problem swallowing solid food after stem cell transplant

[dazbella]

My husband had a stem cell transplant Dec 17, 2014. He had bone marrow failure at day 90. The cancer (cmml) is gone and now he has aplastic anemia. They did a second transplant may 20 2015. After a 12 day stay in hospital after the transplant due to gastro infection he has been home. Fever and symptom free. We are at day 101 but he still is unable to swallow solid food. He has maintained his weight with smoothies with protein, powder, avocado, fruit and ensure as well as juice and ensure in between. However when he tries to swallow solid food he gags and then ends up vomiting it up. He said he feels as if he is going to choke when he tries to swallow. He didn't experience mouth or throat sores so that isn't the problem and he is able to swallow his meds. Anyone have any experience with this? Causes? Suggestions?

[Neil Cuadra]

dazbella,

Being unable to swallow solids is very unfortunate, and I hope it clears up in time. I'm glad your husband has been able to maintain his nutritional intake. I think it's worth asking his hematology team about it, including asking what type of specialist you might be able to consult with.

Many transplant patients have problems with their digestive system, particularly their mouth and throat, due to radiation and chemo they get as transplant pre-conditioning, which tends to wipe out those fast-growing cells. Others may have these problems from graft-versus-host disease after transplant. My wife had both, but was able to swallow solid food again about 6 weeks after her transplant.

[dazbella]

thanks Neil. The specialists seem to be just dismissing this and indicate it will take time. My husband didn't have radiation but did have more intensive chemo conditioning prior to his second transplant. I will be more insistent at our next appt next week to have them investigate this problem further. Perhaps an ultrasound of his esophagus just to make sure nothing else is going on.

[DonnaM]

I had a bone marrow transplant in November, 2013, for aplastic anemia. I still go to the outpatient clinic approximately once a month. One of the many symptoms my doctor always asks me about is if I am having any problems swallowing food. I assume GVHD can cause this problem, but I haven't had any trouble with it.