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Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?
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Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?

  • Post
    • February 5, 2015 at 4:13 am
    arthurjedi007
    Participant

      Dunno if anyone has had this and more importantly something that helped with it.

      For about a week it hurts every time I swallow. It's like the top left part of I guess the Adams apple part or whatever is the swallow part about the size of the end of my little finger just hurts every time I swallow. You would think with all my other more serious issues I got going on this would be nothing but it is the one driving me crazy.

      I assume it was caused by the radiation because they were right next to my throat like less than a eighth inch. I thought it would have started getting better by now because they ended radiation to that area almost a week ago.

      Sorry to bother with such a minor problem.

      Artie

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 5, 2015 at 8:35 am
        Owl
        Participant

          Hi Artie,

          I remember this problem when my husband was radiated in the neck area over 6 weeks. He couldn't swallow and it hurt a lot. It got worse at the time he lost taste and he only drank instant soups for quite a while (that he actually hates). He said it was the only think that didn't taste like cardboard. Against the swallowing pain he tried a local anaestethics, substance is called oxetacain. It didn't help a lot because that (for him) tasted disgusting and with all the other problems he had he only tried it one day. But maybe such kind of anaestethics will help you. By the way it took a couple of weeks until the pain was gone. It took much longer for the taste to come back.

          All the best to you, Jenny

          • February 5, 2015 at 8:35 am
          Owl
          Participant

            Hi Artie,

            I remember this problem when my husband was radiated in the neck area over 6 weeks. He couldn't swallow and it hurt a lot. It got worse at the time he lost taste and he only drank instant soups for quite a while (that he actually hates). He said it was the only think that didn't taste like cardboard. Against the swallowing pain he tried a local anaestethics, substance is called oxetacain. It didn't help a lot because that (for him) tasted disgusting and with all the other problems he had he only tried it one day. But maybe such kind of anaestethics will help you. By the way it took a couple of weeks until the pain was gone. It took much longer for the taste to come back.

            All the best to you, Jenny

            • February 5, 2015 at 8:35 am
            Owl
            Participant

              Hi Artie,

              I remember this problem when my husband was radiated in the neck area over 6 weeks. He couldn't swallow and it hurt a lot. It got worse at the time he lost taste and he only drank instant soups for quite a while (that he actually hates). He said it was the only think that didn't taste like cardboard. Against the swallowing pain he tried a local anaestethics, substance is called oxetacain. It didn't help a lot because that (for him) tasted disgusting and with all the other problems he had he only tried it one day. But maybe such kind of anaestethics will help you. By the way it took a couple of weeks until the pain was gone. It took much longer for the taste to come back.

              All the best to you, Jenny

                • February 5, 2015 at 12:52 pm
                tschmith
                Participant

                  Artie, I hope you feel better soon.  I haven't had this issue yet… so I don't have any words of wisdom.  Just wanted you to know you have my support and remain in my prayers.  Do you still have the choking sensation?

                  All my best…Terrie

                  • February 6, 2015 at 12:45 am
                  arthurjedi007
                  Participant

                    I thought the choking was gone but last night I just took a sip of water and started choking like crazy so I dunno.

                    Artie

                    • February 6, 2015 at 12:45 am
                    arthurjedi007
                    Participant

                      I thought the choking was gone but last night I just took a sip of water and started choking like crazy so I dunno.

                      Artie

                      • February 6, 2015 at 12:45 am
                      arthurjedi007
                      Participant

                        I thought the choking was gone but last night I just took a sip of water and started choking like crazy so I dunno.

                        Artie

                        • February 5, 2015 at 12:52 pm
                        tschmith
                        Participant

                          Artie, I hope you feel better soon.  I haven't had this issue yet… so I don't have any words of wisdom.  Just wanted you to know you have my support and remain in my prayers.  Do you still have the choking sensation?

                          All my best…Terrie

                          • February 5, 2015 at 12:52 pm
                          tschmith
                          Participant

                            Artie, I hope you feel better soon.  I haven't had this issue yet… so I don't have any words of wisdom.  Just wanted you to know you have my support and remain in my prayers.  Do you still have the choking sensation?

                            All my best…Terrie

                          • February 5, 2015 at 1:38 pm
                          marta010
                          Participant

                            Artie – I would urge you to have an ENT specialist take a close look at your throat.  My husband had radiation to the lymph nodes on the right side of his neck which resulted in severe damage to the inside of his mouth/jaw.  The area was not visible and the ENT could only see it with an endoscopy camera.  You might also ask for a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" which contains lidocane.  Take care.

                            • February 5, 2015 at 1:38 pm
                            marta010
                            Participant

                              Artie – I would urge you to have an ENT specialist take a close look at your throat.  My husband had radiation to the lymph nodes on the right side of his neck which resulted in severe damage to the inside of his mouth/jaw.  The area was not visible and the ENT could only see it with an endoscopy camera.  You might also ask for a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" which contains lidocane.  Take care.

                              • February 5, 2015 at 1:38 pm
                              marta010
                              Participant

                                Artie – I would urge you to have an ENT specialist take a close look at your throat.  My husband had radiation to the lymph nodes on the right side of his neck which resulted in severe damage to the inside of his mouth/jaw.  The area was not visible and the ENT could only see it with an endoscopy camera.  You might also ask for a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" which contains lidocane.  Take care.

                                • February 5, 2015 at 5:31 pm
                                Bubbles
                                Participant

                                  Hey Artie,

                                  Sorry you have ONE MORE THING to have to deal with.  Sometimes the "little" things….though I don't think this is so little…can be the most annoying!  It probably is related to your radiation, but I think the advice to check in with your doc and possibly an ENT to see what can be done to help…or possibly change the trajectory of the radiation, if that is ongoing….is sound.  Wishing you better quick!  Celeste

                                  • February 5, 2015 at 5:31 pm
                                  Bubbles
                                  Participant

                                    Hey Artie,

                                    Sorry you have ONE MORE THING to have to deal with.  Sometimes the "little" things….though I don't think this is so little…can be the most annoying!  It probably is related to your radiation, but I think the advice to check in with your doc and possibly an ENT to see what can be done to help…or possibly change the trajectory of the radiation, if that is ongoing….is sound.  Wishing you better quick!  Celeste

                                    • February 5, 2015 at 5:31 pm
                                    Bubbles
                                    Participant

                                      Hey Artie,

                                      Sorry you have ONE MORE THING to have to deal with.  Sometimes the "little" things….though I don't think this is so little…can be the most annoying!  It probably is related to your radiation, but I think the advice to check in with your doc and possibly an ENT to see what can be done to help…or possibly change the trajectory of the radiation, if that is ongoing….is sound.  Wishing you better quick!  Celeste

                                      • February 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm
                                      arthurjedi007
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks everyone. Both radiation technicians knew exactly what I was talking about too. They said it was probably their doing with the radiation. Should clear up in 7 to 10 days. I've had enough medicine so I'll tough this out. Finally down to only the pain patch so I feel crummy but not as crummy as that stuff made me feel. So tomorrow is day 7 since they completed that area. I'll give it another 7 days and if still not I'll take some of this advice especially that camera. I remember them talking about doing that earlier but they opted for the swallow test first.

                                        So tomorrow is my last radiation. It is to my hip. This has been a lot of radiation. I went in for one spot and ended up with three. Really wiping me out and I wasn't in great health before. I think it will be worth it in the long run though. I just hope the keytruda keeps working so I can get strong enough for a trial.

                                        Thanks again.

                                        Artie

                                        • February 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm
                                        arthurjedi007
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks everyone. Both radiation technicians knew exactly what I was talking about too. They said it was probably their doing with the radiation. Should clear up in 7 to 10 days. I've had enough medicine so I'll tough this out. Finally down to only the pain patch so I feel crummy but not as crummy as that stuff made me feel. So tomorrow is day 7 since they completed that area. I'll give it another 7 days and if still not I'll take some of this advice especially that camera. I remember them talking about doing that earlier but they opted for the swallow test first.

                                          So tomorrow is my last radiation. It is to my hip. This has been a lot of radiation. I went in for one spot and ended up with three. Really wiping me out and I wasn't in great health before. I think it will be worth it in the long run though. I just hope the keytruda keeps working so I can get strong enough for a trial.

                                          Thanks again.

                                          Artie

                                          • February 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm
                                          arthurjedi007
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks everyone. Both radiation technicians knew exactly what I was talking about too. They said it was probably their doing with the radiation. Should clear up in 7 to 10 days. I've had enough medicine so I'll tough this out. Finally down to only the pain patch so I feel crummy but not as crummy as that stuff made me feel. So tomorrow is day 7 since they completed that area. I'll give it another 7 days and if still not I'll take some of this advice especially that camera. I remember them talking about doing that earlier but they opted for the swallow test first.

                                            So tomorrow is my last radiation. It is to my hip. This has been a lot of radiation. I went in for one spot and ended up with three. Really wiping me out and I wasn't in great health before. I think it will be worth it in the long run though. I just hope the keytruda keeps working so I can get strong enough for a trial.

                                            Thanks again.

                                            Artie

                                            • February 6, 2015 at 11:06 am
                                            Owl
                                            Participant

                                              Hi Artie,

                                              sounds like a good plan as long as it does not bother you too much. I cross my fingers that this problem will resolve in a couple of days. Though it is a minor problem you should be able to enjoy eating.

                                              Wish you that things will get easier for you, it is such a tough road.

                                              All the best, Jenny

                                              • February 6, 2015 at 11:06 am
                                              Owl
                                              Participant

                                                Hi Artie,

                                                sounds like a good plan as long as it does not bother you too much. I cross my fingers that this problem will resolve in a couple of days. Though it is a minor problem you should be able to enjoy eating.

                                                Wish you that things will get easier for you, it is such a tough road.

                                                All the best, Jenny

                                                • February 6, 2015 at 11:06 am
                                                Owl
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Artie,

                                                  sounds like a good plan as long as it does not bother you too much. I cross my fingers that this problem will resolve in a couple of days. Though it is a minor problem you should be able to enjoy eating.

                                                  Wish you that things will get easier for you, it is such a tough road.

                                                  All the best, Jenny

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