Trouble swallowing

[gsun]

I am having problems swallowing - not that I can't - but the food does not go down as it used to. I get hiccups, have to drink water, etc. I am trying to chew longer and that helps. I am on Lupron and Zytiga. Anyone else have the same issue? No radiation yet.

[Foldem]

wow. I have the same symptoms! I chalked it up to the throat cancer I beat in 2014, where radiation destroyed my thyroid and most of my saliva. Now I’ll talk to my doctor about it. If he has ideas, I’ll get back to you.

[gsun in reply to Foldem]

please do

[lowT163]

if you are not sure it’s pc related look at possibility it’s GERD related. Heartburn causes this issue for me.

[gsun in reply to lowT163]

Never had heartburn in my life.

[lowT163 in reply to gsun]

probably not that then.

[Hidden in reply to gsun]

You can suffer from GERD without experiencing Heartburn symptoms

[Baldylocks]

please see your ENT right away. The symptoms you describe are very similar to those of my late brother. I hope with all hope the best for you.

[gsun in reply to Baldylocks]

Was that the cause of his death?

[Baldylocks in reply to gsun]

I guess I responded to the wrong person, apologies. Here is my response to your question asked.

It lead to him being put on life support until his family decision to remove him from it. Not yet a year so your symptoms struck a cord. Sadly a diagnosis wasn’t made because he went from emergency status to coma.Yes, my intention is to alarm you because it may be that serious. Please get to your doctor and describe every detail to him/her.

[wat380bjw]

I have the same symptoms. My PCP told me my throat has a coating of mucus because of allergies. Give it some time to see if it goes away. If not Endoscopy to see what is happening. Keep us posted please!!!!

[Baldylocks in reply to wat380bjw]

It lead to him being put on life support until his family decision to remove him from it. Not yet a year so your symptoms struck a cord. Sadly a diagnosis wasn’t made because he went from emergency status to coma.

Yes, my intention is to alarm you because it may be that serious. Please get to your doctor and describe every detail to him/her.

[Sunlight12]

See if "dysphagia" matches your symptoms. The muscles in the the throat/esophagus that move food can get weak or not function properly, which causes this. I found gentle massage/craniosacral therapy in the area to help. (Note: mine was not caused by PCa/lupron though. That said, since lupron can cause muscle weakness, my guess would be that the lupron may be affecting those muscles). There are also exercises (research exercises to address snoring) that can build strength in the throat muscles, which might be useful. And, as mentioned above, an ENT should be able to give you more information/suggestions.

-Sunlight

[de-luke]

I use coconut oil to help with dry mouth. And it coats the throat, about 1/4 teaspoon.

[Heykm01]

Prior to my APC, I lived with swallowing troubles for many years - dysphagia as Sunlight12 says. Dense protein (steak, chicken breast, dry pork loin) would every now and then get 'stuck', sometimes for hours, sometimes sending me to the hospital. A GE took care of my problem with a dilation procedure, plus I take a daily PPI (prilosec). Haven't had any issues for >2 years.

As recommended above, see an ENT / GE.

[Baldylocks]

The answer may very well lie in all the suggestions here but I still urge you to consult your doctor with every detail. If it turns out to be wasted money or time, you are worth that and peace of mind.

[maggiedrum]

I have severe mouth dryness every day. It's so bad that I have trouble swallowing and have almost choked to death (or it felt like it). I use the OTC lozenges and sprays which are supposed to help. I also use Vicks Cough Drops in addition to the ones for dry mouth. They seem to help more actually. I never considered that it might be a side effect from my ADT but I suspect it is not since it is still a major problem after stopping ADT. Although there is documented evidence that some SE's from ADT never go away after stopping it. Good luck with yours.

[rsgdmd in reply to maggiedrum]

Make sure you use sugar free cough drops. With severe dry mouth, you are very susceptible to cavities.

[maggiedrum in reply to rsgdmd]

Good suggestion! I may have the problem by breathing out of my mouth all night. Your nose humidifies your air coming in. I went to an ENT who opened up one of my blocked sinuses and a fixed a deviated septum since the drip and blockage was the most likely cause. I don't have sleep apnea. But he didn't fix my upper left sinus which is above the eye socket. Much more complicated surgery. I may go get that done anyway. I'd like to get rid of this. I'll check to see if my cough drops are sugar-free now.

[GAdrummer]

Until you can see the doctor of choice, continue to wash the food down with lots of water. I have had this problem for most of my life, and I find that prepping the throat by sipping water first really helps prevent those relentless hiccups. [If I don't for some reason, I soon feel my throat tightening.] Sip water as soon as you feel the throat start to seize to stop the hiccup. I blame post-polio syndrome for my tendency for hiccups.

[gsun in reply to GAdrummer]

Good idea. Thanks.

[SteveTheJ]

See a gastroenterologist. Trouble swallowing could be something else entirely such as esophageal cancer.

[Joeym1040]

I have same problem. Mine was caused by hiatial hernia plus a diverticulum in my esophogus. Time for an endoscopy which is easily done while your put to sleep. Good luck.

[fast_eddie in reply to Joeym1040]

Good suggestion but I was awake for my endoscopy.

[Joeym1040 in reply to fast_eddie]

Sorry about that. I have been getting at least 1 a year since 1999. Always given something to put you to sleep. Not a pleasant thought!😥😥

[maggiedrum]

I regularly have upper endoscopies because of my damaged liver from HepC - now completely cured but the damage done. My GI doc checks up on me. (Too many doctors!). But good advice.

[garyjp9]

I don't know about the trouble swallowing, but both prednisone and dexamethasone can cause hiccups and an increase in acid reflux. I assume that you are taking one of those along with the Zytiga. I developed an esophageal ulcer and regular hiccups during most meals during my first year of prednisone. If you are not doing so already, try taking the prednisone with food. Also, you might try taking a drug like omeprazole or pepcid to handle the increase in acid reflux, but those are also not good to take on a long term basis.

[gsun in reply to garyjp9]

I always take it with food. That's how I take all my pills. Water dosen't get it so I pop in pills with a mouthful of food. I don't get acid refux.