I only have one more rad. treatment to go! Woohoo! My question is that today I've been having really bad reflexes with my mucus. I keep gagging on it, rushing to my suction machine, only failing to get there fast enough and puking. Sometimes I'll even make it to the suction machine or cough a good bit up, but I still throw up.

Two things...
1. Will anti-nausea meds help at all? Since I'm not nauseated, I haven't been taking them.

2. What can I eat? I actually do not have a PEG tube and have been managing on ensure, yogurt, and ice cream. I'm running into problems, though, because those dairy-based items to not help to control the phlegm.

Any useful tips to keep this mucus down and get me some sleep the next few nights would be much appreciated. I'm so close to the end....I can feel it.

Hi Jen - nearing the end of your treatment....way to go. I tried anti-nausea meds for the mucus puking, and no, it didn't help. The mucus is more of a gag reflex thing and nothing to do with nausea. I had a peg, so I can't help with your other question. I am afraid to say that my experience is that all you can do for the next few weeks is just get through the mucus and the lack of sleep it causes. I was afraid to sleep for fear of choking. But it will pass. Two weeks post TX I was still gagging, but by 2 weeks and 3 days (my sons high school graduation) I was done. So, know the end is in sight. It gets better. Good Luck.

carmen is right, the meds wont help.
there are some that did not have a PEG so hopefully they will post shortly to give u some insight on that. i cannot even imagine how this is done without a PEG so my heart goes out to u.

i would prop andy up (head and chest) in bed. it seemed to help a little although he still had the problem with mucus and gagging, but it seemed to help him sleep longer.

but time will do the trick. andy is 11 days out, still has bad mucus, but doesnt gag and throw up on it anymore.

Jen,

My husband sleeps with his head and trunk elevated to almost a sitting position. He has been doing this since his rads. He gets a good nights sleep and this position prevents the mucous from pooling in his throat. Hang in there.

Anita

Jen,

Good news is that this phase doesn't usually last more than a couple of weeks.

Consider a suchion machine if it really gets bad. I walked around with a small styrofoam cup in my pocket(UCK) and split in it constantly.

I propped myself up in bed last night and managed to escape any incidences over night. It seems now that I'm up and about and talking, the mucus is building up again and I already had one spell this morning. :\

I do have a suction machine. It helps quite a bit, but when I start coughing, sometimes it's just too late.

I'm more concerned about keeping food down. I've been doing really good without the PEG. I think I've only lost about 10 lbs for all of treatment. That being said, I have a ridiculously low metabolism.... the one time when it helps, I guess.

Maybe I'll just rotate between ensure and the suction machine and try to avoid talking to much. The talking seems to make it worse.

Thanks to everyone for the tips about propping myself up, though.... that definitely helped.

I did not have a peg and lived on Ensure Plus. I would think the yogurt would still be good especially if it contains live yeast because that will help prevent thrush. I rinsed with baking soda and water or salt and water. Charm says rinsing with selzer water really helps. I also slept propped up. Mine was worst in the afternoon. Remember to keep hydrated. That may help thin it out some. Hang in there.

Take care,
Eileen

Try Robitussin DM. That is what I use and it really helped with the coughing and kept it at bay enough ofr me to keep things down. I still occasionaly cough and gag in the mornings and that is all she wrote. I do have a PEG, there for awhile could not keep that stuff down. The mucous seems to have thinned out some, or I am just getting used to it and rhythym going. I am almost 2 weeks post treatment and am still throwing up once a day, mostly in the mornings. The Robitussin sure help with the mucous and the coughing if I remembered to take it every 4 hours. Good Luck.

I just went out and bought seltzer water. That stuff is awesome! Who knew! Charm apparently.

I'll have to pick up some of the Robitussin on my way home from treatment tomorrow. I also thought about using mucinex, but was told by my RO not to start it during treatment. Some mucus is good because it helps protect the throat during the actual treatment. I see him tomorrow after I finish and I'll ask about the mucinex again and about robitussin.

Thanks guys for the suggestions! You're all so helpful!

I sleep with 4 pillows because on Esophagus problems but I got some advice from a new Dr that ws learning about our problems. He told me to get Afrin nasal spray mist and use it once a day along with my Lisinopril. It helps this this thick mucous a good bit,,