I am 86 days out of Rad treatment and Chemo (Cisplatin/Erbitux.

The sores are the left side of my mouth and tongue have cleared-up but the sores on right side remain. These sores are limiting oral ingestion of food to anythging more than foods.

I have used Sod BiCarbonate and Salt wash, Biotene, and Prevention washes. None of the medications seem to resolve the issue. Any advice?

All I get from Oncologist is they will get better over time--My question is how much time is required. I would like to have the Peg Tube removed but that can not be done until I can eat all type of food and sustain myself.

I have an appoint with the Surgeon on Feb 26 2007 and [plan to ask these same questions. Are there any other questions I should be asking?

Sabja,

Sorry no one answered you. I just now saw your post. Hope you found out something from the Dr. on the 26th.

Yes, it will take time. Also keep an eye out for fungus infection which can make the mouth sensitive as well.

I kept my peg tube until 9 months. You will see a lot of changes between 3 & 6 months.

Take care
Diane

Sabja, please let us know what your surgeon said at your appt. I wonder if some of your mouth sores might be a result of the Erbitux [did you have the rash side effect while taking it?] Also, good oral hygene is often very hard to maintain during and after tx. and that leads to more mouth sores. Hope you got some good info from your visit on the 26th. Amy in the Ozarks.

Sabja
My pain Dr prescribed fentanyl lollipops to use prior to eating or should I say drinking my broth. It's short term (15 minutes) but does give a little relief.
Sue

All Thanks for your replies and assistance!!

Saw the ENT surgeon this week. He diagnosed the mouth sores as side effects from the rad and Chemo (Ebitux/Cisplatin) treatments. Basically he wants me gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide three or four times a day to help heal the sores. He gave me Difucan 100mg tabs once a day for the tongue sores which he believes are caused by Thrush and acid/base imbalances because of reduced saliva.

Instead of Hydrogen Peroxide, I am using Prevention Mouth Wash. It seems to help and you can buy it only at Walgreen's. Its primary purpose is to resolve mouth sores due to radiation tratments. I got sample bottle from the Oncology Department at Barnes Hosp.

We will give it ten days. He also said that dental hygiene is a MUST. I am using Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash to alleviate dry mouth which the ENT DR says is the one of the factors for tongue sores.

Any additional help is always appreciated

A hydrogen peroxide gargle ??? That sounds awful to me--has anyone else used this ?? Amy in the Oz

JAM
I omitted a crucial piece of information in my last reply. The Prevention mouth wash contains Hydrogen Peroxide. So I have not used pure Hydrogen Peroxide for the mouth sores yet!!