Swallowing and gagging years after radiation?

HN_survivor
HN_survivor Member Posts: 1
edited November 2020 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Has anyone experienced subtle swallowing diffculties... or more like chocking on food/gagging while eating years after finishing treatment? 

It especially happens when I talk or laugh while chewing. 

I finished high dose radiation and chemo for head and neck 3 years ago. I had different types of swallowing problems initially, but I don't remember having this issue before. It seems subtle but surely consistent. 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    edited November 2020 #2
    I have had similar issues in

    I have had similar issues in the last eleven years and found that it best to concentrate on chewing and swallowing and staying away from conversation while eating. Especially with things like licorice, gummy candy and dry foods, they seem to be an issue. I don't have an epiglotis which is the main reason I have to be careful. Being three years out you body may still be going through changes. I remember them telling me in about a year after treatment will be the new normal but I can recall still going through changes years afterwards.

    Heal on

          Jeff

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    edited November 2020 #3
    Changes will occur for years...

    after treatment.  I'm 3 years out and this happens to me every once in a while...  It's typically because I'm doing as you suggest...talking/laughing with too much food in my mouth...just not paying attention and will get a little food stuck somewhere.  Little coughing and it's over.

    Mine isn't consistent though....happens super random for me.  

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 478 Member
    edited November 2020 #4
    HN,

    I'm 16 months out, and still run food down the wrong place once in a while. It seems to happen when I'm distracted - talking to someone and laughing!

    I suspect it's from saliva glands that don't have quite the same output they once did.

    I'm in the habit of always having water handy - so after a brief coughing fit, it's not a problem.

    I hope you're doing better!

    mg

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 727 Member
    edited November 2020 #5
    Trouble

    Yes, I too have trouble 8 years later.  My rads were low dose at 57gy's but I still have to chew and swallow slowly.  A coughing fit can last up to 15 minutes because the food gets stuck and nothing dislodges it except coughing.  Mine can also be attributed to surgery so I'm not so sure which one is responsible.  Probably both.

    Keep water close by and do what your parents said when we were kids.  Chew your food 100 times before swallowing!!  Yea, right!

  • Darkdancer333
    Darkdancer333 Member Posts: 115 Member
    edited November 2020 #6
    Ditto

    I am 2.5 years post and still choke on foods, mucus and scratchy throat at times. My doctor says this is all normal. Just shows the brutal beatdown of radiation effects. I forgot to mention brain cramps which he says is normal

  • ERomanO
    ERomanO Member Posts: 317 Member
    edited November 2020 #7
    Occasionally a dry throat

    Occasionally a dry throat will catch a piece of food that isn't lubricated enough to slide on down, but it's never far enough down to be a choking event.  Talking while chewing food is never a good idea.  I recall learning this wen I was young, teching it to my kids as they were growing and eventually had to remind my mom when she got older.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    edited November 2020 #8
    My ENT

    Told me - do NOT stop the swallowing exercises - You don't get Cancer, get better and hey presto, its gone - side effects will follow you.

    Do the neck stretches, do the hard swallowing, don't stop just because you have NED

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #9
    Yes

    I am 10 years out and continue to have problems.  My SCC was base of tongue with bi-lateral loco-regional spread so I received the maximum possible dose of radiation to both sides of the face, neck and chest.  Still very little saliva, and I learned early on which foods to avoid. No episodes of choke, but I continue to have food boluses get stuck part way down.  Multiple swallowing tests and swallow therapy.  My swallow is disorganized and I don't have peristaltic muscle contractions in my esophagus.  I was basically told there was nothing that could be done to improve things, always keep a beverage ready to hand, and pay attention when I eat.  I do have issues if I speak, laugh, or turn my head when I am trying to complete a swallow.

    Deb

  • Molly'sMom
    Molly'sMom Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2020 #10
    Thick mucus solution

    My husband had a second bout of oropharynx cancer.  First bout was 7 years ago, and he was treated with radiation and chemo.  This time radiation was not an option and he had partial flap surgery in August.  Doc says healing looks good. Still has a trach and a g-tube.  He can swallow liquids and is trying to move on to creamy soups but is plagued by thick mucus that only worsen after he has eaten these.  Any advice or suggestions for diminishing the mucus?  

  • Ag123
    Ag123 Member Posts: 54 Member
    edited January 2021 #11
    I think it's very common and

    I think it's very common and can be delibitating for years after radiation. My dad still ocattionally chokes and experiences swallowing diffculty.

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