OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I personally did not have it or need it. I had IMRT and only lost the parotid that was in the immediate radiation field. All of my other salivary glands made a complete recovery and my salivary function is as close to normal as I remember it. It did take a good 18 months. I still drink a lot of water however.
Ethyol, as Ed mentioned, can has serious side effects in many people. Only a relative few here have been able to tolerate the full course. If you are having XRT, then it may be your only shot. I have not heard that chemo causes permanent zerostomia. Radiation is the usual culprit. It is administered by injection only.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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