My husband B was diagnosed with tongue cancer in june of this year stage 4. He finished his radiation the end of august. He is so frustrated because of the ulcers on his tongue and mouth. He is taking Lidocane w/ benadryl, ulcer ease and now a anti fungal med. He is in so much pain and we are still not sure if they got it all because of all the swelling. If anyone has any suggestions I know he would appreciate it.

B, who is checking his mouth? [ radiation Doc? Oncologist?] Get someone's attention and have them keep trying different meds. till something gives him relief. What kind of pain meds. does he have? It doesn't sound like they are strong enough. Thats another area where you may have to be very insistant about getting help. Keep pushing. Amy

Just today I was discussing my sister's illness with my daughter's pediatrician whom I hold in high regard and asked about mucositis(I think she said this is ulcers /lacerations/and sores which could come from treatment)- my sister is still early in her treatment, starts radiation next week along with continuing her chemo-- anyway the Dr. mentioned something to me called the "miracle mouth" which she learned about in med school - an equal parts concoction of liquid benadryl, maalox and ambusol- either gargled with (ouch) or swabbed on the affected areas. Give it a try if this is applicable- hope it helps.

thanks for the input, he is using the benadryl w/ lidocane. Just yesterday I heard someone else say that there's a med with lidocane and benadryl with maalox. He is also on the pain patch with hydrocone.
Thanks

B,
There were two options offered to my mom that may help your husband. When the lidocaine/benadryl mixture stopped working, one recommendation was to swish Lidocaine straight, This worked for awhile for periods up to about 30 minutes. Something else they offered was a mixture that their pharmacist had to mix. It was referred to as Vanderbilt Suspension. I've looked in my notes, but I don't have a breakdown of what's in it. I know they use it at other hospitals, so you may want to ask your husband's doc about it. If not, email me and I'll contact my mom's doc and ask her if she can get the contents.
Dave

B,

I know I had a photocopy of the recipe for Vanderbilt, but for the life of me I can't find it. I called the in-patient pharmacy at UCH and they confirmed the recipe for Vanderbilt, aka Magic Mouthwash, is Benadryl, Lidocaine and Maalox. I also contacted the pharmacy at Northwestern and they have two other rinses that they offer their patients: Lidocaine, Maalox and Cepacol all mixed together 1:1:1. The other option they offer is a concoction of Hydrocortisone, Tetracycline and Nystatin...although in my unprofrofessional interpretation of these three items, I don't see any pain relieving qualities in that concoction. I think that's used more for fungal purposes rather than pain. In looking through my notes, when the pain was beyond the control of Viscous Lidocaine and the "Magic Mouthwash" my mom was given Dilaudid. I'll also email you inn the event that you don't have a chance to check the forum.I'm so sorry you guys have to experience this. It's a bumpy road, but hang in there. With each day the healing progresses.

Dave

Dave
Thank you so much for taking the time to look into these concoctions. We will talk to the Dr about getting one of these. They did put him on the Nystatin, which your right there is no pain med in that it's just for fungal infection which he does'nt have but I guess it can't hurt or might prevent something from occuring. Thank again we really appreciate it, I have learned so much from everyone hear in the past week that I joined.
Take Care