My dad just started radiation for tonsil and neck cancer. He is having difficult eating and swallowing due to reduced saliva. I know that this is a complication of the radiation but does anyone have any suggestions on how to help reduce this side effect. Thank you.

How many rads has he had?

He will have his 6th treatment tomorrow (has 38 left) and just felt the lack of saliva effects the most starting on Friday. He is also losing his sense of taste as well.

It's way too soon for this lack of saliva issue to present itself. Most all of us don't encounter the "dry mouth" until near or after the end of radiation. Also it's surprising that he will be getting 44 rad sessions as most of us get 35 so I can only guess that each of his rad sessions are less that we typically get which would cause less damage this early. Doesn't make sense at all to me.

Definitely discuss this with his rad doc. How is his taste? Is his throat sore? Can he just drink more fluids to overcome his lack of saliva? He can also try Biotene gum (Walmart is the cheapest).

I agree with David, it seems awfully early for dry mouth. There are a couple of prescription rinses that might help. Caphosol was one I used. As I recall it's pretty expensive however, so that's certainly a consideration depending on what kind of insurance you have. But rinsing with baking soda in water is helpful too and a lot cheaper.

Good thoughts to both of you and keep us posted, ok?

Hi Maureen, your father has dry mouth too early in treatment. While everyone is unique, please do discuss with RO.

As David said, use Baking Soda + water as mouthwash to help.

Dry mouth this early could be a side effect of medication...

Hi, "Radiation, the gift that keeps on giving".
I've been relegated to a forever diet of slurpies & purees, have found you can make slurpies of absolutely anyting, with a good powerful blender.
I've slurpied Teriyaki, with extra sauce; whole wheat bread & milk; favorite is bran muffins & coffee/tea/milk/mountain dew.
No limit to what you can do, just use your imagination, try to mix a liquid that goes with the food, carrot/celery/packaged salads go with anything, condensed soup give lots of juice to puree most things.
I've found wheat noodles cause slipperiness, swallows things like pills easily.

OH yeah, warm liquids ease throat muscles, makes swallowing easier.
Good luck, Good Health

Awesome Seattle Paul! As for Maureen, meds are a very real possibility! Radiation - I guess it depends on his overall health and where they are radiating him... As for help.. Biotene products or as Paul said eat foods with a drink, some things needs thicker drink, mayb chocolate milk but usually that helps or slurpies and shakes... Good luck!

Also to help with dryness, I keep hard candy (sugar free) and water will help too.

What I've found to be the most effective for the dry mouth and thick secretions is bottled flavored ( Lemon ) soda water sold at Walmart as " Clear " for about 69 cents a 33.8 oz bottle. I swish it in the morning and the fizz cuts through the thick secretions leaving the mouth clear. Has no sugar!! I sip it from a cup all day long.... been a life saver for me. Give it a try and there are many flavors to choose from.

For the thick secretions (which will come after radiation), try a Water Pik to completely clear your mouth. Just lean over the sink with your mouth open and let it do its work. Keep your eyes closed - it is gross.

I used Coke Zero to cut through the thickness, and for dry mouth nothing beats water, water, and more water. I have tried the various dry mouth remedies and have not found one yet that is effective and user friendly.

Good luck.

Donna

Donna ;
I agree with you though I didn't use a water pick. I think its the carbonation in the soda that cuts through the thick secretions..... It sure works though.

Soda hurt Kevin like crazy. Still does. He can't do anything with carbonation. Isn't it funny how we're all different?