#62182 11-27-2007 06:13 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | There are a couple of topics in different places where people are talking about fatigue related to exercise and I don't want to highjack those topics but this has reminded me of a related exercise issue I have been wanting to ask about for a while.
I find when I even start doing anything moderately aerobic, my mouth gets so dry that my toongue starts sticking to the roof of my mouth. I'm talking 30 sec or one minute into an aerobic activity. If I keep going the back of my throat feels so dry I almost want to gag. I have mouthwash and sprays I use but I can't keep spraying my mouth and get good exercise. As a result, I have not been doing much really aerobic exercise since treatment, though I try to do a lot that isn't that strenuous like walking.
I'm over two years out of treatment so I don't think the dry mouth thing will get better.
Does anypne else have any tips for dealing with this? Do I just have worse drymouth than many of you? I am amazed by people who say they are running or cycling again--I'd love to get back to that kind fo shape but the sandpaper mouth stops me.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#62183 11-27-2007 10:00 AM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 666 | Nelie,
the only time I can breath through my mouth for any extended time and get away with it is in a steam bath or sauna. (It actually feels good). As long as I breath though the nose things are ok.... which excludes very strenous aerobic activity.
M
Partial glossectomy (25%) anterior tongue. 4/6/07/. IMRT start @5/24/07 (3x) Erbitux start/end@ 5/24/07. IMRT wider field (30x) start 6/5/07. Weekly cisplatin (2x30mg/m2), then weekly carbo- (5x180mg/m2). End of Tx 19 July 07.
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#62184 11-27-2007 10:36 AM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | Nelie,
I don't find it a big problem. If I am at the gym on an aerobic machine, I get a foam cup of icewater with a lid and straw and put it in the holder, and sip from it as needed. If I am riding a bike or snow skiing, I use a Camelbak hydration backpack and sip from it as needed. If I am doing something less strenuous, like walking or playing golf, I just carry a bottle of water.
The problem for me is not the dry mouth, but getting the motivation to get to the gym!
Take care,
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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#62185 11-27-2007 10:56 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Sipping water, even if I did so constantly, doesn't work for me. Water can actually increase that dry feeling in the back of my throat-though I know that's paradoxical that's the way it definitely works for me. Sigh. Just part of the "new normal" I'm not at peace with yet I guess.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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#62186 11-28-2007 07:20 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 307 | Hi Nelie,
You might try chewing gum (sugar free). My husband chews gum when going to the gym and also when he rides his motorcycle. It definitely helps him with the dry mouth.
Good luck,
Shelley
Caregiver to husband Ron. Throat Cancer. Finished 35 radiation treatments on 11/21/04. 8/2/11 small lesion on lower gum, laser Procedure to remove. 3/6/12 Doc. removed another lesion on outside of his neck. Did a skin graft from his chest to replace the skin on his neck. Went to Heaven on 6/24/12.
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#62187 11-29-2007 03:02 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 136 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 136 | hey Nelie,
i've taken 2 salagen pills before exercising. i usually don't foam too much at the mouth.
cu,
larryb
'01 diagnosis.. jaw hing and base of tongue. surgery not possible. JHU used radiation and chemo to seemingly rid me of the beast. peg for about 19 months. 100 cases of 24 cans of liquid food. 9 months eating therapy. 3x esophagus stretches. non-smoker. previously a social drinker.
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#62188 11-30-2007 06:29 AM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 97 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 97 | Hi Nelie-
I use gum somtimes to keep my mouth moist too. Stuff like running/step aerobics just doesn't seem to work too well anymore but I can get in some hiking which is good. Have you tried something like slow uphill hiking, or weightlifting? Those are two things that can really build muscle and increase your fitness level without having to huff and puff with your mouth open too much!
Melissa
Age 36. Four years of fighting Stage 4 Skull Base Cancer
Can't even fit it in the signature line. I've tried it all! 5 surgeries, IMRT, cyberknife, cisplatin, erbitux, AIM, taxotere, carboplatin.
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