I second Kerry -- get some Biafine cream, it is great -- my husband used it after every rad treatment and also, before going to bed. I burned myself rather badly on the inside of my arm recently -- second degree burn -- and the Biafine not only soothed it, it healed quickly and no scar or blister. As for the itching, ask for a prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream which we were given to reduce chance of scratching breaking Barry's skin and causing infection.

If you can swallow tablets, get Mucinex -- it is a timed-release tablet with controls phlegm for about 12 hours. You can take 2 tabs at a time, but they are big pills and cannot be cut or ground up because of the time-release coating. Our doctor (after checking) said one tab every 6 hours is also OK and in fact, that worked better for my husband. If you can't handle these large tablets, use the guafenisin (sp? -- I can never spell this either...) syrup which is made by Robitussin and there are also "house" brands at Wal-Mart etc.. And as Kelly said, nothing with a decongestant in it.

The reason for the thick mucous is two-fold, I found out at a recent HNC conference. The sublingual salivary glands produce a thick ropy saliva. Usually these glands are not as badly affected by the radiation as are the large parotid glands, which produce a thin, serous saliva. The latter get "shut down" as treatment progresses -- more or less, depending on the radiation plan -- and the thick stuff starts to be the major salivary product. On top of this, there is mucous from throat irritation and also, phlegm from the chest due to post-nasal drip and other gunk getting down your respiratory passages. A real mess! Fortunately, for most people there is a gradual return of parotid function and (if there is any function left) this can be "boosted" with medications such as Evoxac, oral materials like Oral Balance gel or liquid, chewing XyliMax gum or using a new product, Numoisyn liquid or lozenges.

Some people have had some relief from thick mucous by use of a suction machine. Another tip is to drink a lot of water and use salt/soda rinses (or soda water) frequently as this also helps clear the gunk out.

Things should start to get better in a month or so, it takes about that long for the radiation to stop "working" so to speak. I know my husband (who ended treatment Sept. 29, 05) got a lot better by the end of November, and had a rather rapid recovery to an acceptable level by January , and then gradual return to current near-normalcy by April.

Best wishes, the hard part is behind you!
Gail