I also had a tumor at the base of tongue and I had a very similar if not the same problem. I think most of my throw up episodes were not from nausea, but from the natural gag reflex I had from the feeling of something stuck back in my throat. It was worse for me when I bent over to brush my teeth, or took a hot shower, these two activities seemed to cause my sinus cavity to drain just enough to give me that “something stuck in my throat” feeling. At the end of my radiation treatment I couldn't talk for very long without gagging. Sometimes I would gag so hard that I would lose my voice for a while. I recall very well that when this happened it always seemed like I was throwing up nothing but pure stomach acid and it would really burn my throat.

Unfortunately the only thing for me that seemed to help a little was taking frequent sips of water. Even at the end of my treatment I could still drink water. This seemed to keep my throat moist, but it didn't always help. I'm pretty sure I have thrown up in every bathroom at MD Anderson on the walk from the reception area to the area where I received my radiation treatment!

I would offer to use more frequent PEG tube feedings with smaller quantities so your husband's stomach does not fill full all the time.

As with many of the wonderful side effects of radiation, things do get better with time, but it's difficult in the short term to get through each day.

The good news was that this ceased within about two weeks after my treatment ended and it sounds like you're near the end.

Randy Z.


RAZ
SCC base of tongue w/ nodes on right side