After my second week of radiation I developed sores inside the mouth. The doctor prescribed Magic Mouthwash that included Benedryl, Nystatin, Maalox and Hurricaine. After spending a couple of days trying to stay awake long enough to read a book, let alone drive to the Center, the nurse suspected the Benedryl causing the fatigue. As soon as I stopped swallowing the mixture--not using it was not an option--I perked back up to 100%.

I've since learned that there are several different prescriptions for the mouthwash; some of which do not contain Benedryl. I also tried using a prescription for Nystatin and mixing that with some other ingredients I purchased over-the-counter. Even armed with the right percentages, I suck as a pharmacist.

I know not everyone has the same reactions to Benedryl, but the fatigue was really dragging down my enthusiasm to do anything.

Week 4 begins. Your experiences have prepared me for this better than anything or anyone.

Thank you!

David

David-
Good luck this week! I tried Magic Mouthwash and it knocked me out too! The sores in the mouth and the heavy phlem are some of the hardest obsticals to overcome during the last few weeks of radiation. Don't remember what it was called, but the nurse gave me pink Q tips that were medicated that I touched on each sore. They seemed to work long enough to get me through the night. I gagged too much on mouthwashes. Hang in there and it will get better! - Kris

I was one of the non-PEG people here and I lived with the magic mouthwash. It was clearly indicated as a topical treatment for the oral cavity. The prescription says swish and expectorate. If you do that it should work well. I kind of gargled with it if I wanted it to get a little more of the throat area. Just do not swallow it!

They told you to swallow it?!?! I thought was a swish & spit like Glenn said.
They have different mixes for pink magic - mine was morphine, lidocaine and benedryl.

I got to rely and live for the magic mouthwash. week 5 through 2 weeks post treatment were the toughest for me and the magic realy helped. I agree the benedryl will make you sleepy. Your doc should have access to afew formulas. Mine gave me lidocane and malox. I would take it before I would ear. Swish and spit. It would last aboutn 3-5 minutes. I would quick gulp some soft food down and take another swish and do it agian. Also the drink supliments like boost I would wash things down with as my cocktail. Just grin and bare it, it will be over sooner than you think.

One final opinion, since the Benedryl has come up again. It is not the Benedryl that is the problem, it is the swollowing of the compound that makes you sleepy. And, I thought the Nystatin was a treatment for Thrush. I would avoid the amateur pharmacology and call the doctor to confirm why he presribed it. The mouthwash works well in the 1/3,1/3,1/3 mix and I would just stick with it, no need to re-invent the wheel here.

Swallowing magic mouthwash?????? I was told specifically NOT to swallow it. I lived with the stuff through radiation.
Minnie

Glenn, before we get too far off the beaten path let me be a bit clearer. The first question I asked before taking the solution home was whether or not it could be swallowed. I'm not exactly sure how someone might get relief from any throat discomfort otherwise. Also, nystatin is an antifungal, but if you mix it in a 1/3 solution with 1/3 lidocaine or hurricaine someone else will be calling the doctor for you. The correct dosages for a three-part solution would be 5cc Nystatin, 15cc Maalox and 2.5cc Hurricaine. The prescription ingredients and strengths are available from the doctor, if you ask. I did. The main reason I even brought up doing it yourself was for anyone thinking of saving some cash, which you can, especially if your HMO doesn't cover alot of the meds!

I have percocet standing by if the pain gets too bad, but I feel extremely fortunate thus far.

David

Hi David,
As far as I know, the nystatin is an anti-fungal drug. Unless you have thrush or some other sort of fungal infection, I'm not sure why it is part of the mix.
When I was using the magic mix (called the Pink Lady by my doc), the recommendation was to swish and spit or swich and swallow, whichever seemed to work best. I found it too thick to swallow so mostly spit. I never noticed the benadryl making me sleepy, I had enough narcotics to accomplish that.
As the radiation continued, I found that I had to alternate between the magic mouthwash and a simple rinse of baking soda (1 tsp), salt (1/2 tsp) and water (8 oz.). It was helpful to me to alternate between the two. Good luck with the rest of your treatments. - Sheldon

Sheldon, you're right. I forgot to mention the baking soda, salt and water mixture. It helps clear out the remainder of the oral cocktail. Also, thanks to Gary's mention in past forums, I was finally able to convince the dentist to order Butler Neutral Flouride Foam. Results soon.

Davd,

I forget about insurance problems. I have been lucky to dodge that bullet. I used Roxicodone liquid for pain. It is great stuff. Ask about it, I think it is the liquid form of percocet and it works real fast!

Glenn

More about the Butler Flouride foam - the strength I am using is .9%. The typical "at the dentist office" flouride treatment is 1.1% Quite a noticeable difference. My dentist sells me the stuff at his cost for about 27 bucks a can.

Tip - bring your dental trays when you have your teeth cleaned and have a flouride treatment afterwards.

Nystatin is also typically a "swish and spit". That is some foul stuff to think about swallowing. I liked the Diflucan a lot better and it workd faster.

I vomited every time I used the pink magic - it still worked but I still had to go go through this puking thing. Then I was able to get a milkshake down and some Carnation Instant Breakfast. I couldn't do Boost or Ensure - it made me sick.

I was also on Duragesic patches and had morphine both in liquid and pill form for "breakthrough" pain - like the type you get from trying to swallow anything.

It all worked out though, but it was tough sledding for a while. In hindsite I don't regret not getting a PEG but it took a lot of work, caused a lot of pain and ended me up in the ER twice.

PS Cancer fatigue is a well known side effect and the reason that most of us qualify for SSDI. The chances of having fatigue from this are pretty common regardless of your meds.

A friend had suggested I try Cetacaine spray when my throat was really bad. In my fog, I never followed through with the docs. I had an endoscopy last week and they used it to reduce the gag reflex just before we got started. It had a nifty thin straw and blasted down the throat, EXACTLY where it was hurting during radiation. It was banana flavored or something like that and numbed it in 2-3 seconds. I believe I heard them tell me there was several flavors just as the Naprox kicked in...and kicked me.

Ed