| | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 | At 12 years post treatment, one of my husbands biggest complaints is always coughing up phlegm. He has it bad when he first gets up - does a salt water gargle routine to help clear. But it persists throughout the day and is one of the things that makes it hard for him to eat.
I'm just wondering if this is an after-treatment treatment issue that others are experiencing.
Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Ive seen others post about this as well so your husband is not alone. Using a water pik on the lowest setting with a mixture of warm water and non alcohol mouthwash might help. Ive also heard of rinsing with seltzer water. Hopefully one of those ideas will bring some relief. I would have suggested doing the salt water rinse but he already is doing that.
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I have gone from spitting some once in a while to a constant, almost full-time job staying on top of it. I use a variety of things, primarily diet and exercise. When it is bad I use a portable suction machine. A regular day is 200-400 ml hacked up.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 | Thanks.
Good to know he's not alone (I guess misery really does love company). He keeps thinking it is a sign of infection - but I've been pretty sure it is "normal" response of radiated tissues.
Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | If the phlegm is a different color than usual than it could be a sign of infection. Also if any major changes for instance if last week he only had a little mucous and this week its several times what it was before thats something to watch for. Pay attention to any color (green is NOT a good sign) and amount changes and seek medical attention if anything is different.
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 251 | Thanks, Christine. He definitely pays attention to what you mention. Gets pneumonia about every 3 months so getting familiar with the signs and symptoms.
Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 | Hi Anita 210,
I experience the same issue and the salt water/baking soda mix seems to help drag it out for me. It's worse early in the morning but I keep a small vial handy to help keep clear throughout the day as well. Weather also seems to affect the amount(?). I really had it under control for a few years but am back in the fight so I'm sure I will probably be dealing with it again!
Christine B., I haven't tried the seltzer water so may give that a shot, too. Thanks!
SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!
**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****
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