Pain

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page1
page1 Member Posts: 1
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cancer of the tongue last June 2011. Finished his radiation in September 2011. Has had four pet scans since radiation and it shows no new cancer. Had the feeding tube put in about July of 2011 and is still using. Still in so much pain when he trys to eat anything at all....even soft foods. Upon experiences of everyone here...is this normal? How long does one normally have to wait before they start eating again.
Any help wold be appreciated. I can't stand to see him in pain. Thanks in advance for all your time.

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  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #2
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    it isn't a question of "Normal"
    the man may very well be in severe pain! If you asked what is the average time frame, for pain, while eating after radiation, he is a little on the long side and the feeding tube compared to averages has been in a little on the long side. There are huge exceptions to this for multiple reasons. Is it possible that it's psychological, yep, I was in no hurry to get rid of my feeding tube. This stuff can recur with frequency and getting a feeding tube put in, is an awful experience. Encourage him to drink a can of his supplement straight out of the can. If he can get a can of the stuff down, (it taste like cardboard) then he is a candidate to get off the tube) absent any other complicating factor?
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
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    Normally.....
    Hi Page, as mentioned, there is no definitive answer as for normaility, each are different. But he does seem a little on the long side of time.

    My questions is why are they doing so many PET scans....four in eight months seems to be a lot.

    Most might have a PET a few months post treatment, and then again annually.

    Welcome to the forum...., also here's a link to the SuprThread, which does have tons of great info, much on the PEG also;

    SuperThread

    Best,
    John
  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #4
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    What kind of pain, and where?
    What kind of pain is your husband having, and where exactly is it? If it's located on or near a bone, you might start to ask his docs about osteoradionecrosis (ORN).

    Mike

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