Physical therapy for neck and swallow concerns

Options
MJG1
MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband finished 35 rads and 12 chemos over a 16 week timeframe for Squamous Cell Carcinoma stage 4-A  and it was HPV positive

Now that we're finished with treatment we're being sent to physical therapy to prevent Lymphodema and to show my husband how to do neck stretches so that he doesn't lose range of motion years out.

We're also being sent for a swallow study to monitor his ability to swallow. 

Has anyone else experienced these?

Thanks,

Margi Greene

St. Charles, MO

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    edited January 2017 #2
    Options
    Lymphedema

    MJG1, 

    I got Lymphedema several weeks after I completed my Radiation treatments. I was sent to a Physical Therapist trained in Lymphedema massages. After learning how to do it by myself from the Therapist, I am able to handle any swelling I might get in my face and neck areas whenever I do any heavy lifting.

    I did not have the swallow study as I knew at the beginning I would have issues and work around it as I have no saliva what so ever. I stick to moist foods and a lot of fluids to get everything down.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here 

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    edited January 2017 #3
    Options
    Edema

    Margi,

    Yes, I had PT for edema, it was very pleasant and I was taught how to do it.

    I did go to see a speech therapist to increase my volume and clarity, it worked very well.  While at speech my swallowing was observed and I was found to be ok.  After all, I had been drinking 10 glasses of water a day since the beginning of treatments.

    Your husband should enjoy it.

    Matt

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    #4
    Options
    Swallow exercises

    Husband had Peg tube from start, and still has 5 years later.  Radiation damaged all muscles in neck.  He did exercises religously.  Because of this, he has limited ability to swallow some liquids.  Under the circumstances, it was VERY effective.  I cannot imagine if he were unable to enjoy any food...  I believe it also helped with his speech.  They were quite easy.

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #5
    Options
    3 Exercises I have to do

    Years after treatment they found that I was havnig silent aspirations.  They did a swallow study and then recommended the following exercises.  I believe they have helped to some extent.

    1.  With liquid in mouth swallow until all liquid is thought to be down.  Then clear throat and swallow again.

    2. Do hard swallows while eating to move the food down.

    3. With nothing in mouth keep teeth and lips apart and swallow. The more open the mouth the harder the exercise.

    These are what were recommended for me, and it might be different based upon where the muscles are not functioning properly.

  • MJG1
    MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #6
    Options
    SASH said:

    3 Exercises I have to do

    Years after treatment they found that I was havnig silent aspirations.  They did a swallow study and then recommended the following exercises.  I believe they have helped to some extent.

    1.  With liquid in mouth swallow until all liquid is thought to be down.  Then clear throat and swallow again.

    2. Do hard swallows while eating to move the food down.

    3. With nothing in mouth keep teeth and lips apart and swallow. The more open the mouth the harder the exercise.

    These are what were recommended for me, and it might be different based upon where the muscles are not functioning properly.

    Thanks Everyone!!

    Thanks to all of you for responses. It's helpful!!

  • cbeaz4626
    cbeaz4626 Member Posts: 35
    #7
    Options
    Did them both

    The physical therapy was great.  They will teach you both all that you need to know to help improve range of motion and the massage is nice too!! I do the stretches and massage but do still find that my neck area is tight.  Looking side to side is fine but looking up seems to be the most difficult.

    The swallow study is easy.  They give you different types of things to swallow with barium coating on it (taste kind chalky like mylanta) and they have you swallow while they watch on a machine to see how it functions.  They are also looking for pin holes of leakage if your husband had surgery.  I find I dont have too manay problems swallowing but I lost 1/2 my tongue with the cancer so getting food back to the area where I can swallow is a challange.  The half of my tongue that they took they replaced with a skin graft from my forearm.  Getting used to that has been hard.  I drink a lot of smoothies these days.  I also find that liquids tend to pool in the back of my throat in the morning....they told me its normal so I don't drink much first thing in the morning, as the day goes on that improves.

Discussion Boards