| Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 17 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 17 | I am going to finish 2 weeks post my Radiation therapy. I still see my mucositis has not gone away and the the tissue at the back of my molars is still raw. I am not able to open my mouth more than 2 index fingers with great difficulty. Should I wait for the mucositis to heal completely before I start using Therabite ? If I wait, would I risk the chances of Trismus getting worse ?
Venkat
- Age 34 at DX 4th June 2011, Non-smoker, Non-alcoholic - SCC on lateral right border of tongue, T1-N0, - Surgery done to remove tumor on tongue - RND to remove 9 lymph nodes, no MET(s) - 3 weekly cycles of 50 mg cisplation chemo - IMRT RAD 30 exposures, still 11 more to go
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Stretching the jaw muscles isn't going to help nor hinder your recovery from mucositis. Here's an excerpt my therapist gave me [quote]You may experience some discomfort when you begin your therapy, especially if you have had pain and prolonged immobility. Initially you should be gentle and only stretch to your personal comfort level, with time and patience you will increase your opening and decrease the pain you are having, by gently increasing your spam. Should you experience a different type of pain then normal or increased pain you should always call you doctor just to make sure all is well[/quote]. IMO, you should start now Charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | 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 would begin right away. Just be gentle, go slowly and do not overdo it. You do not want to strain your mouth open until it has healed.
Good luck!!!! 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 | | |
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