My husband has been using the Carrington Oral Mouth Rinse, and it does seem to help somewhat - but it is not alleviating the sores. How long do those darn things last?! I would have thought too, that by now (1 month after treatment) that they would be gone - not "doubling up" and getting "raised". Perhaps it's because he has been eating a few more solids than usual or maybe it was because he had a bit of alcohol mixed in with some egg nog (to help ease the burn) that could be aggravating them. I don't know what else to try. He does use that rinse as I mentioned and this stuff that is nicknamed "magic mouthwash" which is a mix of some anesthetics that you rinse (and can even swallow) that helps ease the pain too. He even has Mycelex Troche which are rather large white wafer tablets that dissolve on the tongue to coat the mouth. All these things do help to some degree. But how long do these sores last? Can this be a sign of an oral infection of sorts? Also, I have also made him the old fashioned concoction of salt/baking soda/water mix too. If anyone who has had or is still experiencing mouth sores can tell me what the duration of these are and if there's any other ideas that can help get rid of them - I would appreciate it. Thanks

Donnajean

Donnajean, I really cannot remember how long my mouth sores lasted, but I know it was at least a month. The point I want to make here is that if his mouth smells the least bit bad, or "off" get him to a doc for some antibiotics immediately. Same thing if he is running a temp. I ended up in isolation for 8 days because my mouth got infected and I had no white cells due to chemo. This was the only scary part of the entire adventure, and happened two days after I was celebrating being all done. Do keep a close eye on those sores.
Joanna

Joanna,

Thanks for the info. I agree- I have done research on the internet, and everyone insists that keeping the mouth clean and checking on those sores is very important for dental health and to avoid other problems later. I guess time is the only thing that will answer it for me as it pertains to my husband, as I know everyone heals at a different rate. My hubby has a whole range of problems besides this....and as of today, he gave me quite a scare because he said he felt "weird" all day...and upon rising from a lying down position - he notices a "heaviness" or "hardness" in his chest. When he was lying down - it wasn't so bad. He didn't go to the ER, although he thought he may have to. He seem to feel somehwat better as the evening went on - but he definitely didn't eat as much for dinner as he has been doing. (said he wasn't that hungry). I remember about 2 1/2 months ago - after his first week of chemo, he contracted pneumonia and congestive heart failure. I don't know what if what he felt today is related - but I strongly advised him to go the hospital if he feels the same way tomorrow. Boy I tell you - if I survive going through this with him, they are going to have to put me in a straight jacket after all of this!

Oh Donnajean, it sounds like your sense of humor has survived, and that will get your through. For everyone but me, the weeks after treatment end were pretty horrible, so your husband seems to be doing about normal. The chest heaviness is scary, and if it persists tomorrow, I don't think you would be overreacting to contact his doctor. You can contact me any time if you need a shoulder to cry on or a pep talk. I give great pep talks (grin). Hang in there!
Joanna

Thanks Joanna for your encouraging words! I think if we try and dwell on this disease and all the negative aspects of it - we would all go nuts! So I try to be positive whenever I can be - but in truth, it's not always easy trying to put on a "happy face" to the people at work or even around family and such when they honestly don't know what you're feeling or going through as a caregiver. I know things are difficult enough for the cancer patient - so my outlet is through this forum mostly - although a good cry in the privacy of the bedroom is always helpful too. The chest heaviness he experienced yesterday doesn't seem to be as bothersome today (or at least he didn't mention it).....and he was able to have a tall glass of milk and some cereal for breakfast as well. Also, is it common to experience anemia or low blood count, because as soon as my husband gets up from bed - he starts getting real cold (almost shivering). Is this because of not enough iron in the diet or what? Thanks for your help - and if you need a lending ear - I will be here as well as all the fine people in this forum too! Bless You!!

Hi Donnajean,

Glad to hear that your husband had cereal and milk today.

I can only respond to the cold part of your question. Ever since radiation I am almost always cold. I have now started chemo and the cold just keeps coming.
The first thing they checked was my thyroid. Radiation to the neck and throat can effcet your thyroid. Mine is O.K., but I have heard it is common for head & neck patients to have thyroid problems. I don't remember the specifics about your husband and I definitely am not in the medical field so I can only share what little I have been told.

If he continues to get cold when everyone else is normal or hot, you might want to mention it to your doctor.

Take care,
Dinah

Dinah, Thanks for the information. I never thought of it being a possible thyroid problem!! My hubby goes back to the doctor on the 10th of this month, so if it is still bothersome by then - I hope he will mention this to him. The chills come and go fairly quickly - he then warms up to the point where he is OK enough to throw back the covers on the bed or blanket from the couch. But I remember back in the "good ole' days".....my hubby was definitely not the type to get cold at all! In fact, it could be the middle of winter with snow and ice on the ground, and he has the fan going! So this is really quite a switch. But I know radiation and it's side effects do quite a number on the human body and hopefully in time, this will not be a problem. It's not really a major issue but sometimes it can be a problem because I have the heat cranked up in our apartment and he is just getting comfortable and I'm ready to fry an egg on my head!! Anyways - thanks angain for the info. I will definitely keep that in mind! Smile and take care!

Donnajean

Hi DonnaJean,
One reason for feeling very cold is due to loss of fat under the skin (which functions to keep body warm) after treatment. Our immune system is being affected and we tend to become much weaker than before. It's important that your husband keeps himself warm and strong enough to fight against common illness like a cold. Eat more nutritious food with high calories and when he gains back his weight, his immune system will get stronger too.Doing some physical exercise can also help a great deal.
Karen.

Hi Donnajean:
I have been finished with my radiation treatments going on 6 months now and I still get chilled or cold easier than I use to. I also had treatments to the head/neck area. The oncologists also has talked about what damage could happen to the thyroid. He has also told me that this is a possible side effect from radiation like I had mine done. I had 20 treatments once a day and the second 20 were completed at a rate of 2 a day. It does get better though.

Hi Donnajean:
I forgot to ask what your husband's sores are from. Radiation or meds, the solution I used was a mixture of baking soda, salt and distilled water. Not sure if this would work or not but might be worth asking your doctor. It worked pretty well for me.