| Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 49 Likes: 1 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 49 Likes: 1 | I better understand the struggles of dry mouth while one is trying to sleep so I had heard a vaporizer may help. Anyone out there used one of these? Was it helpful? Nona Chris
63 years old Nona to Alora, Emery, Ilyana, Harper, Nolan, & Rory. Yogini since 2012. Namaste.
Diagnosed 10/5/20 Oral Cancer/ RT side of tongue SCC Stage I Partial Glossectomy 10/23/20 Right Neck Dissection 12/4/20 Clear Nodes BOT SCC 1/18/11 Stage IV N3 M0 HPV+ Port2/18/11 Treatment start 2/22 CISplatin 2rnds, Rads:35 treatments July 12 doctors' deemed me cancer free-port out July 18. Non-smoker, was a light-drinker No drinking since diagnosis | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I didn't use one myself but many people have recommended them over the years. Many also have kept a spray bottle next to their bed and when they wake up they just mist themselves. IMO try anything and everything and if it helps, use it. lol
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I have a humidifier that I run constantly day and nite outside my bedroom door. If I forget to fill it daily, I awake with a mouth that is frozen in time. Like it was super glued. Get one and use it. You need humidity. Don't forget to use an Algae gurad to keep bacteria from growing. Buy the swimming pool algae guard as it comes in a gallon and is much cheaper. It is the same thing and the small bottles they sell. Some call it Bacteria Stat or whatever.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I used a vaporizer for sleeping. I noticed a big difference on the nights I would forget to run it. Give it a try, it should help. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | I use a vaporizor for sleeping too but it's probably not the right kind...it works like a charm but I usually wake up with crumbs all over from the empty bag of Doritos that mysteriously winds up over my head 
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I used one for years and found that with a little mucinex before bed worked the best. Lately I discovered if my wife doesn't turn the fan on at night, I sleep and she sweats. I chose to keep momma happy. 
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Great suggestions above! My son used a plant mister (the kind you get in a garden shop/section). It has a finer spray. He also had a vaporizer and humidifier. Sometimes you have to try different things until you find whatever works for you.
Anne-Marie CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 | Nona
After wearing out 4 cool mist humidifiers and dealing with all of the absolutely impossible cleaning, I have switched to using a warm mist ultrasonic model (an AIR-O-SWISS 7147 Digital)that I have in my bedroom. I have a whole house model installed in my central air system, but started growing bizarre cultures with the humidity cranked up @ 50% for the whole house.
This one is also MUCH quieter than any of the cool mist units I had.
Kevin
18 YEAR SURVIVOR SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006. No evidence of disease 2010 Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.� Stephen Hawking | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 531 | Hmmm gonna have to try one of these ideas. Ron wakes up and his mouth is like ewww...he sounds like he's talking with a mouth full of mush everytime he wakes up. I have a plant mister, wonder if he will try it, I actually bought it for my cockatiel when she was alive, in the summertime I'd "mist" her. Now I just "miss" her.  sorry cheezy I know but I bet you all chuckled! lol
CG to Ron Out of Pain 4/3/13 4/12-lung and under chin growth no treatment 1/13/12 lung biopsy 6/11 recur 6/30 resection #2 Clear margins Clear 12/10 Surg 5/13/10 neck dis/nodes part gloss/flap R thigh all teeth out RAD 30 8/10 DX 4/2/10 "Oral Cavity" T3NOMO 12/28/07 Non Hodg Lymph remission 7/08 passed away 4.3.15, RIP Ron, you are greatly missed
| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Suez - Yup - I'm sure you do miss misting your missing pet. Hope the summer memories of misting your missing little friend will be memorable ones for you. 
Anne-Marie CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,249 Posts197,138 Members13,323 | Most Online1,788 Jan 23rd, 2025 | | | |