Self Dialations

rdbaughman
rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Has anyone heard of self dialations? My doctor is wanting me to try this for my next dialation & i'm not sure how I feel about this. It's supposed to be a tube filled with murcury that I can self dialate with. I'm a laragectomee so there won't be a problem with the airway as I breath through my stoma. If anyone has any information about this self dialation I sure would like to hear from you.
Thank's, Roger

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    Interesting
    Wonder why it's mercury in the tube. Sorry, but I have no info on self-dilation - this is the first I've heard of it. If you decide to give it a go, it'd be great to hear how it works for you.
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #3
    Pam M said:

    Interesting
    Wonder why it's mercury in the tube. Sorry, but I have no info on self-dilation - this is the first I've heard of it. If you decide to give it a go, it'd be great to hear how it works for you.

    Giving it a try
    HI Pam,
    I'm going to give it a try because if it works I figure it will be something that will save a lot of time & expence. I'm scheduled for another SWALLOW TEST next Monday & will then meet up with my Doctor after that & give this a try. I'll be sure to Post the outcome.
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #4
    Pam M said:

    Interesting
    Wonder why it's mercury in the tube. Sorry, but I have no info on self-dilation - this is the first I've heard of it. If you decide to give it a go, it'd be great to hear how it works for you.

    Giving it a try
    HI Pam,
    The reasom behind the Murcery is for weight of the tube.
  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #5
    rdbaughman said:

    Giving it a try
    HI Pam,
    The reasom behind the Murcery is for weight of the tube.

    Mercury
    I would be concerned about what would happen if the tube broke and the mercury released. I have an "old school" gastroenterologist who mentioned that they used to do this years ago. I ruled it out for me because of my gag reflex. I just can't imagine doing it to yourself. One idiot anesthesiologist used ketamine on me once. I was not completely "under" and can remember fighting them trying to get the tube out of my mouth. Keep us informed if you do try it. I am desperate to find some method to keep my stricture open. Good luck!
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #6
    No Swallow Test Yet?
    I am also a laryngectomee, with a restricted esophagus. Many foods will get stuck if I don't chew them thoroughly. But i've gotten very diligent about chewing and food gets stuck only about once a month. When it does get stuck, I can cough it up without too much of a problem. I also have a fresh juice and protein drink almost every day.

    I never had a dilation, yet. How bad are your symptoms, may I ask? Does the restriction get worse or better over time? And what is the swallow test? Just seeing whether or not you can swallow? Or are pills of different sizes used?

    Just curious. Rick.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #7
    ToBeGolden said:

    No Swallow Test Yet?
    I am also a laryngectomee, with a restricted esophagus. Many foods will get stuck if I don't chew them thoroughly. But i've gotten very diligent about chewing and food gets stuck only about once a month. When it does get stuck, I can cough it up without too much of a problem. I also have a fresh juice and protein drink almost every day.

    I never had a dilation, yet. How bad are your symptoms, may I ask? Does the restriction get worse or better over time? And what is the swallow test? Just seeing whether or not you can swallow? Or are pills of different sizes used?

    Just curious. Rick.

    My Swallow Test
    Involved swallowing liquid, thickened liquid, pudding and cracker. Was pretty cool - with the barium, I could watch the xray, and see my body chewing and swallowing (or not) the items. I had one dilation, months after treatment (doc figured since I'd be out for PEG removal, he'd do the dilation then if needed). Yep - I was OUT for PEG removal - not turn your head while tube's jerked out for me - my doc thought patients needed to be out for removal.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Roger
    Very interesting I must say but I too voice concern about the use of mercury in anything use in the body. I had a Swallowing test done last week that showed all the problems I have with aspiration, the doctors are planning to Deep Pharyngeal Nerve Stimulation to see if that will help me swallow again, I am hoping that it works. I have been out of treatment for about 6 ½ years now and never had a dilation yet, not sure why but doctors are afraid of giving me more problems than good I think.

    All the best
    Hondo

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