My husband finished radiation and chemo 16months ago; had a radical neck dissection 13 months ago. However, he still has on-going radiation damage:
1. he has no saliva
2. his epiglottis doesn't close over so he can't swallow food
3. he has horrible, ever-present mucus that feels like glue in his mouth

He's really depressed about not being able to eat or move along. He uses biotene products to moisterize his mouth; he's doing speech exercises to strengthen his swallowing muscles (so that he can eat some day and get off the feeding tube); he gargles with papaya juice; he's seeing a therapist for his emotional needs and may be starting an antidepressent . But the phlegm is horrible - he's tried everything imaginable - used to use a suction machine, but it's different now. The gunk gets thicker whenever his throat is examined, when the heat is on, when there are allergens ... Any ideas? any help? tried gualifesin (mucinex) but it made him nauseous. Docs say he's coming along and that "he got really cooked" by radiation. But there's got to be some way to get relief from this gunk. Please help. thanks (ENT doc doesn't want to prescribe evoxac for dryness at this time)