Terrible night

Nous Defions
Nous Defions Member Posts: 33 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
One week post surgery and I thought it was going well until last night. I woke up choking with a mouthful of blood. The pain was manageable at times, but the bleeding lasted for about 2 hours.

I saw one of my docs this morning and he said everything looked ok. The bleeding was coming from the right side where they did the radical tonsillectomy.

I'm also having issues trying to consume any type of liquids, baby food, ensure, etc. The first bite or sip is ok, but every bite or sip afterwards is very painful. At first it is just a mild burning sensation, then it turns to extreme pain. Any suggestions on how to counter this or is this just a phase you have to fight through.

Will

Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #2
    My husband
    My husband had his tonsils removed (not cancer related), had horrible bleeding for about a week, one night was really bad--had to finally call doctor. We net doc in ER and hubby had to have area cauterized, then he began to recover. Pain--did you get liquid Tylenol 3?
    Take it before you want to drink, hold it in throat if you can before you swallow, should give you some relief to get liquids down, and then nap. This too shall pass.
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #3
    Liquid pain meds
    Hey Will,
    I had issues with this after my neck resection. I was unable to swollow much of anything without a liquid pain med before trying. Ask your MD about this. Best of luck, and hoping you heal quickly ! Katie
  • Nous Defions
    Nous Defions Member Posts: 33 Member
    #4
    KTeacher said:

    My husband
    My husband had his tonsils removed (not cancer related), had horrible bleeding for about a week, one night was really bad--had to finally call doctor. We net doc in ER and hubby had to have area cauterized, then he began to recover. Pain--did you get liquid Tylenol 3?
    Take it before you want to drink, hold it in throat if you can before you swallow, should give you some relief to get liquids down, and then nap. This too shall pass.

    The doctors prescribed a
    The doctors prescribed a liquid hydrocodone for pain. It works very well for the overall pain tolerance. It just does not provide any help when I try to eat.
  • Nous Defions
    Nous Defions Member Posts: 33 Member
    #5
    katenorwood said:

    Liquid pain meds
    Hey Will,
    I had issues with this after my neck resection. I was unable to swollow much of anything without a liquid pain med before trying. Ask your MD about this. Best of luck, and hoping you heal quickly ! Katie

    Katie - they gave me some
    Katie - they gave me some really good liquid pain medication (liquid hydrocodone). It works well for overall pain management, but no help for eating.

    Will
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    That would have scared me half to death!!
    A tough night is an understatement, Will...

    Because my mouth is in such rough shape this week...the same Dr. who refilled my Magic Mouthwash yesterday, ordered me two bottles of pure Lidocaine today. I haven't tried it yet, just got home....but I've heard others on here who swear by it...that it's way better at numbing than the MM. Maybe ask your doc for Lidocaine 2% Visc Solution, so you can get some food down?

    p
  • Nous Defions
    Nous Defions Member Posts: 33 Member
    #7
    phrannie51 said:

    That would have scared me half to death!!
    A tough night is an understatement, Will...

    Because my mouth is in such rough shape this week...the same Dr. who refilled my Magic Mouthwash yesterday, ordered me two bottles of pure Lidocaine today. I haven't tried it yet, just got home....but I've heard others on here who swear by it...that it's way better at numbing than the MM. Maybe ask your doc for Lidocaine 2% Visc Solution, so you can get some food down?

    p

    I hope it works
    P - I hope that the 2% lidocaine works for you. I will ask my doctor tomorrow.

    I managed to eat some Mac and cheese baby food today. It burned, but I just kept fighting through it. I keep praying that it will improve any second now.

    I am still able to drink at least 50 oz of water each day.

    I will pray that your condition improves.

    Will
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #8
    Nous Defions said:

    I hope it works
    P - I hope that the 2% lidocaine works for you. I will ask my doctor tomorrow.

    I managed to eat some Mac and cheese baby food today. It burned, but I just kept fighting through it. I keep praying that it will improve any second now.

    I am still able to drink at least 50 oz of water each day.

    I will pray that your condition improves.

    Will

    Hi Will...
    I can't offer any advice since I had a feeding tube in the stomach ...sorry for the pain....but your board friends are with you as you battle through... :)

    Whispered a prayer the pain and healing come faster for you ...

    Best,

    Tim
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #9
    Nous Defions said:

    I hope it works
    P - I hope that the 2% lidocaine works for you. I will ask my doctor tomorrow.

    I managed to eat some Mac and cheese baby food today. It burned, but I just kept fighting through it. I keep praying that it will improve any second now.

    I am still able to drink at least 50 oz of water each day.

    I will pray that your condition improves.

    Will

    Hi Will...
    I can't offer any advice since I had a feeding tube in the stomach ...sorry for the pain....but your board friends are with you as you battle through... :)

    Whispered a prayer the pain and healing come faster for you ...

    Best,

    Tim
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #10
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi Will...
    I can't offer any advice since I had a feeding tube in the stomach ...sorry for the pain....but your board friends are with you as you battle through... :)

    Whispered a prayer the pain and healing come faster for you ...

    Best,

    Tim

    Hope you are seeing
    Hope you are seeing improvement. The ability to continue swallowing water is huge according to my surgeon. I had a g-tube left in from surgery just in case I needed it but surgeon said if it got to the point where I could not swallow water to call him immediately. Thankfully, it did not come to that. Sounds like you are doing well with the water. Hydration and nutrition will help speed recovery. have you tried Ensure or Boost?
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #11
    phrannie51 said:

    That would have scared me half to death!!
    A tough night is an understatement, Will...

    Because my mouth is in such rough shape this week...the same Dr. who refilled my Magic Mouthwash yesterday, ordered me two bottles of pure Lidocaine today. I haven't tried it yet, just got home....but I've heard others on here who swear by it...that it's way better at numbing than the MM. Maybe ask your doc for Lidocaine 2% Visc Solution, so you can get some food down?

    p

    hey Phrannie
    Hold the Lidocaine in your mouth for as long as you can stand it. It takes time for the maximum numbing to happen.

    Deb

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