Hi, we are new to this site & are seeking more knowledge. Bob finished 35 sessions of radiation 1 week ago for cancer at the base of his tongue. He is recovering ok, but having trouble coughing up large amounts of phlegm. Sometimes it is more like vomitting & seems to be worse at night. He is taking Boost+ and water thru a feeding tube as it is still painful to swallow. Any help/suggestions on addressing the phlegm situation. We appreciate any help. Thanks!

Bob & Laurie, Welcome to the site. Sorry you had to find us and am glad to hear you finished rad treatments. I know it is tough for you now. Just keep in mind that this is as bad as it gets. In a few weeks, you will notice an improvement and it just keeps getting better from there. You just have to get through this time when it is tough, but you will, we all have. So welcome to the club nobody wants to join.

As far as the phlegm goes, it is part of the experience. Radiation is the treatment that keeps on giving and you just have to get through it. I spent many a time vomiting into the toilet, just as you are, trying to clear that stuff from my throat. I couldn't talk or eat or even swallow my own saliva. I had a peg also and that kept me alive. But you will get through it just hang in there.

Some of the other members on the board have tried some things to help the phlegm, but when I asked my rad doctor, he just raised his shoulders and told me there was nothing they could do. So I just hung in there and in about 3 weeks it went away. At least most of it did. I still have some issues with it, but it is 95% better than in the first 3 weeks. My doctor also told me that it can take up to 2 years for all of the side effects to settle down and for me to be in the final condition of post treatment, so I am still "on the mend" as they say.

Hope this helps a little. Will add you to my prayers.

Bob & Laurie,

Welcome to the neighborhood. Believe it or not, you are at the worst point in this journey. Some things to do include elevating the head while sleeping, rinsing out the mouth regularly, get a humidifier close by as often as possible, take Guaifenesin in some manner, either liquid (i.e. Robitussin) or Humibid LA. If you opt for the liquid avoid drinking it or your hair will certainly stand up as you scream because it will really burn the throat.

The brown goo as I call it will subside but it may take a while like a few weeks or a few days. Just imagine Crytal Gayle singing "Don't it make your brown goo clear." because once it starts getting less brown, it will be much better all around.

Hang in there. It will get better.

Ed

Thank You! I can't tell you what a relief it was for both of us to know that this is a "normal" part of healing. It is very exhausting for both of us as Bob only sleeps maybe an hour at a time before he wakes up coughing. As you have experienced, the vomitting is very painful. We have wonderful doctors, but you know how it goes, they never tell you everything to expect. We are not enjoying the surprises. Thank you very much for sharing info with two rookies.

Welcome Bob and Laurie, Spend some time using the search function here and you will find alot of good information. Of course you should feel completely at ease asking questions as well. There are many people here whom have been where you are. I don't remember many questions that didn't get answered here.

Take care and healing thoughts to you both.

Bob & Laurie
Mucositis, is no fun and it is an incredible nuisance. Robitussen or any generic expectorant 4 times a day through the Peg is about all you can do to help a little.
Everyone recovers differently but it could be up to a year before you are able to swallow comfortably. I just returned tonight from the VA dysphagia clinic (Swallowing). I am 7 Months out of treatment and still have mucositis and cannot swallow very well.
Darrell

Bob & Laurie,

Mark is right. You will find many suggestions if you do a search of the forum. I think a lot of the best have already been posted here, but one excellent one I can recall is Joanna's suggestion of rolling up squares of gauze and placing them in the gutters of the mouth. This absorbs a lot of the mucous before it starts down the throat. This worked very well for Heather. It should allow Bob to get an extra hour or so of sleep at a time.

Also, if you don't already do so, use tissues to wipe out the goo. Extra Strength Puffs are especially good, as they are both soft and strong. They won't start to fall apart like some of the cheaper tissues, but they won't irritate your mouth as much, if at all.

As far as rinsing the mouth, some people used water, but some used something a little fizzy, like club soda. The carbonation helps cut the mucous better than water, as long as the fizz doesn't irritate an already sensitive mouth. Hang in there. It does get better.

Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie