Michelle,
I don't recall seeing anything in this post about pain medication and constipation. When I was on my pain meds full time I became constipated, before I found out about taking a stool softner. I bought the Walmart brand and took them daily. When I couldn't swallow I took them through my PEG tube. Talk to your doctor about this.

I had a PEG tube put in before treatment started, also thinking I wasn't going to use it. By the end of the 4th week of radiation, which was also the end of my 2nd round of chemo, it was to painful to swallow, even water. I believe I didn't swallow anything for about 2 months, which was a big mistake. I had to retrain myself on how to swallow. Something I didn't think about and plan for.

The PEG tube was great in enabling me to get my nutrition (6 cans a day of carnation VHC) and hydration. I believe this made my healing and recovery go very well. The nutritionist set a goal of a minimum of 2,700 calories a day and I made sure I met it. I wrote everything down I ate everyday. I order my Carnation instant breakfast VHC from a web site called www.imed.com. That is the best price I found to have it delivered to my door. When I was going through treatment my nutritionist ordered for me and had my insurance pay for it. Now being 6 months post treatment, I can eat just about anyting I want, but I still order the carnation VHC for its nutritional value to supplement my regular diet.

Ask your RO about the type of radiation again. Ask him if it is IMRT. It sounds like he misunderstood your question.

Take care,