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#156749 10-26-2012 03:03 AM
Lady1
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My husband went for his radiation simulation- had a hard time with the bite block and he has a strong gag reflex- any tips from those more experienced with this? Said he felt like he was drowning in saliva.

#156750 10-26-2012 03:23 AM
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Some members have taken medications to relax. Sorry I didnt take this so Im not sure what ones they used.



Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
#156751 10-26-2012 03:47 AM
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What kind of medications?

#156752 10-26-2012 05:06 AM
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I didnt use this myself so Im unsure of what other members have used. Im sure someone who used this will be along soon and give you some names of medications.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
#156753 10-26-2012 05:33 AM
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I use lorazepam (ativan) to help relax. Hope that helps :-)


Stage 1 tongue carcinoma in 1999 and again in 2001, removed surgically. Stage II tongue carcinoma in 2012, surgery, neck dissection, flap from forearm, trach (removed in hospital before leaving). Finished 30 rad tx on 11/28/12.

Jessica, age 38
#156756 10-26-2012 05:51 AM
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Others have said Ativan as well but that was to take the edge off. Not sure I've ever read about excess saliva being a problem. Perhaps a antihistimine may work but of course discuss EVERYTHING with your RO before you act.


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.
#156771 10-26-2012 12:08 PM
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Ativan is definitely a help. For me anyway it takes a bit longer to kick in and the effect also lasts longer. Xanax - again for me - is more immediate and shorter acting. It also seems stronger, at least initially.

I also haven't heard about excess saliva at this point in treatment. Maybe that's just nerves too, although I think the reverse would occur for most people. David's suggestion of an antihistamine might help, dunno. But worth talking to your docs about.

Thoughts with you both.


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
#156783 10-26-2012 05:07 PM
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Did everyone have a bite block? Kevin didn't.
I know when I worked in the dental profession bite blocks were tough. They are way back between your molars to keep your tongue back. You would produce more saliva having it in there because your body is trying to get it out. They may be able to use a pediatric one that wouldn't gag him as much. Just a thought.
I'm just curious to know if everyone had one.
I know Xanax worked for Kevin on a couple of other things. He said it has a pretty immediate effect. Hope you find something that works.
Kathy


Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
#156786 10-26-2012 05:15 PM
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No bite block for Bill either...just checked with him to make sure but I knew that he would have squawked if there had been one.


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
#156787 10-26-2012 05:16 PM
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When I was going through radiation, they put what looked like a fudgesickle in my mouth for me to bite on. It did make me gag a bit, and to me, was worse than the actual mask.


Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
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