cheval

My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you

Hi Rip,
Thanks for your response. Am I right in understanding that an esophageal dilation is done by a series of endoscopies? In that case, my husband would not be able to have this done because his doctors could not even get a pediatric endosocope down his throat.

Thank you for the response. My husband only had radiation--no chemo, no surgery. What exactly is esophageal dilatation? Is it out patient? What happens? This might be something that could work for him b/c he really does not want the feeding tube.

My husband had head and neck cancer many years ago but because of the amount of radiation given to him, he now cannot swallow and what he can get down,is going into his lung. He will be getting a feeding tube put in by an interventional radiologist because they cannot get down through the throat. Has anyone had this done and how is it? He had a tube before and was happy when it came out. He really doesn't want to do this....

Thank you

Thank you for the information. You are very brave and I hope it all works out for you. Will you be having this surgery soon?

Cheval

Hi, You are in a place much worse than my husband and I am sorry but as you said you do not wish to die and that is a good thing. I think that my husband has given up. If it is not too much, could you tell me more about this surgery. What is it called and will they be opening up your throat to allow you to eat again?  We are on the East coast--what about you? I wish you the best

Cheval

Hi, The treatment that my husband had was back in 1989-90 and I am sure that  a lot has improved since then. He had double daily doses of radiation and it did save his life but he is paying for it now. He lost his hearing, saliva, had lots of tooth decay, and of course, now, he can not swallow food. At the time, they did what they had to, but his quality of life now is not good. Anyways, there isn't anything I can say to you except that progressive in treatment has advanced and I hope you will not have any problems.

cheval

Hi, My husband had head and neck cancer  19 years ago and was treated with radical radiation. After, he was fine and could eat almost anything but about 4 years ago he started chocking on most foods. He had to get a feeding tube because the radiation destroyed his ability to swallow. When they did an endoscopy, they couldn't even get a child's scope down to see what was going on in his throat. Now, my husband is tired of having the tube and he insisted that it be taken out. I was against it, but the doctors did what he wanted. He now lives on ice cream and oatmeal. Has anyone else had this problem and is there any kind of surgery to open up the throat or clear it out? My husband is getting too thin but he doesn't want the tube back. I would appreciate any kind of help.

Thank you,