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#84857 11-26-2008 03:57 PM
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I am in my third week post Rad treatment. I've read posts on the mucous issues taking time to resolve. But I still have some questions.

1. Am I the only one suffering sleep deprivation? I have to sleep sitting up, and wake about ever 1 1/2 hours to clear all the mucous. The interrupted sleep is starting to cause me some real mood problems. Am i the only one with this problem?

2. When I try to talk to people, mucous production accelerates and my speech has to be interrupted frequently to clear the throat. A real "downer" in public places. Again, am I the only one with this problem?

I'd value answers to the above, and any further information that sheds insight on coping with the mucous problems Post-TX.

mad

CharlieR #84859 11-26-2008 04:23 PM
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Me too...I rinsed a lot, drank a lot of water and spitted in a paper towel constantly. I used a water/salt/baking soda mixture that helped. I also took Mucinex and that appeared to help me. I literally thought it was going to choke me. I would spend about an hour in the bathroom before bed and another hour in the bathroom when I woke up just to clear the mucous. Hopefully yours gets better like mine did. It just recently slowed down for me.


Is it spitted or spat? Okay...I would spit in a paper towel constantly...or should i say rolls of paper towels

Last edited by Ray1971; 11-26-2008 04:26 PM.

7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
Ray1971 #84861 11-26-2008 04:53 PM
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Same here... it was driving me insane.

All day I was constantly holding a tissue to my mouth ready for me to try and clear all that muck out of my mouth before I choked on it.

During the night I would also have to sleep elevated and would be up and down to the bathroom doing exactly the same thing, whilst continually making me feel so sick. Not being able to sleep makes you feel even worse.

I thought it was never going to end --- but it does. You are certainly not alone having to go through it.

Take care
Karen


46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
Karen Rose #84868 11-26-2008 05:52 PM
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Hell, I am so dry in my mouth and throat, I would welcome mucous that got into my throat or mouth. I get a little mucous about 1 to 2 times a day. After choking it as far up as my tongue, I have to just about manually take it out or if I get lucky, one good cough and it's like a cannon going off. Better have Kleenex at hand for that.


Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
EzJim #84870 11-26-2008 06:19 PM
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Hi there Jim

I went from one extreme to another.

I have a dozen lotions and potions to help me with my dry mouth of a night now..... go figure!!

After another appointment with the dental hygenist yesterday I now have another lot of gels to add to my collection.... oooh man I am sooo over this....

Karen


46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
Karen Rose #84875 11-26-2008 07:23 PM
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I also had the sleep problem and it got worse with my recent surgery -- I used to go to sleep anywhere, instantly -- Now I was finding myself half-awake until O-Dark-Thirty and then I would sleep all day, it seemed.

During my immediate post-radiation period, I even tried Ambien and it didn't make a dent.

I now take a cocktail of ibuprofen (for my wrist/hand), melatonin, benedryl and a prescription, ancient anti-depressent (Trazadone) that has a side effect of drowsiness, which works for me.



Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
Pete D #84910 11-27-2008 06:41 AM
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Charlie,

Again this is all a normal part of your recovery and it will resolve itself but then you will be left with dry mouth that will last a long long time. Over 2 years out and I'm maybe 95% normal and I don't ecpect it to improve anymore.


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.

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