| | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 | Hi Folks! Hope all is well. I am six months post-treatment and life is pretty darn good: I am back to work full time, back at the gym, and have a lot more more energy. However, the lack of salivary function is troubling. I still can't easily eat anything that is not soupy or saucy. My oncologist says that what you get back for salivary function after radiation comes within the first year. After one year, what you get is all you will get. Since I am just past the half-way mark, I am worried. Does anyone have any advice for how one might encourage saliva? Herbal remedies? Acupuncture? Massage? I am open to anything. My doc says I just have to wait, but I would like to be a little more pro-active while I can. Appreciate any advice. -Michelle
SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Accupuncture has been shown to work from what I've read. Personally my mouth is a barren waste due to the facial paralysis not allowing my lips to close fully, ever. It comes with it's own bag of issues but mostly just inconvenient.
I workout hard and have to keep sugarfree gum and water close at all times especially if I'm trying to eat solid foods. It's doeable though, I don't think about it much anymore.
Good luck, keep your chin up!
Eric
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: 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 have heard from many members that the saliva gradually returns up til the 2 year mark. A few members have even reported seeing progress a little after that point. Dont give up it can get better. Ive heard promising things about accupuncture. Some members also take meds to help with saliva production. It didnt work for me, it made me sweat (something girls dont do). 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  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 | Thanks for the advice. I suppose I will get used to whatever my mouth ends up becoming with regards to saliva, but man I miss bread! -Michelle
SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 | Thanks, Christine, I think I will look into accupuncture. Glad to hear that others experience a return of saliva even after one year. Hope you are doing well. -Michelle
SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.
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