Esophagus problems

basil
basil Member Posts: 5
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I just had my 10th treatment of 2 GY and am having a big problem with my
esophagus swallowing food. They gave me a med for taking just before eating and
this helps a little. Not enough.
I have had Gerd for 40 years and worry that this treatment will cause
cancer or Barretts in my esophagus.
I have no sores or breaks in my mouth, just at the opening of the esophagus
and pains to eat.

Comments

  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #2
    It's a Bear
    The last half of treatment is very painful. I took a dose of hydrocodone every four hours. I waited 20 minutes and then ate. Swallowing was very painful. It took almost a half hour to eat a carton of yogurt. I had to psych myself up for every swallow.

    The thing that helped a little was having everything at body temperature. Yogurt at body temperature was not as tasty, but it went down with less pain. Everyone is different, and this may not help.

    I tried to eat for about 90 minutes. When the eating period was over, I did not swallow at all. I spit into a tissue. This gave me almost 2 1/2 hours free of pain. The pain-free period allowed me to get thru the next 90 minutes of hell.

    I gained 8 pounds during the radiation. (Everyone was predicting that I would lose 30. The healthcare team's predictions just got me mad. "I'll show them who's going to lose and who's going to gain.) I ate every 4 hours, six "meals" per day.

    I can't really believe I did this: gain weight during radiation. And I'm not sure I could do it again.

    As far as cancer of the esophagus: I would not let pain during and immediately after radiation worry me. If the pain persists, that would be another matter. Rick.
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #3
    ToBeGolden said:

    It's a Bear
    The last half of treatment is very painful. I took a dose of hydrocodone every four hours. I waited 20 minutes and then ate. Swallowing was very painful. It took almost a half hour to eat a carton of yogurt. I had to psych myself up for every swallow.

    The thing that helped a little was having everything at body temperature. Yogurt at body temperature was not as tasty, but it went down with less pain. Everyone is different, and this may not help.

    I tried to eat for about 90 minutes. When the eating period was over, I did not swallow at all. I spit into a tissue. This gave me almost 2 1/2 hours free of pain. The pain-free period allowed me to get thru the next 90 minutes of hell.

    I gained 8 pounds during the radiation. (Everyone was predicting that I would lose 30. The healthcare team's predictions just got me mad. "I'll show them who's going to lose and who's going to gain.) I ate every 4 hours, six "meals" per day.

    I can't really believe I did this: gain weight during radiation. And I'm not sure I could do it again.

    As far as cancer of the esophagus: I would not let pain during and immediately after radiation worry me. If the pain persists, that would be another matter. Rick.

    Eating
    Suggest continuing to try different foods. What works one day may not work the next. Eggs seem to work well for many, as does milk.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #4
    hwt said:

    Eating
    Suggest continuing to try different foods. What works one day may not work the next. Eggs seem to work well for many, as does milk.

    Hi HWT...
    I could not help but notice your post and RonJ552002 posts titles "swallowing" ...you guys might can share some info (if I read it correctly and you both are having similar issues) ...

    Sorry I can not share or relate to your throat issues...

    Best,

    Tim
  • basil
    basil Member Posts: 5
    #5
    ToBeGolden said:

    It's a Bear
    The last half of treatment is very painful. I took a dose of hydrocodone every four hours. I waited 20 minutes and then ate. Swallowing was very painful. It took almost a half hour to eat a carton of yogurt. I had to psych myself up for every swallow.

    The thing that helped a little was having everything at body temperature. Yogurt at body temperature was not as tasty, but it went down with less pain. Everyone is different, and this may not help.

    I tried to eat for about 90 minutes. When the eating period was over, I did not swallow at all. I spit into a tissue. This gave me almost 2 1/2 hours free of pain. The pain-free period allowed me to get thru the next 90 minutes of hell.

    I gained 8 pounds during the radiation. (Everyone was predicting that I would lose 30. The healthcare team's predictions just got me mad. "I'll show them who's going to lose and who's going to gain.) I ate every 4 hours, six "meals" per day.

    I can't really believe I did this: gain weight during radiation. And I'm not sure I could do it again.

    As far as cancer of the esophagus: I would not let pain during and immediately after radiation worry me. If the pain persists, that would be another matter. Rick.

    esophagus
    Thanks for the information. I plan to see a Digestive Doc tomorrow to check
    my esophagus.

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