I'm unable to get solid food down my throat. It feels as though I'm choking and forces me to gag it up. Even an 'O' in a Spagetti O produces the sensation. I'm working with a swallowing specialist but we can't make it stop.

I had chemo/rad last Jun/Jul 01, with neck dissection in Oct 01. The doctor says my problem is threefold: the 'swallower' (my word, not his) is hard and doesn't move in a wave, the base of tongue is flattened which leads into the vallecui (sp) area, and the 'swallower' is dry.

Anyone else had this problem? Like I've done in the past with all my other symptoms, I'm worried that this one won't get better.

Hi Midwest Gal..........Have you tired working/talking with a speech therapist about your swallowing problem? I was having a bit of the same problem a few years back, talked to my oncologist and he sent me to my speech therapist for an evaluation. The therapist did a barrium swallow, found nothing, but then worked with me on some eating/chewing/swallowing methods. I still have some problems but I think my trouble is due to the fact that my oral cavity/throat are so darn dry all the time. Just an idea. Sincerely, Donna

I second Donna's comments about a swallow study. Ask to see someone who is a specialist in swallowing disorders. My surgery was in March and radiation in May/June 01. By October I was still barely swallowing. Even liquids were difficult and any "solid" no matter how soft, was impossible. My local speech therapist had never worked with someone with so much difficulty. I finally got a referral to a specialist at the Mayo Clinic (one of my surgeries was done there) and she conducted a swallow study. Some of my issues sound similar to yours. Part of the problem is the dryness and part is the epiglotis not being as flexible anymore. I was very discouraged but the specialist told me she had seen people as bad as I was and worse and that improvement was possible. I still need very soft foods and lots of water but at least I am eating and not on a feeding tube.
ilene

My mom is 3 weeks out of treatment. She had 8 weeks of radiation with chemo once a week. She is still having difficulty swallowing but she thinks it's because of the thick saliva that continues to build in her throat. Her Oncologist says that her throat is still a little red & swollen, but once that goes away she should be fine. Many of you are really experiencing ongoing problems with swallowing. Is that because you had neck dissections & surgeries whereas my Mom did not?

Susan, I had surgery and a neck dissection and swallow just fine, but then my tongue was not involved. I suspect it is the location of the tumor that is the deciding factor. Hope your mom is feeling a bit better every day by now.

Joanna

Susan, It all takes time. All of us have had different treatments. I did not have RAD but had a portion of my tongue removed, the floor of my mouth removed and radical neck dissection. It takes time to heal. I still have problems where I feel like something is stuck in my throat. I had an Endoscopy done in November and all is well. It just seems that it may be some scar tissue build up from the trachea. Give it some time and it will get better, trust me.

Thoughts are with you. Anne.

I do think that with time swallowing does get a bit better. I also think we learn to adjust and adapt to our "new" mouths and finally reallize that we will have to chew more throughly or drink MORE liquid while eating. That we no longer have the option of just "grabbing a bite to eat." I know when I'm in a grocery store and they are giving out their free samples I have to walk right on by. While eating is still very pleasureable for me, sometimes it is work too.

For any of you out there having eating or swallowing problems it might be a good idea to at least consult with a speech therapist. I know doing this was tremdous help for me. I learned a few "tricks of the trade" that were more than helpful during my first few months minus the feeding tube.

Having said all that, I still think that it is wise to request a barrium swallow if you're still feeling umcomfortable with the swallowing process after a while. My doctor told me on more than one occasion that it was "just the scar tissue making swallowing difficult" but still, I wanted to make sure that was all that it was. He was right, but after the barrium swallow, I felt more reassured and relieved to know that there was nothing more going on. We know our bodies better, or as well, as the Doctors we just need to pay attention to any changes going on. Sincerely, Donna