Gary:
I must have missed the info on the waterpik, what do you use this for?? Thanks.

Mike D.

Diagnosed 06/2002, w/Laryngeal cancer 1st stage

Hi Gary, I'm so glad to hear that things have improved greatly for you! The things you are doing, sure seem to be doing the trick, so keep it up! I also want to know more about the waterpik. Besides helping to keep your teeth and gums clean, what else is it supposed to help with? Can this help with mouth sores?

I'm using the WaterPik to take the place of flossing since I have been told that I can't do that. (I didn't have any teeth pulled) I also use the tongue cleaner accessory to cut the thick saliva. It works pretty well. I try to avoid the mouth sores however as they're pretty sensitive. I'm trying to avoid Thrush. Eating is getting very difficult now I started making protein shakes today and stocked up on Boost Plus on sale at Rite Aid 2 for one.

Hi guys and gals.........I used the water pic after my mouth/teeth became too sore to brush. I found it only got rid of the gunk (thick saliva) but it was soothing in my oral cavity. I used both cold and warm water depending on what I cold tolerate. Hope this helps. Bioteen mouthwash is a lifesaver too. Sincerely, Donna

The water pik sound like a great idea, wish I had thought of that during my treatments. Oh well.

On the subject of tooth care, though, anyone have any idea what brand of toothpaste still has decent flouride treatment but not so much of the mint/flavoring/etc? The mint was terribly uncomfortable on the sore areas, almost painful. Using a toothpaste now called Fluocaril, seems not so strong in the taste department, has high flouride level.

Hang in there Gary, it's a literal pain while this is going on, but you do feel better afterward.
Bob

Biotene toothpaste is my choice. It has the floride, and in addition, enzymes (which without saliva you are missing) that help fight bacteria. It has a minimum of mint, so it doesn't burn my mouth like my old pre-cancer favorite Crest. The foundation has been contacted by a new comnpany that is interested in introducing a similar, but much more advanced, enzyme based toothpaste for those with xerostomia. I wil keep everyone here posted about the product as I learn more about its availability. Remember that no toothpaste is going to have the flouride level of using a tray and gel in the evenings. Patients need to stay after the flouride trays to keep caries at bay.

Had a second CAT scan yesterday and the entire airway is open again. The tumor has all but vanished. They are altering the IMRT programming as a result (it'll still be 33 treatments though).
Day 3 post chemo and had a rough day -almost went back to ER (w/fever) But managed to get enough pain killers down me (pink magic, Vicodin and a transdural Fentnyl pain patch and that did the trick) so I could get enough water and food in me to restabilize.

Hi Bob:
I found that the toothpaste from BioTene, and a couple of the toothpaste for sensitive teeth worked pretty well. Did not take away all the discomfort but definitely helped.

Mike D.

Daignosed06/2002, w/Laryngeal cancer, 1st stage

Hi All,
I have 13 radiation treatments left to go. I am not experiencing enough pain to warrant any kind of pain killers or "pink magic" (It is a little sensitive to salty things though). Still suffering from periodic nausea and I'm wondering if that's the radiation buildup kicking in? I have lost a fair amount of weight but the doctor doesn't think I need a PEG. Everything tastes awful and my sense of smell seems to be intensified -strange. I have to force myself to eat. I am getting my 2-3 L. of water a day though.

Gary,
I am glad that things are going well for you. I don't know how you can make it without a PEG. I did not eat for months and even now, 6 months post treatment both my appetite and what I can eat are limited...I could not have survived without the PEG.
Keep up the good work.

Danny G.