messaging you Hazel xx

Hey Hazel and all

Hope you don’t mind me reviving this chat again... wondering if you knew any ways round keeping food down during treatment ... im at end week 3 and the feeling in my throat now causes me to gag and bring up food ... not helpful !! Can’t find anyone else on thread who had same. Thanks for any advice and hope you are well 

Kat 

Hi Kat

I stuggled with food for quite a bit and although I didnt have a PEG fitted I was on supplement drinks (Ensure)  for a while. Not ideal but you need fuel in your body.
I stated many times here and in my blog that I used to look at food as medication and to help rather than something to enjoy.

That said, I know how difficult it is sometimes and its hard for others to understand that we know we need to eat but sometimes we just cant.
Maybe chat your support team as you maybe able to get some medication for anti sickness/nausea and they will have come across this and be able to assess and advise.
At end week 3 I seem to remember trying rice puddings,full fat yoghurt etc and things that are easier to swallow but still keep the calorie intake.

Not sure if you have read blog but I have posted again for ease of reference

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

Kind regards
Ian

Hi Kat 

it does happen I was lucky didn't happen to nr. Are you religiously doing your swallow exercises? If not try them they do help. You can ask for a swallow test to be done . It's a vicious circus you need to sun for 85 g of protein 2-3 litres of water and 2500 calories every day by any means. If you're peg fed use that otherwise forget trying to eat 3 sq meals it's 6 small ones or 6 ensure s will give you 1800 calories. That's the main thjng. Are you using a nebuliser that will help if you e still got mucus 

good luck come bsck if you've anythjng else remember it's early days takes a while for everything to settle down 

Hazel  x

That's a  new one on me I did swallow exercises each and every day through treatment never had any issues swallowing. As for burning calories Umm you stand in from if a mirror. Big well good luck

Hazel xx

Hi H

maybe I’ll find some online ...how many times a day did you do them ? 

X

I'm with Hazel on the swallowing exercises.

All the advice I was given was to ensure that I did my swallowing exercises before,during and after treatment as they help promote recovery and will get you using throat muscles etc

As for burning calories by opening month,sticking tongue out etc????

The swallowing exercises have a point to them and not correlated with eating and calories.
I think most people on here were encouraged to keep up wityh swallowing exercises to reap the benefits.

Maybe mention again as sounds advice at odds with other professionals that were involved in my treatment.

regards
Ian

Hi Kat. I don't often get on here but Hazel showed me your post. The asthma shouldn't be an issue....I have it and had 30 RTs for base of tongue cancer. If you are worried about it and your asthma is the type which flares, tell your team because you should be able to get a nebuliser free and maybe a change of treatment. Do you use a steroid inhaler?

As for the swallowing exercises you might be best served by twelling your consultant because SALT should not be advising they are unecessary

Dani xx

Hi Kat 

to get honest I did them regularly took about 5 mins did them at least 8-10 times a day often in car whije hubby was driving it even while watching tv. 
if you put swallow exercises for head and neck cancer patients in the Royal  Berkshire hospital site has excellent ones. The forceful swallow one is really good   If I were you I would mention to consultant xx