is going to die. he is in his 5th week of radiaion and chemo... help??? | | |
#44798 04-08-2005 09:43 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi,
I am assuming this is because of mucous? A suction machine might help. Try to keep elevayed while sleeping. Talk to the radiologist about problem. Is there some med he can take? Tell him to hang in there. It is awful, but we survived.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#44799 04-08-2005 10:17 AM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 | He says it is from a super sensitive gag reflex that leads to the choking | | |
#44800 04-08-2005 11:48 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Is he taking any anti-anxiety meds? They may help him to relax a little.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#44801 04-08-2005 12:18 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 | Mucositus is very common in rad therapy, I have been out of treatment for a year and I still have it. I sleep in a recliner and still wake up choking. It is tough, but better than the alternative. Expectorants work but only temporarily. It is just part of the fight..
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.
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#44802 04-08-2005 01:24 PM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 206 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 206 | Hi All, When I had my radiation they had to put me in the hospital because I couldn't swallow. The Doctor also told me I could have stoped it anytime. The things that we have to endure for a
good life. I hope he gets better.
Cathy
Cathy
SCCA Stage IV diagnosed 01/90
base of tongue with 1/2 removed.
With neck resection, radiation and chemo
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#44803 04-08-2005 02:57 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 218 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 218 | Brenda,
Hi
It might help him relax if he works out a sign system with the radiation technicians to stop the treatment and take him out of his mask if that's what he needs.
When I bad mucous towards the end of treatment, the technicians said that all i had to do was raise my right arm off the table and they would interrupt the treatment, come into the room and get me upright. They also rushed in once the treatment was over to get me out of a horizontal position as quickly as possible.
Hang in there. - Sheldon
Dx 1/29/04, SCC, T2N0M0
Tx 2/12/04 Surgery, 4/15/04 66 Gy. radiation (36 sessions)
Dx 3/15/2016, SCC, pT1NX
Tx 3/29/16 Surgery
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#44804 04-08-2005 03:08 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | My Husband also has an extremely quick gag reflex.
The best thing for him was sedation just before radiation, it calmed us both down!
All during his rad treatment I would stand beside the Tech watching the screen, ready to jump to his rescue , except when one day we had a new guy in and I had to tear him a new one when he tried to stop me, silly boy! Just knowing I was doing that helped him relax.
best of luck to both of you
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#44805 04-13-2005 09:25 AM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 20 | Thanks for all the 'words of wisdom and experience. We tried it all and found the combination of the anti-anxiety medication, Robitussin and small sips of the soda water have made a big differance in the comfort level.. 9 days of radiation and 2 chemo treatments left. Thanks again.. it is such a comfort to hear from people who have regretfully "been there"" | | |
#44806 04-13-2005 12:10 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 153 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 153 | well for me, they gave me a two break after 4 weeks... i had a wonderful recovery and returned for 3 more weeks... hoping that i would be able to finish without delay... it all worked out.
has your husband been offered a break, if he needs it?
cu,
larryb | | |
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