Hello Roxs-sounds like my dad had the exact same complications as you (severe mucousitis-hospitalized-delayed tx) What worked for him was staying with the pain meds so he could eat and drink.
Are you still on any strong pain meds? My dad's mouth was falling off in his mouth. Happy to say that he is eating everything 3 mos out.
Be paient, keep with some pain meds to take the edge off-drink the lido. You will make it though this-it is amazing how the body bounces back. He was able to completely wean off the pain meds-
Stay strong!!

Hi Roxs,

The dry mouth issue affects us all. I have used oralgel, plus several other oTC products, none with much success. I had some luck with Evoxac which is a perscription drug. At the end of January, there wil be two new products I think may help. Neither has any side effects. They are Numoisyn Liquid and Lozenges. They will be available by perscription and your Rad Oncol should know about them soon.

Hope this helps.,

Steve daib

Hello Roxs, Search here for information on symptoms of oral thrush. Many get it as a result of the changes caused by treatments. One of the symptoms is a burning sensation.

MY husband has found the best relief from a product called oral balance.. it is a gel and has brought tons of relief from dry mouth.. especially at night so he can get extended sleep

I found the oral balance gel is the best thing to use at night too. I still wake with my mouth feeling like a cracked, dry desert though......

I really appreciate your sharing the information about oral balance gel. Is it over the counter or is it presciption? I would really enjoy being able to sleep at night without waking several times with s DRY mouth.Happy New Year!

Oral Balance gel is one of the Biotene products (over-the counter, not prescription). I've found it at Walgreen's and I think some other people on this site have found it at Wal-Mart. Probably some of the other major drug store chains have it as well.

Cathy

I am still without "SPIT", it appears that this is going to be a permanent condition for me according to my league of physicians. I am a VA patient and they send me a product simply called "Saliva Substitute". Manufactured by Roxane Laboratories in Columbia, Oh. On the label the list of ingredients, Sorbitol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and methylparaben in a pleasantly flavored solution. I would argue the pleasantly tasting thing. But, I mix this stuff 50/50 with Biotene mouthwash in a little spray bottle, fits in my shirt pocket, and this works for me. I put my own label on it, "O.P.S." (other peoples spit). I got a wierd sense of humor.
Darrell

Darrell --

Have you tried either of the two prescription meds available --- Salagen and the newer one, Evoxac? As I understand it these won't work if you do not have *some* salivary function left, but if you do, maybe give them a try. Our dental onc says that Evoxac avoids many of the unpleasant side effects of Salagen (the sweats, for example) and our ENT uses it herself (she had radiation for a head cancer 15 years ago) and also endorses it.

Also, on another forum topic, a new product due out at end of January was mentioned:

ALIGN Numoisyn Lozenges
ALIGN Numoisyn Liquid.

These are prescription but as topical materials avoid side-effects of oral meds. Perhaps keep your eyes open for posts about this product when it comes out.

Gail

Darrell,

I also tried the Saliva Substitute years ago and I agree I'd argue the "pleasantly tasting" part of the label.

You still may find that the dry mouth lets up bit by bit over time. During my first couple of years after the end of treatment, my mouth was very dry, but as more time has passed (and with help along the way from Salagen and Biotene products), the salivary function has improved way beyond what I ever thought it would.

Cathy