I think it sounds cruel for the doctor to not write a prescription for the suction device. I can't picture how you could possibly hurt yourself with it if that's what he's worried about. Every doctor I encountered here in Des Moines was willing to help me in anything I asked for, so I'm baffled as to why he'd refuse. In my case, I didn't ask the doctor myself. The social worker from the hospital cancer floor arranged it all. Ask again, because it's definitely worth it. Maybe the doctor thinks it won't help, but why should he care if you want to try? That thick salivia stuff was a MAJOR hassle for me.