7 rads to go and....

spector551

I have been plagued by a terrible gag reflex that now has be basically mute. Talking makes it happen and I have to drink water a million times just to say a few things. To me, it seems to be mostly in my head - like mentally I just can't get past the swollen feeling of my tongue and throat. They don't even hurt very much... it is just the feeling. I can't do any thing without gaging/dry heaving.

How many of you dealt with this and was there any way to deal with it?

 

God bless,

Jamie

PJ47

I have 8 more rads to go

I do not know the answer, but it sounds horrible.  Do you take any anti-emetics?  There must be something the Docs can offer.  I am getting more mucous and have a very sore throat now and a cough that woke me up.  Barely endured the new Hobbit movie with my brother last night.  My feeding tube T-fasteners were poking my in the rib the entire time.  Are you still eating?  Hang in there we are almost to the end of Rads.  I will be done the day after Christmas due to all my feeding tube surgery problems/hospitalization/etc. which suspended my treatment.  

If the mucous gets a lot worse for me and makes me gag, I will ask for a suction machine to use at home.  I had one in the hospital after my surgery and it worked well to clear out the mucous.  I wanted to take it home with me as I almost choked on my mucous a couple of times.

Take care and you are in my prayers,

 

PJ

CivilMatt

almost there

Jamie,

You see the size of that machine they are using on you?  It is doing a trip to your tongue and throat and anything which gets in the way.  You are going to increase your mental prowess as you learn to adapt to the new normal.  While I am nowhere near your condition, now at 21 months post, my tongue still feels funky.   I went through the gagging and dry heaves, no voice, low voice, raspy voice.  I use to position my head on my pillow for maximum air intake.  The way I see it today is my throat just isn’t as flexible as it once was.

Keep working the problems, shortly after you finish treatments life, health, throat, tongue, mental acuity will all get better.  Did you remember to get a H&N clock, because time moves very slow in H&N land.

Best of luck,

Matt

phrannie51

Matt hit the nail

on the head.  Your mouth is going through changes....and it takes a while for your brain to catch up.....Anxiety can also be playing a role in making you more gaggy....hell....worrying about gagging can make you gag.  Did they give you Ativan (lorazapam) to have on hand?  I wonder if taking one after rads if you're not taking one before rads might relax you enough that the gagging might lessen?

On the up side....YOU'RE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS!!!!  Whoo Hoo......almost done!!!!

p

Steve5

Thinking of you

Thinking and praying for you - almost done - you can do it - I will keep you in my prayers -

Steve

j4mie

Pat went through this...

It seemed to be his number one complaint throughout his treatment. He finally ended up alternating taking Ativan (anti-anxiety) and Ondesteron (anti-nausea). This helped him to at least feel a little better, making the last few weeks bearable. He is now about 3.5 weeks post treatment, still has the gagging, but it has gotten much, much better. Hang in there Jamie, I know it's hard to believe right now, but soon you will be done and on the road to healing.

Jamie