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Swallowing

Daisywoo
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Is there anything I can do to prepare myself should I have radiotherapy side effects that make it impossible to swallow.  Due to other medical issues I take a lot of medication and very concerned about not being able to swallow them.  I start radiotherapy on the 24th March and so far haven’t been given any contact at Macmillan to talk to.  Other clinical people I’ve spoken to tell me not to worry as it might not happen, however I’d like to be prepared as best I can.

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    Hi hubby has issue with swallowing so has lots of meds in liquid form instead so they go down easily .

    I think knowing helps people to feel more incontrol so its totally understandable 

    A pharmacist and or your  gp can tell you what alternatives to tablets there are 

    Hope this helps a little bit

    Also re food/nutrition I blitz  everything in the blender for hubby to texture he can manage

    Protein shakes etc are useful

    And baby/toddler sachets of fruit and yoguart were useful in early stages ...( Long life ones good to take out for emegencies)

    Soup of course

    Obviously your own circumstances will dictate what works for you 

    I hope your treatment goes as well as possible 

    Kind wishes 

  • Offline in reply to Rhubarbdragon

    Thank you so much for your reply, really good suggestions, will discuss liquid medications with go, again thank you.

  • Hi there and thanks for the post

    I am sorry to hear about your upcoming treatment and the concerns you have about side effects.

    As others have said on here there are often liquid alternatives of medications that patients can take when the swallowing is affected. A soft diet is recommended to make things easier but if needed a nasogastric or peg feeding tube can be inserted to ensure adequate nutrition when absolutely necessary. The team involved in your treatment will be monitoring you frequently through treatment to make sure any side effects can be best managed.

    There is more information about side effects of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer on the website, so do take a look, if you haven't already.

    I hope this is helpful but do get back in touch if needed.

    All the best

    Take care

    Naomi

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