hoarse talking

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thennies61
thennies61 Member Posts: 285
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi everyone..just curious if this is pretty normal.Been out of treatment now for about 2-1/2 months.Back to work feeling pretty good.Pet scan came back clear surgen pulled peg tube.He did have to stand on my chest he tied it to a door and closed it.Anyway do feel goos except no when I talk my voice is rather hoarse or raspy and wondering if that is commom.My mouth seems to always have fluid and have to spit to talk.Think that part is mainly because whatever I'm drinking isn't going all the way down.Surgen said that when we go for custom teeth the way they will made will help with that.But does seem thought is rather dry and my thinking is that is causing my voice to be that way or could be still some of the side effects of our friend Mr.Raditiaon..

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  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #2
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    Rads

    I blame rads for everything that's not quite right. Husky can sound sexy, I'm now 16 months from my surgery and 11 months from finishing rads and my mouth is just starting to feel normal again, like you I was either too dry or too wet. Things get better but it's slow progress. Have you had your throat checked maybe you have some scar tissue stopping your liquid going all the way down...

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Rad side effects

    No matter what it is the doctors will always tell you it is radiation side effects. This will be hard but you need to find an ENT that will sit down and listen to what you are telling them. I went through 9 or 10 ENT’s before I finally found one who will takes the time after every appointment to sit down and talk with me. Things should get a little better in the next few months, it will settle down to your new normal.

     

    Tim Hondo   

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #4
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    Hondo said:

    Rad side effects

    No matter what it is the doctors will always tell you it is radiation side effects. This will be hard but you need to find an ENT that will sit down and listen to what you are telling them. I went through 9 or 10 ENT’s before I finally found one who will takes the time after every appointment to sit down and talk with me. Things should get a little better in the next few months, it will settle down to your new normal.

     

    Tim Hondo   

    I actually noticed over the

    I actually noticed over the last couple of months from having to talk more at work.My surgen always sits and talks alittle bit.The radiation isn't to much help all he says is that I'm doing good without a tounge and have to tell I have one it's just different now.I have been told the more I swallow the better things will get.Just have to remeber not to drink alot before I talk to anyone as some of the liquid kind of floats in the mouth till I can get it back.But like my surgen says need to beaware now swllowing was so automatic.Might just be getting to impatient and wanting things to work faster then they are

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #5
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    Also thinking it might

    Also thinking it might because the swelling I still around that area and pressing against the vocal cords.Have been that will take time since some the nymph nodes have removed during surgery.Surgen did say that it was soft scare tissue that will slowly move out and should be pretty normal

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #6
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    Changes

    If things change after radiation then you have to assume that radiation is a factor. Exactly what is causing the specific problem should be explained by the doc no matter what it is inflammation to scar tissue. If we can gain a greater understanding of what's happening, we can adapt more easily and keep our frustrations low.

    In the radiation scheme of things, 2-12 months is not a long time. This type of treatment is highly effective but very abusive to the surrounding tissues. Takes time for the body to rebuild. Keep thinking in months and small steps. The greatest gains will be in those first few months but then it will start to slow until you hit a plateau. Took me about three years before I felt as if the recovery had topped out. Yet, here I am 7 years out and every now and then I'm surprised with yet another change. I've read that side effects of radiation can last up to ten years. See that as a positive - there's always room for improvement and gains.

    The old joke is why do you think they call us "patients" - we've been give the time so we should take the time...

    Hoping your recovery is swift and easy!

    - Jeff

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