My husband finished radiation and chemo 16months ago; had a radical neck dissection 13 months ago. However, he still has on-going radiation damage:
1. he has no saliva
2. his epiglottis doesn't close over so he can't swallow food
3. he has horrible, ever-present mucus that feels like glue in his mouth

He's really depressed about not being able to eat or move along. He uses biotene products to moisterize his mouth; he's doing speech exercises to strengthen his swallowing muscles (so that he can eat some day and get off the feeding tube); he gargles with papaya juice; he's seeing a therapist for his emotional needs and may be starting an antidepressent . But the phlegm is horrible - he's tried everything imaginable - used to use a suction machine, but it's different now. The gunk gets thicker whenever his throat is examined, when the heat is on, when there are allergens ... Any ideas? any help? tried gualifesin (mucinex) but it made him nauseous. Docs say he's coming along and that "he got really cooked" by radiation. But there's got to be some way to get relief from this gunk. Please help. thanks (ENT doc doesn't want to prescribe evoxac for dryness at this time)

Teebird, wish I could give you something more positive, but I want you to know that my husband finished rad tx. last July and still has almost unmanageable phlegm. He uses a suction machine, and has tried just about everything suggested to help. I am really afraid that it will not go away in the forseeable future. His surgeon says it is his body's way of trying to recover from the treatment he has had. Amy

I too cannot eat or drink and couldn't prior to going back into treatment. I just happens to some people. Being depressed or frettinng about it will not change things. If you have a damaged epiglotis, it is a damaged epiglotis and probably will never be any better.
You can try mucinex tablets (Crushed) through PEG or tussin liquid in PEG, and in between keep a small bottle of club soda with you and gargle a swig and spit, this too will help cut the mucous.
Darrell