Gordon has had a few episodes of what appears to be vomiting, but really isn't. This happened with a nurse present when he was in the hospital and she said he wasn't bringing up stomach contents (apparently she looked), but phlegm/mucous that was sitting in his throat that somehow set off a reverse peristalsis type of reaction. It's really uncomfortable and disturbing, as you can imagine. It was set off this a.m. when he was up early taking some medication and trying to drink some water. We haven't had an episode of this for awhile.
Has anyone had experience with this? Is there anything we can do to prevent/help him if this happens again?
Thanks, Anne

I had this experience daily in the hospital. The first night after transferring out of the ICU, it got so bad, it turned into real vomiting. Even now, over a year after the surgery, if I am not quick enough to cough/spit up the mucous, I can feel the beggining of the gag reflex. All I can say is that it does get better with time. Also learning to sip water/swish it out in a forceful spit helped. If Gordon can gargle, that's a big help.
finally, an index finger wrapped in a tissue swabbed around the mouth is my old reliable, physically removing the sticky mucous.
Good luck.
Charm

Anne

I was hoping to see a lot of posters reassuring you that my experience was anything bu normal. Since I don't, let me say it. My reading of posts here over the last two years is that the initial problem of mucous choking or causing gagging/false vomiting usually resolves itself quickly. I hope it turns out well for you also. The first time I had mucous issues they did resolve quickly with spitting etc, it was only after the cancer came back and surgery and a second round of radiation & chemo that it has been persistent. But even an ultra slow recovery like I am having is still a recovery. I have not read about anyone having this permanently unlike other side effects. Hang in there
Charm

Thanks Charm for your suggestions. It doesn't happen very often now so hopefully as the mucositis gets better, it will go away. The retching seems to happen when there is a big ball of mucous lurking somewhere and he tries to drink something.
Anne

Anne,

I wish I could offer some reassuring thoughts on this but Clark does have recurring collection of mucous in his throat that makes him gag. He is fine once he gets that glob out. But it is a part of our life now. Some foods make it worse--dairy products especially milk. We keep a box of tissues and bottled water close by. Somebody else used seltzer water to help break up the mucous. Good luck and I hope things settle down for Gordon.

All the best--
Anita

Hi Anne:
I think I know what your hubby is experiencing, although I could, and still can usually get the mucus out. Till this day, and it's been over 2 years, I still have so much mucus it makes me sick to my stomach. Others who are on the Forum haven't had theirs this long, while a few said they had. So, maybe hubby will be one of the lucky ones. I've found that sucking on sugar-free Ricola Lemon Mint Herb throat drops helps. You can find them at most grocery/drug stores, usually in the cough drop section although I don't think they're cough drops. Hope this helps and the best to you both.
julieann

[quote=Charm2017]All I can say is that it does get better with time. Also learning to sip water/swish it out in a forceful spit helped. If Gordon can gargle, that's a big help.
finally, an index finger wrapped in a tissue swabbed around the mouth is my old reliable, physically removing the sticky mucous.
Good luck.
Charm [/quote]

See if you can get the nurse to give you a sack of the little green sponges on sticks; which rinse out quickly by being squeezed under running water. http://www.amazon.com/Dentips-Disposable-Oral-Swabs-Individually/dp/B000TVM3ZU

Pete

I forgot all about those. They were constant at the hospital as well as at my speech therapy. At Georgetown Hospital though the exact same type swabs are all pink, not green. I think I have one left and will try it if and when I find it.
Charm

I have a package of swabs from the Drs if you need them. I would need an address to mail them . Green and pink ones.

Anne, I think most of us had this problem. I'm confident that Gordon will experience more and more relief over time. I recall that it was easily 5-6 months after the end of RT before I stopped gagging daily. Maybe even longer.

So hang in there! Things will definitely improve.

David too