Hi, question My husband is spitting up mucous and has a swallowing problem now. His final radiation is Monday June 4th. Question and I know this has been covered. When does the mucous STOP? When should he start to feel like his sore throat is easing off? What is the buildup in his throat all about? (hurts to swallow because if feels like there is lumps in his throat) He is not getting much sleep at the time. He has a humidifier in his room and the noise drives me crazy...I am sleeping in the next room.
Any suggestions.

Carol it's a little different for each of us as far as the mucous goes. As long as the docs are aware of all you posted all you and hubby can do is ride it out. Alot of people have said they used a suction machine that really helped with the mucous. It was almost four weeks before I could go off my pain meds for the sore throat and I didn't start them until the last week of tx. Then at about the 4th week post tx the pain went away and I stopped my pain meds. Now I just try to stay on top of the thrush and try to eat solid food occasionally. I slept as much during the day as I did at night it seemed. I actually never had a huge build up of mucous. I don't know why. Hang in there. For me it seemed like it got a little tougher after tx. Although mid treatment was tough too because of nausea and weightloss and no peg. But it all could have been much worse.

Dear Moma.

I have not been thru this but have read a lot.

Did they give him the "miracle mouthwash"? He should use that and then swallow a few times for exercise. Also, look into a suction machine for the mucosis. I'm sure you will get more responses soon. Good Luck, Petey

Petey, thank you for your reply. We have the miracle mouthwash. This mucous builds up in the mouth and then the person spits in a kleenex etc. A suction machine is not necessary for this spitting. I am familiar with a suction machine and its uses as part of our nursing techniques. (I work with the elderly)I am wondering about the lumps in my husbands throat and when the spitting will stop. I also wondered about his sore throat. 1 radiation left, 1 chemo pending. Thanks again. Carol...

Hey Carol,
I don't have an answer....just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. Good luck!
Guess this is kind of what you were telling me about? not this exactly but the overall experience? I pray that I will be as strong as everyone else is here.
I hope he gets some relief, must be so frustrating.
Donna

Hi Carol

Marvin is in his 6th week post tx and still has mucus problems. But it does seem to be getting better. He doesnt have to spit up as much. We tried something over the counter that was to help with mucus but it only made it thinner and he had to spit it up more. So we gave that up.

Carol,

Mine were gone by the 2nd week post Tx but I was so sick it didn't matter much. By the 3rd week I was feeling much better all around and on my road to recovery.

My mucositis peaked the last week and then 2 weeks after treatment ended. I had terrible nauseau from the muscous emptying into my stomach at night and then I think also blood from the back of my throat. The two weeks after treatment were tough and thennow I m getting better every day. He will turn the corner soon. RAdiation and chemo together are really tough on the body but very very effective in killing all the stray cancer cells.

Hang in there and know that this suffering is not in vein.

Kate B.

Thank you all for your replies. The mucous is getting less and less but there is an acidity taste in my husbands throat. He is complaining of a dry mouth now and as before. Any suggestions. I was thinking the mucous comes from radiation but I am wondering if it is from the chemo. We have water, ointments, oil to remedy the dry mouth but still he has to be awaken every hour when sleeping at night. He sleeps on our loveseat with his head hanging over his body. I bought a recliner (delivered Thursday) for him to sleep in. He cant sleep in bed because of the mucous. Sad state of affairs to see him like this. Thanks again.

Kate B and Mommapez
Can you tell me what you did when having the Mucus problem. David is having alot of problems with this his mucus is abundant. He is up constantly gagging ang throwing up mucus. It is not just some to spit into napkin. Any help or things you did would be most helpful,

He lays down and on his side. I think he should be in a more reclined upright position,,

Thank you all for any advice.