Hi Everyone:

I have been reading everyone's posts. My dad got PET Scan results today and all clear!! I have a question if anyone out there has a tracheostomy. My dad seems to always have a lot of mucus. The doctor does not think it is a big deal but, it is a pain for my dad. Has anyone else with a trach had this problem and if so, do they have any helpful suggestions. Stay well all!!
Boston

Congrats to your dad on hitting the one year mark and for the scans being clear.

Ive had a trach and do not experience any more mucous than how it was before this last round of OC. For me, its the same as it was after I had healed from having chemo/rads. My mucous is somehow related to my sinuses. I have permanent sinus damage from the radiation, its like I always have a head cold. Taking sinutab when it acts up works for me.

Another thing that worked very well when I had treatments and was recovering from chemo/rads was the rinses. Using 16oz water and 2 tsp baking soda with a tiny bit of salt helped cut the mucous. If your dad hasnt tried this yet, have him give it a try and maybe it will help.

Hi Christine:

How did you use the rinses? He is still on a feeding tube. He is swallowing applesauce but no liquids yet. He is having another swallow test, but the Drs were afraid he would aspirate due to the swelling in his throat. He is up and around, but his mucus thing is what is holding him back.

Thanks,
Boston

Have your dad rinse his mouth out several times per day with the baking soda mixture. All he needs to do is take a sip and swish it around in his mouth for about 20 seconds then spit it out. This helps break up the mucous. Some people use plain seltzer water the same way and that works for them. I never tried the seltzer water. He can also take some over the counter meds like musinex to help break up the mucous.

If he is able to do applesauce, ask the docs about smooth yogurt, chocolate milk, milkshakes, and puddings. If he has that much difficulty in eating, then always clear everything thru the doc before you give it to him.

Is this mucous in his mouth or mucous from the lungs that he is coughing up the trach? A suction machine may be useful for both.

Take care,
Eileen

Thanks Christine

Your very welcome

Hope your dad continues to steadily improve and the mucous issue becomes a thing of the past. It can take 2 years to fully recover so he is about 1/2 way to being at his new normal. Best of luck with everything.

My mom was sent home with a suction machine we had to rent from the medical supply store. she coughed up a lot of mucous and all kinds of weird stuff for a couple of weeks after coming home. it became very scary at one point in the middle of the night and i had to put the suction tube down her trach all by myself. im not good at that!!! sounds like your dad isnt dealing at that level so hopefully the rinses will help

Emily and others
Often insurance will cover items such as a suction machine or other equipment need for a patient's recovery or maintenance. It costs nothing to ask. Your dr., OT or PT therapist, patient navigator, hospital social worker are some of the sources who can help. You can also inquire directly to your ins. provider. Most have a nurse who can be assigned to a specific case, esp if "C" is involved.

Hi:

My dad has a suction machine and we did use it quite a bit at the begining but maybe once a day now. My mother puts saline water (I think) down he trach and he is able to cough up most of his mucus. When he first got the trach it was a nightmare, we had to suction him constantly and the healthcare providers told us if he got a plug he could choke. Now it is just the mucus, he always sounds like he has a cold or allergies. Oral cancer has to be the worst of all the cancers. My dad has a trach, he still has a feeding tube and the constant fear of reoccurence!!