Has anyone had any experience with a fairly new swallowing disorder treatment called VitalStim. I have been in speech/swallowing therapy and making slow progress. This procedure uses electrical stimulation to work the nech and esophagus mechanisms used in swallowing. I mentioned in to my ENT but he thinks it's "hokus-pokus". It was just approved by the FDA in Dec 2002. I've read some good reports about it from a couple of oral cancer patients who, like myself, were only having limited success until they had some VitalStim treatments.
Been on the PEG for 16 months and this sounds like something that would speed up swallowing progress. I'd appreciate any input.

Jim Haucke
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T4 cancer of tongue anterior and base, floor of mouth and pharynx - Feb 04 subtotal glossectomy, pharyngoplasty, radial forearm free flap reconstruction, mandibular osteomoty, and supraohyoid left neck dissection; 36 read treatments