Hi 

ive been through exactly the same as you and all I can say is things do get easier but it will take time. I had radiotherapy on top of my neck dissection which caused severe burning so I have a very stiff and painful neck all the time. My taste is ok but things are different and some sweet things are just too horrible to eat now, like chocolate yuk! ( keeps me slim though!) my mouth does get sore quite a bit, depending on the food I eat so I have to manage that sensibly and brush my teeth well with Duraphat toothpaste on prescription. I'll never be the same but I have adapted well and know my new diet and limitations and my consultant is very pleased with me. Take care kind regards Carol

Hi Carol, 

I finished my 33 treatments of radiotherapy 3 weeks ago.  Thankfully my skin survived ok.  It only started to break out the last week and thankfully has recovered now.  The worst side effect for me so far is not being able to eat.  My mouth has been very swollen inside with ulcers so i havent been able to eat food since about my 4th week of treatment.  I have my appetite back but its still to painful to eat (i have tried and suffered).  I keep getting so frustrated about it because i love food.  Did you have this problem?  How long did it take before you were able to eat again?  The pain in my neck isnt too bad except in the mornings but it is very stiff.  I'm still on a lot of painkillers so thats maybe keeping the neck pain at ease.

Ruth

Hi Ruth

It's lovely to hear from you! Things get better with time, I finished my treatment at the end of May 2014 and was eating soft food by August, loosing my feeding tube in September. I started with scrambled eggs.   I managed a small Christmas diner but very slowly and without the grainy meat as it did,and still does get lodged in my throat due to my lack of saliva. Some foods make my mouth sore so I avoid ( fruit, sweet, fizz, chocolate) savoury tastes better for me but it's much weaker than it used to be. Don't use a hard toothbrush and make sure you only use prescribed " Duraphat " toothpaste as ordinary toothpaste will make it more sore. My neck is always stiff  and rubbish in the mornings too. Keep going you've done the hard part, now it's time for getting better, and it does every day. Always here for any worries take care Carol 

Hi Ruth

It's lovely to hear from you! Things get better with time, I finished my treatment at the end of May 2014 and was eating soft food by August, loosing my feeding tube in September. I started with scrambled eggs.   I managed a small Christmas diner but very slowly and without the grainy meat as it did,and still does get lodged in my throat due to my lack of saliva. Some foods make my mouth sore so I avoid ( fruit, sweet, fizz, chocolate) savoury tastes better for me but it's much weaker than it used to be. Don't use a hard toothbrush and make sure you only use prescribed " Duraphat " toothpaste as ordinary toothpaste will make it more sore. My neck is always stiff  and rubbish in the mornings too. Keep going you've done the hard part, now it's time for getting better, and it does every day. Always here for any worries take care Carol