Good news-- I got to come home today! Yesterday the inf. disease MD ordered IV diflucan in case it is a yeast infection of the esophagus. The GI guy agreed with that but said he doubted it could be herpes since I am only getting radiation. He added protonix twice a day (an anti-acid, anti-reflux type drug) and gave me yet another magic mouthwash concoction-- this one is xylocaine plus carafate four times a day. He was not overly anxious to do an endoscopy unless I was still really sick on Monday (whew-dodged that bullet). At any rate, I felt much better this morning and felt like there was much less pressure in my throat, and the right ear pain is not as bad although it is still there, esp. when I swallow. I was able to eat some scrambled eggs and haven't had any more throwing up. I would hate to think the vomiting was the fentanyl patch, but am really scared to try it again (esp. after reading Pat's post above!) For now I am using the oxycodone that was for breakthrough pain.

Christine, I wondered about the experience with head/neck CA pts.myself but didn't read these posts until I got home. I did ask the hospitalist several times what good a GI consult and endoscopy was going to do! She said she really thought everything was due to radiation but there was that slight 1% chance it was something else so she wanted the GI consult. I guess I have to give her credit since I do feel so much better today-- I'm almost hoping it is yeast esophagitis just because there is something I can do for it (they prescribed diflucan for two weeks). I know I am still going to have pain related to the radiation,but even my RO had indicated I seemed to be having a "disproportionate" amount of pain for what he would expect at this point.

Thank you all again so much for your posts and your support. It is so helpful to get your input and just to communicate with people who know what you are going through!!!