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#61762 09-15-2007 07:52 AM
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jimmyg Offline OP
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Can anybody offer any suggestions to control excess mucus? I am 2 weeks out of radiation and chemo and 2 surgeries. I have had excess mucus since the first surgery in March, got worse after the 2nd in June. It is so bad some nights I cannot sleep at all for coughing. I thought it would get better after the 35 radiation treatments ended, but not so far.

#61763 09-15-2007 09:24 AM
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JAM Offline
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Jimmy, ask one of your Docs to prescribe a portable suction machine to rent. If you have have insurance, they should pay for it by the month. Sometimes a salt water rince will help clear your mouth for a little while. When did your rad. treatments end? Amy in the Ozarks


CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease

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#61764 09-15-2007 05:01 PM
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I take robitussin for it. I am 3 months post tx, and still sometimes get it bad esp. at night.


Left tonsil SCC, HPV+. T2N0M0. Tonsillectomy 3-07, bilateral radiation, cisplatin 3x, Tx completed 6-06. Clear PET 4-01-2008.
Thyroidectomy 5-9-08, resulting in permanent surgically-induced hypoparathyroidism and adrenal problems. Bummer.
jimmyg #75622 06-13-2008 05:52 PM
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My mom hasn't started treatment yet and her mucus is unreal. She is coughing/spitting all day, it's keeping her up at night. What is a portable suction machine? She has been on cough meds, all kinds of stuff nothing works. It seems like from what I'm reading it gets worse when you have treatment? There is no way it could get any worse for my mom, she goes through at least 3 toilet paper rolls a day. On the suction machine is this something she can do herself or will I need to do it? I'm getting ready to move her within 5 mins of me but not until the middle of July, right now she is 25 mins/15 miles from me. I'm over there 3 times a day to do her feedings.


Tracy
Caregiver to my 76 yr old mom
Supraglottic T3N0M0
PEG, No treatment yet we have to get her teeth pulled on July 14th
Tracysdogs #75636 06-13-2008 06:45 PM
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Jimmy:

You can also sleep slightly inclined, that will help a little. The mouth rince Amy mentioned works. Its 1 tsp baking soda to a quart of water, if you can tolerate it add 1 tsp salt too. Rinse at least 5 times per day. Ask your doc about the suction machine, their nurses can do it for you in the office too. I didnt get one, but did use one a couple times at the doctors office and it was immediate relief.

Tracy..
The suction machine is something to suck the mucous out of your mouth.



Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile

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