Hi all,

Day two of having my cancerous gum tissue on left side of mouth removed along with my two bottom molars and some jaw bone to test if cancer is present in jaw.

....Little history, I have a forearm flap along the left side of my tongue from a previous surgery. It connected to the gum area that was just removed. The surgeon also removed a small lesion where the flap connects to the top of tongue (another issue that is on-going)...So if you can visualize, my entire left side of my face is swollen to the size of a tennis ball. The flap and left side of tongue have plopped down to where I did have my two molars. I have some bone exposed on the jaw bone. I just had my first drink of water since yesterday morning, orders were to have IV only, then drink water and clear liquids before getting into dark liquids and soft foods. I could not sleep at all first night in hospital, was so tired, but everytime I would nod off, I would wake up itching or skirming after 30 seconds (maybe a reaction to the morphine??).

My surgeon allowed me to have early release and I am now home, I have strong pain killers (oxycodo HCL/ACET), AMOX antibiotic, and peridex mouthwash.

My first glass of water gave me a terrible fit of hiccups, and it continues to after 2 hours, it subsided only for about 20 minutes. Also acid reflux is kicking in. I took a boost meal replacement drink and seemed to soothe things down for awhile, but hiccups came back. After the boost, I then rinsed my mouth with the peridex.

Okay...here is my question...I have had bad experiences with peridex in the past, and because it has alchohol as an ingredient, aren't there studies that proved that alchohol based mouth rinses or washes could actually be the contributing factor to dysplasia, precancer and eventually cancer? Is there anything else I can take that will effectively keep my gums and exposed bone area clean? I don't want to risk any infection, so will continue to use the peridex, but was really hoping that someone would know of a better and safer solution?

Thanks,

HGT

HGT

I used Listerine mouthwash for 20 years before I was diagnosed with OC (with alcohol).

My maxilofacial/oral surgeon recommends I use Colgate Savacol - ALCOHOL FREE - Antiseptic Mouth and Throat Wash following any surgeries and dental procedures I have. It is available at most pharmacies.

Hope your recovery goes well.

Karen

Thanks Karen! I will look for it.

I would continue to use the Peridex. Ive used it for years. I mix mine 1/2 peridex and 1/2 water. My ENT is ok with diluting it.

I havent read anything official about the alchol in mouthwashes. I seem to remember a discussion several years ago about this. I think Listerine has more alchol than Peridex. Im not certain, check this with your doc.

Biot�ne has a mouthwash. It is enzyme based with no alcohol. I used it in treatment and was given a sample by the treatment hospital.

You might want to try a little room temperature bubble water like perrier or 7up. I would only try a little bit a sip or two to help churn and dissipate what is sitting in your stomach. The bubbles will give you a good burp to rid your stomach of what it is holding onto. Go easy on the bubble water though to not put strain on your kidneys.

I use biotene mouth wash, they took all of my teeth along with other things out of my mouth, but I brush it with a soft toothbrush 2 times a day, I also take percocet and methadone. I use Mylanta and Zantac, Ranitidine is the same concoction. I have so many ho;es in my tongue and mouth plus the ones in my dead jawbone, that when I rinse, so much food comes out that I could make another meal from it. It's surpising what can hide in your mouth even after all the cleaning and rinsing.

Hey HGT - you finally had your surgery - sounds like it's been a trial - sorry to here - but glad you are home - I know others here are far more knowledgeable so i will defer to them - but just wanted to say - I too am using peridex. Just a little swish mixed with some water - you can ask your dr. what he thinks I imagine he can give to the pros and cons. Hopefully you can keep your hiccups at bay and the swelling goes away - take care - my thoughts are with you!

Thanks!

The peridex actually came to my rescue. Day 6 after the surgery (yesterday). stitching must have came loose because my mouth filled up with blood and I spat out a large blood clot, which probably was not good...but the only thing that finally stopped the bleeding was by washing my mouth out with peridex.

The pain levels are at it's highest since the surgery, been a week so far. Can hardly eat anything, been living off of boost and ensure. Lost 12 lbs so far. Taking percacet for pain, but pain still present especially when trying to eat and now when speaking. Sleeping only 3-4 hours a night, wake up every hour in pain, can only lie on my back to prevent jaw from moving. Really did not expect this to be so bad to recover from, seems almost as bad as the much bigger surgery I had with the flap.

Im so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time with recovering. I had a similar type of operation but a bit more involved. It was really tough for me to bounce back from it. It took me months before I was pretty much stabilized. Rest as much as you possibly can. For your diet, push the protein! Add some high protein whey powder to a beverage and mix it good, this will help you to heal. This can be found in most drug stores, health food stores or even walmart sells it now. I get 50 grams of protein in my powder which helps achieve my daily requirements. Try it and in a week I know you will notice a difference. It wouldnt be a bad idea to take a multi vitamin too. Of course ask your doc about both of these things. I was told by my wound care specialist doctor to take a daily vitamin and add some high protein to my diet to increase my healing capacity.

Hope you begin to feel better very soon!!!

Yikes - sounds like you having a hard time of it - sorry you are in pain - I gather your back home means - in the states - I would have the stitched area you think came loose looked at - that's kind of scary - I know it's always better to be home than in the hospital but sometimes being in the hospital after such a surgery is a good place to be that way if there's any complications everything is at hand.

12 lbs is a lot to lose - definitely up the bulk of your foods like Christine says add more protein and maybe more calorie heavy fluids. I always take a multivitamin for women which also has greens in it - a probiotic - and an antioxidant - which I am told I will have to stop for radiation. (the antioxidant I mean) - I wasn't on anything except for iron when I was in the hospital - but the minute I got home I started taking them again - I believe they help healing immensely.

If you do continue to lose weight and have pain and bleeding I would definitely go back to see the dr. There's always pain - but too much is impeding your healing since you can't eat, drink or sleep properly. Plus the bleeding concerns me. Take care