 Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 188 Likes: 1 | Joyce,
There is a device called the Therabite available by prescription which can help stretch your jaw so that you can open your mouth more normally. If you search on "Trismus" you will find a lot of info. Trismus is a normal result of radiation treatment.
My EENT is the one who wrote the prescription for me. I used it seven times a day for several months. Some insurance companies will pay. My insurance paid 90%, choosing to classify it as durable medical equipment. I'm now two years post treatment, and only use the therabite occasionally.
The dry mouth issue continues. Though I have recovered enough saliva that I don't need a water bottle as my constant companion, I still need either a beverage or lots of gravy or sauce to eat a meal.
Hope this info helps.
Good Health,
Chuck
SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
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