I finished treatment 3 months ago (end of March)and the back of my mouth, near where my tonsils were, and my throat are still causing pain when I swallow. It seems that things should be better, pain-free, by now, but wonder what others experienced? Does it get better slowly or do you realize one day that it is just gone?

I did have a 2nd dilation two weeks ago which did open my throat to allow greater swallowing, so maybe that is still healing (hopefully the strictures are not re-bonding). So hard to stay optimistic without a feeling of improvement.

Nancy, sorry to hear you are still experiencing some pain. Most patients will recover very slowly which can be frustrating. Seems like 3 months should be enough time to get well but in reality you still have several more months to go. Its usually one month of recovery for every week of radiation. So that puts you at about the half way point. Unfortunately a complete recovery can take every bit of 2 years. The very best thing you can do to help yourself to bounce back is to keep up a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day for at least the first year. your body has been thru the war and needs that many (if not more) calories to just do your day to day nutrition, throw in heeling and you will need every one of those high calories. Check with your doc or nutritionist about adding some high protein whey powder to your diet. The extra protein will help you with heeling.

Best wishes!!!

Each of us can respond differently to this Tx for many many reasons BUT IMO you need to continue to pursue this issue because it's rare after 3 months post Tx to continue to have pain swallowing. I said rare NOT unheard of.

You don't include HPV in your Signature Line? Did they not test for it?

BTW did they remove your tonsils?

I would think the dilation's, even the anesthesia, Intubation may still l cause pain a week later on top of your prior treatment. Tell your doctor of any pains, which would need to be ruled out as reminiscent or recurrent cancer too, as protocol. Good luck.

Yes, they did remove my tonsils and found the left one to be the primary; no cancer in the right one. I've updated my profile to include that.

They tested for HPV in both the neck node and the tonsils. I recall the SO saying that one test came back positive but the other had to be restained for some reason. To be honest I haven't pushed them for the full results as I don't want that to be another cause of worry for me (if it comes back HPV- I would feel doomed).

I have a CT scan and ENT appointment scheduled for mid-July and debating having the ENT appointment moved up, if possible.

Nancy, it will get better. In some people, it takes longer -- my husband is one such case. The RO believes he is more sensitive than most people to the radiation and, as a result, he has more scarring. Hang in there, you are not doing so badly. Talk to your doctor if the pain continues.