Theresa,

I am sorry to hear of all the challenges you are facing right now. Welcome to the neighborhood, though! I went with the Ethyol for a while and developed an allergic reaction after about 3-4 weks of radiation. It got worse and worse until I stopped it. I heard that happens with a few people. If you are already experiencing dry mouth this early into the treatment, I would bet it is is more related to meds and dehydration. The Ethyol is claimed to protect the salivary glands and kidneys from effects of radiation and is used for this reason. It should not help you maintain saliva during treatment as much as help your salivary glands recover. Are you getting plenty of hydration. If by mouth or PEG tube, you should take your weight divided by two. This is the MINIMUM ounces of water a day. If not, make sure the lab tests are done regularly and check all your electrolytes and creatinine. I don't see if you are having chemo with your radiation but if you are, the creatinine is very important to monitor your kidney functions, especially with platinum based chemo agents.

Rinse your mouth often and drink as much as you possibly can. Dehydration will only compound your side effects.

Ed

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