| | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 | Any new advice for the ability to swallow without gagging? Even small amounts of liquid are painful and trigger a wretched taste that causes me to throw up.
Husband of Caregiver 88.
Thanks!
Primary caregiver to Lewis age 50. Non-smoker, radiation 5x per week, cisplatin 3x over eight weeks. Stage 4A; tumor and two lymph nodes but contained.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Im not sure if this is an after effect from treatments or if you are still doing them. A swallow test from a dietitian will determine what your capabilities are. This is important so that you do not get liquid into your lungs when you attempt to drink. As far as the pain goes, that is another story. If you are cleared to drink from a dietitian, then ask for pain meds that are strong enough so you do not experience pain when drinking. If the pain is inside your mouth then you may benefit from magic mouthwash.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 | The gagging is likely a result of swelling in the back of the throat from the radiation. Gagging is a reflex which triggers anytime there's stimulation at the back and sides of the throat - the movement of the swollen tissue when swallowing could result in the gagging. You're getting your treatment at Swedish, right? - please ask your onc. for a referral to Joanne Fenn Speech Language Pathologist at Swedish - she specializes in Head and Neck cancer. A dietian cannot diagnose or treat a swallowing problem only an SLP can.
Good luck!
Jennifer (39)
02/10 SCCa Tongue & Base, HPV-
03/10 Partial Glossectomy & ND 11/10 Revision due to additional nodes 12/20-2/2/11 IMRT & concommitant chemo 2/11 PEG in 3/11 PEG out
Back at work and feeling good 03/24/11!
12/20/11 - 9 month f/u PET/CT - all clear!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Jen...the hospital where I had my treatments, the dietitians would give me the swallowing tests. Is this something beyond what they normally do?
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 167 | Hey Christine - may be an East Coast thing- but typically a dietitian has the knowledge and education to identify that a Pt. is having a problem swallowing but can not diagnose the type of swallowing problem, identify contributing factors and most importantly can't treat the swallowing problem.
Treatment is key! Swallowing is so complex - and, depending on the problem, can be dangerous by causing respiratory complications or impeding adequate nutrition/hydration. What good have we done by identifying a weak swallow or a "lazy" epiglottis if we're not going to try to improve it through treatment?
If a dietitian tells you you have a swallowing problem then you'd best see an SLP for a full assessment and treatment! No disrespect to dietitians intended- they're awesome, but you don't want an SLP determining your dietary needs and you don't want a dietitian diagnosing (and treating) your swallowing problem.
Jennifer (39)
02/10 SCCa Tongue & Base, HPV-
03/10 Partial Glossectomy & ND 11/10 Revision due to additional nodes 12/20-2/2/11 IMRT & concommitant chemo 2/11 PEG in 3/11 PEG out
Back at work and feeling good 03/24/11!
12/20/11 - 9 month f/u PET/CT - all clear!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I always thought the same thing...Why does a dietitian do the swallow tests when thats all they can help me with. Made no sense to me. Ive had them give me the swallow test a couple times.
Im glad you wrote all this info. Its very helpful!!! Aspiration is a very big problem. Thanks, Jen!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | |
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