Katie, good that you're writing at this stage and everyone has given you good advice.

Jay is referring to lidocaine, which is available in viscous (liquid) form. It's like a gel, and you swish it around in your mouth for a temporary numbing effect. I found it was the only thing that worked for me so I could get the liquid nutrition down. But then I didn't have a PEG. But from everything I read, as well as common sense, I urge you not to rely completely on the tube for all swallowing. At least keep drinking water by mouth so you keep your esophogeal muscles in shape.

For pain I used oxycodone but mainly just at night. As someone mentioned, Fentanyl is kind of the last line of defense, at least that I know about. It comes in patches that you replace every few days. I used it for the last week or 10 days of rads and it helped.

Keep us posted and hang in there. You'll get through it and on to recuperation before you know it!