| | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | ari,
The thick saliva stage is common in just about 100% of fellow "radiation to the neck area" patients. Some have it really really bad needing a rented suction machine just to function at all but all of us had to deal with it. When this stage ends the dry mouth stage will begin and that will take perhaps as much as 2 years to recovery as much as it will.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 14 | Thanks, David. I didn't even know about suction machines till I visited these forums. I will cheer the end of thick saliva because, as noted, it seems tied to sleep deprivation. I have sleep aids available, including a prescription narcotic, but refuse them. For me, the issue is drooling and especially gagging -- the quick buildup of thick saliva, leading to awakening quickly, choking on my own gummy spit. As thick saliva diminishes, I hope to begin sleeping 1, 2, 3 or more hours at a time -- a godsend. I feel that natural sleep is the key to accelerate my healing.
Therefore I believe that when mouth soreness decreases, enabling me to eat and drink, and thick saliva decreases, enabling me to sleep, I'll really be on the way.
You mention the long, dry mouth stage to follow. I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
I do have one question for you: what's the appropriate use of "saliva substitute" products? One was recommended to me, but I'm not sure when and how it's supposed to be used. Do you recall any feedback on product effectiveness from forum members?
Age 61, stg IV SCC (tonsillar, invasive at back of tongue, spread to neck lymph nodes); Dx Nov. 2008, nonsmoker since 1974, very light drinker, no other health issues; no surgery, no PEG, 4 cycles chemo (TPF), then weekly chemo + 7 weeks radiation (2 per day) incl IMRT = 70 doses total, done 6/4/09
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 718 | Ari,
My husband used a portable suction machine. A wonderful forum member who doesn't post much these days sent us the one they bought to use during the really difficult times. It made the whole thick, gaggy mucous period much more manageable for my husband.
I have since learned you can get rentals through your insurance companies. Talk to your doctor...it is a really good idea to have one. Whether it's for waking up in the middle of the night or just dealing with it during the day!! Way better than gagging or choking.
On saliva substitutes. I bought all brands all forms...Dan tried them all...and, during the period that you are in now nothing worked great. But, it could be that our expectations were too high. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you a good recommendation.
Margaret
----------
C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 14 |
Age 61, stg IV SCC (tonsillar, invasive at back of tongue, spread to neck lymph nodes); Dx Nov. 2008, nonsmoker since 1974, very light drinker, no other health issues; no surgery, no PEG, 4 cycles chemo (TPF), then weekly chemo + 7 weeks radiation (2 per day) incl IMRT = 70 doses total, done 6/4/09
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,170 Posts196,933 Members13,105 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
