Hi Robert. Takes time I never lost taste but I had have Accentuated tastebuds which is just as bad. Everything fir me was hyper taste eg tiny bit salt tasted like the Mediterranean Sea. Rule of thumb turning point 6 weeks after treatment then around 12-13 weeks for me although one week I could eat something try week later or a chance. It's trial and error I found one step forward 2 steps back some weeks. Don't expect too much ftom c t scsn the pet scan is tge big one remember our cancers  do respond extremely well.  Treat recovery  as a marathon not a sprint and you'll get there. 
Hazel x

Matt

Please speak to your support team as it sounds like you really need to be on morphine.

Its a tough time but they should be able to manage the pain with the appropriate dose.

I was on morphine at same stage as you and I had to go on MST tablets as well as oralmorph for a top up as and when needed.
The MST tablets are taken once in morning and once at night, last 12 hrs and are therefore in your system 24 hours a day. They can also adjust the dose and strenghth of.

hoipefully they will be able to start on your pain relief pretty much immediate and co codomol wont really be enough to control in most cases. Most of us on here were on morphine and thats what its there for and should hopefully give you some comfort and avoid the severe pain you describe.
Ive also posted link to my blog that has timelines and doses during my treatment and recovery and hopefully this will help. Remember you may well need to continue morphine after treatment and during recovery for a bit

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

kind regards
Ian

Robert,

we are all different and probably various timelines as to food and weight.
Part of my blog goes into a detailed section from advice I had from my dietician.
can be confusing as I was told to up calories at one stage when losing weight by eating creamed puddings,full fast yoghurt etc to get calories ie fuel into body to help recovery.
I was then told to cut back on calories and eat more healily.

I was given really good advice on good and bad calories as they put it and when and when not to take.

I posted on this thread some time ago somewhere but prob quciker heading to my blog if you were interested.
I struggled with food for some time, was on ensures for ages and its slowely just started to come all back bit at a time and then whoo and hoooo I havnt looked back since and can eat lierally anything I want, including spicy curries. There is nothing I can think of that I cant eat now that I didnt used to and totally back to normal choice of eating.
I liked a quote that I was given and told that there is no elevator option for recovery and we all have to take the stairs. - but we do get there in the end.
I promise you will as well and just a time adjustment until you start enjoying food again rather than have food as a medicine ( which it is for a time )

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

kind regards
Ian

I couldn't have put this any better,although I'm 1 month behind your partner things have improved gradually, I can now eat crisps although I have my water next to me, last night I had my first curry, tongue/mouth tingled and I only eat half of it but another step in the right direction, for the guys who have now finished treatment you will get there,follow the advice of people on here I did and still do, but you have to be patient 

Hi Chrissy had your hubby had his dilation done yet ? Was thinking about him and you today. 
hugs Hazel xx

Hi 

yes Hubby did have the procedure. Unfortunately it hadn't works. He was told it might take 2-3 procedures to work! 
 

thank you 

Hi Chrissy. Bug not what you want to hear was hoping it worked first time for him fingers x for next time .

Hugs Hazel x

I'm sending Yoda healing hugs for the next time .Reminding ebp everyine  this month to remember ti get thyroid bloods checked annually as well. I'm one of lucky ones at leastb50% of us end up of thyroxine for under active thyroid. Ask ent consultants for referral for bloods ti get TSH  and t4 levels  checked. 

hugs Hazel 

Hi all

Just popped on to say hi and although I haven't commented recently I just wanted to mention that if anyone is having problems with swallowing- gastric pain post treatment- my hubby is 6 years post chemoradiation and neck dissection please get it checked out. Apparently you are more susceptible to Barratts Oesophagus- can be a precursor to oesophageal cancer - if you've had chemoradiation for head and neck cancer - and my hubby has recently been diagnosed with it. Luckily its only a short segment and only needs monitoring at present but just to make everyone aware its a risk factor. 
 

Anyway just thought Id mention it in this thread as Hazel was reminding everyone to get their Thyroid levels checked - hubby has a damaged thyroid too ! But as he says he's still here and living life to the full which is the main thing.

Onwards and upwards 

Good luck everyone xx

Emma