#42455 03-09-2003 05:46 AM | Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 17 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 17 | hello, out there- My latest problem with radiation is that the mucus is getting very thick and I choke and gag a lot. My nurse suggested Robitussin which seems to help a little but doesn't eliminate the problem. Has anyone discovered any other solutions to thin the mucus or otherwise help cope with this problem?  | | |
#42456 03-09-2003 06:03 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Hello,
Heather takes Salagen 3 times a day. It thins the mucous, which makes it a little easier to spit it out. Also, see if your doc will order (and insurance will pay) to rent a suction machine with a Yankauer tip. It helps a lot.
Take care,
Rosie
Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
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#42457 03-09-2003 07:08 AM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | I tried Robitussin, ginger ale, etc, and nothing really helped. The good news is that it passes with time. I used to keep the suction machine by my bed all night by the easy chair all day. Now I can make it through the night with one tissue.
Danny G.
Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC
Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.
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#42458 03-09-2003 08:04 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 188 | Nanny ... I used a water pik for getting rid of the thick saliva. Not only did the pik help keep my oral cavity clean but I also found using it helped sooth my sore, aching mouth. The only other thing that seemed to help me with the thick saliva was Biotene Mouthwash. It did a good job of breaking up the gunk and keeping it at bay if only for a short while. The thick saliva will thin out in time, but I have to agree, getting through this part of treatment and recovery is by far the most annoying aspect of it all. Hang tight, it does get better! SIncerely, Donna
SCC first time 1989, with a diagnoses of 'cancer in situ' removed lesion, no other treatments.
SCC recurrence 1997 of tongue and floor of the mouth. Stage III /IV Hemmiglossectomy (removed over 60% of tongue/ floor of the mouth), free flap, modified neck, RAD and Chemo(cisplatin, 5fu) simutainously.
Cancer free 6, yes, six, years!
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#42459 03-09-2003 01:17 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Nanny, use Puffs brand tissues to wipe out your mouth. Softer and stronger than other brands. Wish I had stock in them! Also, to sleep while that wallpaper paste was pumping out of my mouth, I rolled up gauze and put it in the "gutters" of my mouth. That absorbed the gunk for a couple of hours, letting me sleep. In my case, the stuff stopped after exactly 21 days. Don't know if that is more or less than others. Please know that it WILL stop. This is one of those small prices we pay for being alive.
Joanna | | |
#42460 03-09-2003 06:01 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I have found that simply using a warm water rinse will cut the thick saliva for about an hour.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#42461 04-14-2003 05:10 PM | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3 Member | | Member
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3 | I found that drinking cool (not cold) flat coke worked for me. I'm 7 weeks post radiation and chemo treatment and also use semi flat club soda as well. Drinking warm water does help too but the flat coke was the best. It's also nice to have a bit of flavour sometimes. Good luck to you. As everyone here has said things do get better. | | |
#42462 04-16-2003 04:38 PM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 68 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 68 | My winning combination was Salagen and carbonated beverages. I prefer Pepsi, but that just me. Anything with bubbles helped to get rid of the nasty sticky gross mouth.
I survived because I kept hope alive!!! Live, laugh, love and keep fighting hard.
Jeanette
Stage 3 oral cancer...over 60% of tongue and all lymph nodes on right side removed...July 2002.
Chemo and Radiation...ended September 2002.
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