Hi. This is my first time here and am looking for some suggestions. My husband has ssc of the soft palate. He just finished his second week of rad and chemo. He has developed mouth irritation to food and drink. We have not yet received his peg tube food. Dr. Rad Rx'd Oramagic, but the pharmacy can't get it until Tuesday. Any suggestions for trying to sooth the mouth?

I did not have radiation, but I know that there are TONS of entries on the forum about the mouth soreness problem.

In the meantime, for an unrelated problem I had last year, my periodontist recommended swishing with equal parts of Maalox and liquid Benedryl. The Maalox soothes the mouth, and the Ben. numbs it.

If this would be a terrible thing for a radiation patient to do, somebody please tell Bette before they use it!!

Bette, Colleen is right on target with "magic mouthwash" it will help, as will club soda. He will need to get some pain meds started, and likely soon. Once the rad side effects start, they tend to advance fairly quickly.

He will start to feel unwell, and it will steadily worsen over the next couple of weeks. There's light at the end of the tunnel though.

Even with a PEG, it's REALLY important that he keep swallowing. He needs to keep up his hydration, and if he stops swallowing for even a short while, it will be a hard skill to regain. Have him drink as much as he can, even with his PEG. If you have ANY questions, please ask away.

I had six weeks of radiation following surgery last year, so I can try and help you as much as possible.
Much luck
Wayne

Thanks Thanks. I'm glad to know about the swallowing thing. The Dr. never mentioned that. I'm gonna try the malox. Thanks!!!!!

Bette;
My Radiation Onc. also suggested a mix of tablespoon each of baking soda and salt, mixed into a gallon of water in addistion to the Miles Mixture. He said to constantly use this and swish and spit to provide moisture as well as help with the sores. It helped in the beginning, then there was a time I couldn't handle it. I reverted back to it as treatment was ending and feel it helped. As Wayne stated, keep him swallowing.

Best of luck to him,

Steve