Need advice/input with radiation/chemo side effects.

LASNYDER
LASNYDER Member Posts: 15 Member
in Esophageal Cancer #1

I am in the end of the 5th week of a 6 week radiation/chemo protocal for vocal cord cancer and need some insight from someone who has had my side effects. I am on Cisplatin chemo and IMRT radiation to my neck and lympnodes. My cnacer is stage 2 but being treated as if stage 3. I was faring well until about the beginning of week three when I had a few side effects arise that I am having difficulty dealing with. 

1st- Food all of a sudden started to taste bad- really bad- especially breads and meats. I understand that people have a bland or metallic sense of taste but mine is much more dramatic as anything I eat tastes horrible sometime almost to a gag reflex. I am now on smoothies- 1 box vanilla pure protein, half cup milk and a bannana/peanut butter. I am able to get this down its not pleasant.  

Voice has left- all I have is a whisper left- dr says will return when I begin to heal. 

Anyone had the food issue and how long did it last after completion of your treatments?  Voice return?

Comments

  • ddavis42303
    ddavis42303 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2020 #2
    Taste

    My husband is in week 6 of treatment.  He has the same issue, not even his coffee tastes good.  I have asked a friend who went through chemo and radiation last year and she said it began to get better about 3 weeks after completion of treatment and taste was back to normal a few weeks after that.  So, altogether 5-6 weeks for complete return.

     

  • LASNYDER
    LASNYDER Member Posts: 15 Member
    edited December 2020 #3
    ddavis42303 said:

    Taste

    My husband is in week 6 of treatment.  He has the same issue, not even his coffee tastes good.  I have asked a friend who went through chemo and radiation last year and she said it began to get better about 3 weeks after completion of treatment and taste was back to normal a few weeks after that.  So, altogether 5-6 weeks for complete return.

     

    couple more questions?

    I am in pretty high discomfort swallowing at this time. Pain swallowing kicked in to high around the middle of week four but now entering week 6 it's quite high a level whenever I swallow. probably a 7 on the pain scale. I try to get 3/4 gallon of fluids down every day and my meals are now protein shakes. Did your husband experience this similar pain and how long after the end of radiation did it begin to fade. I can keep it puched back a little with advil, doc perscribed oxycoden but I hate to take that for numerous reasons. 

    Thoughts?

    Larry

  • ddavis42303
    ddavis42303 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2020 #4
    LASNYDER said:

    couple more questions?

    I am in pretty high discomfort swallowing at this time. Pain swallowing kicked in to high around the middle of week four but now entering week 6 it's quite high a level whenever I swallow. probably a 7 on the pain scale. I try to get 3/4 gallon of fluids down every day and my meals are now protein shakes. Did your husband experience this similar pain and how long after the end of radiation did it begin to fade. I can keep it puched back a little with advil, doc perscribed oxycoden but I hate to take that for numerous reasons. 

    Thoughts?

    Larry

    couple more questions

    Thankfully, he did not have pain swallowing during treatment.  Before starting treatment, it was painful for him to eat anything except liquids ,but after two weeks of radiation he was able to swallow much better.  They warned him about the possibility of the treatment causing the issues you are having, but he didn't. He is able to swallow painfree but doesn't want to eat because of the taste issues.  He has to force himself to eat.   I don't blame you for not wanting to take the Oxy. We have a friend that nearly became addicted following hip surgery.   Does it make any difference whether you are eating cold or hot foods?  Is your treatment for six weeks?  If so, you are in the home stretch.

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    edited December 2020 #5
    LASNYDER said:

    couple more questions?

    I am in pretty high discomfort swallowing at this time. Pain swallowing kicked in to high around the middle of week four but now entering week 6 it's quite high a level whenever I swallow. probably a 7 on the pain scale. I try to get 3/4 gallon of fluids down every day and my meals are now protein shakes. Did your husband experience this similar pain and how long after the end of radiation did it begin to fade. I can keep it puched back a little with advil, doc perscribed oxycoden but I hate to take that for numerous reasons. 

    Thoughts?

    Larry

    Magic Mouthwash?

    Larry,

    Many people going through radiation therapy who have pain swallowing are prescribed a medication called "Magic Mouthwash". It is a mixture of several items including lidocane.

    The most common ingredients are diphenhydramine, viscous lidocaine, antacid, nystatin, and corticosteroids. Administration is usually 30 ml every 4–6 hours 

    You might talk to your oncologist about this to provide some relief.

    Regards,

    Paul

  • LASNYDER
    LASNYDER Member Posts: 15 Member
    edited December 2020 #6
    paul61 said:

    Magic Mouthwash?

    Larry,

    Many people going through radiation therapy who have pain swallowing are prescribed a medication called "Magic Mouthwash". It is a mixture of several items including lidocane.

    The most common ingredients are diphenhydramine, viscous lidocaine, antacid, nystatin, and corticosteroids. Administration is usually 30 ml every 4–6 hours 

    You might talk to your oncologist about this to provide some relief.

    Regards,

    Paul

    Magic Mouth

    I do have some magic mouthwash but am unable to get it coated on the deep vocal parts of my throat. At best I would say it knoks down the swallowing pain by 10-20%. But the entire rest of my mouth and lips are numb! I guess im just going to have to power through all this and wait for the side effects to wear off. I have no idea once i finish radiation how lonk it takes to start healing. Dr says 4 weeks- if thats the case its going to be a long month

  • LisaMK1
    LisaMK1 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2021 #7
    LASNYDER said:

    couple more questions?

    I am in pretty high discomfort swallowing at this time. Pain swallowing kicked in to high around the middle of week four but now entering week 6 it's quite high a level whenever I swallow. probably a 7 on the pain scale. I try to get 3/4 gallon of fluids down every day and my meals are now protein shakes. Did your husband experience this similar pain and how long after the end of radiation did it begin to fade. I can keep it puched back a little with advil, doc perscribed oxycoden but I hate to take that for numerous reasons. 

    Thoughts?

    Larry

    My dad was just diagnosed

    My dad was just diagnosed with Distal Esophageal cancer.  The RAD Dr told us about Aloe Vera juice.  He drinks 2 oz in the am and nothing on his throat for 15 minutes and 2oz at night.  They want the jucie to lay in his throat.  They have found some success with healing.  You can sip on it all day too.  DR recommends the non flavored stats shows it works the best.  My dad is only 1 week in for RAD and he had an allergic reaction a severe reaction to Taxol so they are changing the meds up next week.  He had Carboplatin last week and all was well. I hope the Aloe Vera juice works for you.  You can get it at WalMart close to the Boost area or Amazon has it as well.

  • Forherself
    Forherself Member Posts: 1,018 Member
    #8
    LASNYDER said:

    Magic Mouth

    I do have some magic mouthwash but am unable to get it coated on the deep vocal parts of my throat. At best I would say it knoks down the swallowing pain by 10-20%. But the entire rest of my mouth and lips are numb! I guess im just going to have to power through all this and wait for the side effects to wear off. I have no idea once i finish radiation how lonk it takes to start healing. Dr says 4 weeks- if thats the case its going to be a long month

    Visiting from the Uterine cancer board

    I was reading your story.  I am an RN and had to read it twice because something was puzzling me and I had to go back and reread.  You said you have vocal cord cancer.  The vocal cords are a separate "pipe" to your esophagus.  No wonder the mouthwash does not work, as when we swallow it would not go down your larynx which is where i am assuming your cancer is.  Something you inhale would be more effective.  I'm sorry if  I am missing something here.  I hope your month goes by without too. much pain.   I am assuming you do not like the feeling of a numb mouth and lips.  Can cold compresses help the pain?

     

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