I apologize if this has already been addressed in other posts. I am one week post finishing rad treatments. I am starting to develop a combo of dry mouth and foamy mucous. I I tried to eat some soup and it was a no-go, just couldn't deal with it. So, back to my shakes. This is typical, right? Also, I am still on the Fentynal patches and do not anticipate weaning right now but I want to shortly and am not really sure the best way to do this. Can you share your experiences? Thanks so much.

I can't help with the fentanyl but what you are experience at this point is very normal. Congrats on getting through it. Hugs

Jessica,

As Cheryl stated, what you are experienced is normal. The radiation healing process varies from person to person, but it generally takes a few months to heal. Even though you finished RT, the radiation is still impacting your mouth so it may still get worse before starting to improve.

You will need to wean yourself off the Fentanyl patches and your doctor should discuss that with you. Again, that will vary from person to person and it will depend on your pain level as you step down to a lower dose. Make sure you do not just stop using it as you could go through withdrawal symptoms.

Congrats on finishing!

The patch should be stepped down from. Say you are on 150, for a week or 2 you would go down to 125, then a week or 2 go to 100, and so on. The lowest patch there is would be 12.5. Believe it or not, the 12.5 really is strong! When you are ready to be rid of the patch, make sure your doc takes you slowly off it.

I have passed your post over to another member who also has frothy mucous. They have gone all over for help, but their situation is much different than yours. They have this going on for several years after finishing rads. This is the only member who I have heard of that has the frothy mucous. Everyone else went from the thick,ropey, choking mucous right over to dry mouth. Its part of the healing process.

Best wishes with your recovery!

Thanks. My mucous has decided to change back to the thick, ropey yucko kind. Changing mucous - how lovely! Thank you guys for the responses. Just going to keep using the tussin and hope it eventually helps.

A water pik with warm water will help get the thick ropey mucous out of your mouth. Use it on the lowest setting.

It will be one step forward and one step back for a while. Best wishes with your recovery.

You are doing really great!! Hang in there.
Kathy

You might want to try mucinex for the thick mucus. It seemed to help me more than robitussin. I would buy stock in these items if I new how. The radiation really messes with those lovely membranes of ours. Good luck in your care. Definitely have your doctor help you titrate down off the fentynal. I blew it once and got really ill.

Adfitinal suggestions for the thick mucus is to sleep on an incline, use a humidifier, drink water often and before sleeping, rinsing often with salt water & baking soda solution, rinsing with papaya or pineapple juice, rinsing with seltzer water. I hope these, and the other suggestions help. Good luck.

Thanks. I have been trying everything but I end up spending hours spitting out mucous and then it stops and I have dry mouth no matter what I do. I have not tried papaya or pineapple juice, thank you for that suggestion Paul. My hours have also become so messed up, I am up all night and end up sleeping most of the day. I am just trying to get through these next few weeks following rad treatment as best I can, but it is rough! Sorry to complain, thanks so much again.