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#94987 05-06-2009 08:43 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 128
wfc Offline OP
Senior Member (100+ posts)
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Senior Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 128
I have only had three Rad treatments and my mouth is dry already. Has that happened to anyone else? I am also taking a anti-nausea pill and receiving two daily shots of Ethyol.
Just wondering?

Bill C

Last edited by wfc; 05-06-2009 08:44 AM. Reason: addition

Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
wfc #94991 05-06-2009 11:48 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,260
Bill, I had the dry mouth and part of it s the surgery when you lose your salivary glands. I will have dry mouth forever unless they come up with a way to restore it. I also lost my taste buds and have gotten used to tasting the 1st bite of food. After the 1st bite they all taste like whatever you can imagine, LOL Maybe if you don't need oral surgery, you will have the saliva return like some have had happen in the forums. Good luck with it and may yu be blessed like the rest.


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 #94994 05-06-2009 12:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 148
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Senior Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 148
Bill, sounds early to be experiencing dry mouth but everyone is a bit different on the effects of radiation and could be the pill you mentioned. Like EzJim, I wish you the best over the next several weeks.


Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
William1949 #95115 05-08-2009 12:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 225
"OCF across the pond"
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"OCF across the pond"
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 225
Hi wfc,
just asked Martin,for him he started getting dry after 3 weeks, but he did notice that his painkillers made him really dry. Towards the end and even sometimes now on dry days his tongue feels like a dried up piece of moss, I know because he once asked me to touch his tongue.
All I can advise is keep a little bottle of water with you at all times (Martin fits it in my hand bag when we go out), and sip a little but often. Don't drink too much in big gulps, because then as martin learnt you feel to full of water to eat and it sometimes makes you feel nauseus, and the slosh sloshing in the belly is unpleasant.
Anyway, good luck.


Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis
Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008.
Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm).
Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june.
30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October
First comparative study scan came back clear

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