Hi all,

I am 12 months post radio, after a rad neck dissection 12/03. I have an incredibly sore throat at the moment, can barely swallow, even painkillers aren't working, can't sleep. And my voice is dreadful, sort of like a severe laryngitis. And thrush has come back with a vengeance, agony! I went to my GP today and she has put me on antibiotics. She felt me and wasn't perturbed, we'll see how the a/b's go. Has this happened to anyone else after similar Tx? Can thrush come back with such a vengeance? Of course the usual thoughts go through your mind....

Cheers!

Tizz

tizz, congratulations on your anniversary. Sorry to hear of your sore throat. I have not had any similar problem to what you are describing. My dry mouth is a bother, but no big deal and my voice is different than it used to be, again nothing to worry about. I never had thrush so I can't comment on that, sorry. Would suggest if the antibiotics don't work in a couple of weeks, get it checked out at your cancer center.

Hi Tizz

I can understand you feeling edgy about those symptoms.

After two years I still get a very sore throat at times and take panadol for it most days. I have had thrush a couple of times in the past year which has gone quickly after treatment. I asked my surgeon why my throat got so sore and he said because it was so dry.

If your throat doesn't respond quickly a scope may be needed to ease your mind. Let us know, love and light from Helen

I had major problems with thrush in the post Tx and took huge amounts of Diflucan. Eventually it all stopped.

Thanks peoples,

After another sleepless night, I'm back to having the soluble Panadol plus crushed Panadeine Forte through a straw! Now I have to watch the constipation issue. If it ain't one, it's another...

Cheers!

Tizz

tizz, I found that a 7 oz. can of prune juice in the A.M. took care of the constipation issue for me.

Tizz,
I am 21 months past radiation and I had a very severe sore throat and lost my voice a couple of weeks ago. I am just now really getting over it. For a few days I could barely talk in a whisper. I believe it takes us that have done radiation longer to rebound from a cold, sore throat, etc. Anyone out there correct me if I'm wrong.
Question........does everyone notice a difference in their voice after radiation? Sometimes when I holler it will kind of spook me because it doesn't sound like me.
Tizz, hope it's nothng and that it clears up soon. Mine took two weeks to even begin to feel and sound better.
Minnie

I had a mild cold a few months ago that I recovered from rather quickly so I think it's an individual thing. I have had a few scares with sore throat issues but they all turned out not to be anything - that didn't stop me from asking my doctor just to be on the safe side.

Tizz, I finished rads last August and my voice, once it came back that is, has been quite husky. Like Helen, I have major dryness which can be painful. I have had a very sore throat a couple of times, and go clamoring to the oncologist for a scoping just to be sure. Periodically it is sore enough to warrant some pain medication. Remember, it's your throat and whatever it takes to put your mind at ease is an important part of the treatment..insist on it.
All the best,
Fran

Back again,

Minnea - this is very similar to what you describe. I survived colds/flu the first winter a couple of months post radio last year, when everyone was dropping like flies. And yet it's not even winter (lovely Autumn day, 77 deg.f!). I can barely talk - my cat is confused yet again :-) ...but it isn't too bad when someone telephones who you don't feel like talking to :-)

As per voice change after radio, mine went like Marg Simpson, then almost back to normal except when I speak expressively, or louder.

Fran B. - I've been lucky with not having many sore throats, just this one really scared me. All those awful thoughts, like, what if I had another radical neck dissection on the other side? How would I hold up my head? :-) (have to keep a sense of humour). BTW, do most of you have to hang onto your head when drinking the last drops from a cup, getting out of the dentist chair, bed, etc? It does still feel silly...

Cheers!

Tizz