Hi, I haven't been here in a long time. Too long. I remember the ropey gunk quite well, they even provided a portable suction machine when I was home. I now have enough saliva during the day to affect my speech (most of the time). My mouth gets dry at night, but not extremely so. It also gets dry when I sing with the choir. I did not lose the saliva production on the left side of my mouth, only the right.

I notice that the excess saliva is greater when I take liquified food in addition to my Jevity. I think my body / mouth is saying "Thank was a neat trick... give me more to eat"

I should explain that I can swallow most food if I chew it enough first, and I can take most liquids by mouth, if I am careful. However I have had aspiration pneumonia several times, and I am "twice scared four times careful". Too careful I guess. My SLP said I was on the cusp about 3 months after radiation: I could either eat all the time and do my exercises as though I were training for the Olympics, or I would slip into G-tube dependency. So I am dependent.

There's more I could share of my own story, but I have one suggestion (if you haven't heard it already). Try drinking or rinsing with carbonated beverages. It really makes my mouth a more friendly environment.

best wishes,

Jon