 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | It's way too soon for this lack of saliva issue to present itself. Most all of us don't encounter the "dry mouth" until near or after the end of radiation. Also it's surprising that he will be getting 44 rad sessions as most of us get 35 so I can only guess that each of his rad sessions are less that we typically get which would cause less damage this early. Doesn't make sense at all to me.
Definitely discuss this with his rad doc. How is his taste? Is his throat sore? Can he just drink more fluids to overcome his lack of saliva? He can also try Biotene gum (Walmart is the cheapest).
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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