Hi Sheila! Im sorry you are struggling with eating. This is something that will turn into a downward spiral very quickly. You must swallow no matter how much it hurts. You do not want bigger problems down the road with having to relearn how to use those muscles. Even if its a few sips of water several times per day you need to do it. More importantly, you do not want to become dehydrated and end up being hospitalized. So if for no other reason, please force yourself to eat and drink. Daily you should be consuming 2500+ calories and 48 oz water. If you cant get that in every single day then yes you will need the feeding tube. If you do not get enough calories and water every day then you will feel terrible. The worse you feel the more you dont want to eat or drink. It will turn into a vicious cycle with the result being you getting stuck in the hospital for a while.

Im unsure what your doctor is referring to with the term feeding bag. I would think its the usual PEG tube that most people get. When you have a feeding tube put in you will be sore for 2 or 3 days. Usually patients are kept overnight in the hospital. Make sure you leave with full instructions and being taught how to properly feed yourself. All caregivers should also be there so they can learn at the same time.

The formulas can be tricky to get the right one as there are at least 50 different ones. I would purchase Carnation Very High Calorie formula by clicking on the Amazon link on the forum pages. I would substitute 2 cans of the prescription formula for 2 cans of Carnation VHC. It has 560 calories per can but it is thick so you will need to add water if using it in your feeding tube. Make sure you get a feeding pump, if you dont get one ask for it. This way you can sit and watch TV or sleep in bed while you are doing a feeding. Some people have sensitive stomachs and have to use the pump because other methods are too fast. If you get nausea from the formula, slow down the rate and add a can or 2 of water.


Most importantly is your nutrition when you are going thru radiation. I cant stress this enough!!!! Ask your doc for something called magic mouthwash. Its prescription and can be made a few different ways. Mine was lidocaine, malox and benedryl. It will numb your mouth enough to eat. Just swish it around in your mouth for about 15 seconds then spit it out. Something needs to be done right away to get you back on track. You will feel so much better once your nutrition improves. I know it hurts to eat and drink but you must do it.

Please add a signature so its easier for us to help you. Go to the 'my stuff' tab and click on profile. At the bottom is a white box, type your info in there. My advice might be different by knowing your history. For example did you just begin radiation a week ago or are you in your last week? If you are at the end I would suggest a nasal feeding tube as its more temporary and you dont need to go thru a surgery to get it.

Best wishes!