Posted By: Dizz_zzey Mucus Medication - 01-06-2020 10:18 PM
Happy New Year everyone.

Just wondered, would it be worth using some over the counter catarrh/mucus relief to help get rid of the stuff that gets stuck in my throat? It's making me vomit at least once a day. I'm struggling to consume my 6 Ensure plus shakes, I'm only managing 3. I'm also struggling to hit a minimum 2 ltr water/liquid a day as it makes my stomach churn when I cough to clear my throat. It's terribly annoying.
Posted By: PaulB Re: Mucus Medication - 01-07-2020 12:21 AM
Yes, mucunex may help, brushing your mouth tongue, if you can, sleeping on a incline will help with excess mucus to be swallowed instead of accumulating in mouth, using a humidifier, rinsing with lightly carbonated seltzer water. Just leave it out awhile so it’s not full strength bubbles. Some may use club soda instead due to less salt.

I hope this helps!
Posted By: r0se Re: Mucus Medication - 01-07-2020 06:10 PM
I found that Mucinex extended release is the best. However, anything with guanfessin (spelling?) should help you. It's the active ingredient in Tussin/Robotussin that thins the mucus in the throat and chest. I also rinse out my mouth with a can of seltzer water. I think the ultimate answer is to learn how to swallow it with water or soda as an aid.
Posted By: ChristineB Re: Mucus Medication - 01-07-2020 07:41 PM
Hi Diz!!!

The mucous may not be something you want to tackle. I’m sorry, I’m not sure if you have already changed over from excess mucous to the dry mouth phase???

The over the counter cold meds will help cut your mucous BUT!!!!... it also dries you out which can promote thrush which you definitely don’t want to have. Check with your doc who should know you the best and if they say take benedryl then follow their directions.

A portable suction machine helps most patients get thru the heavy, funky mucous phase. Check with your doc to see if you can pop in to have a nurse suction the thick phlegm.... drinking extra water, using the baking soda/warm water combo several times a day helps most as well. It’s a temporary situation which most find passes 4-6 weeks after ending rads.

The first 2 or 3 post rads months are rough!!!.... BUT!!!!, from everything I’ve read about your situation, the more I’m positive you have had an easier time than most patients. Unfortunately no, you haven’t sailed right thru it like only a very rare 10-20% of OC patients do but you have done GREAT!!! Keep up the good work and soon enough one day you will surprise yourself by feeling almost ok, close to your former pre-cancer self😁

Hang in there!!!! Your thick phlegm is another temporary phase. The worst is over and your well into the beginning of your recovery phase that can be frustrating with ups and downs, and a few setbacks too.

((((HUGS!!!)))))
Posted By: Dizz_zzey Re: Mucus Medication - 01-08-2020 10:04 AM
Wow! Thank you everyone.

My mucus has decreased a lot, but I get a bit stuck in my throat that makes me vomit when my mouth goes dry. Yup I get the dry mouth, it suddenly comes on. I carry water with me wherever I go so that I can hydrate. Oh and dry mouth at night! WOW!! I'm waking up every hour, sometimes before the hour, to have a sip of water. I've tried biotene and Xylimelt, but because I can move my reconstructed tongue, the stuff just pools in my mouth or trickles to the back of my throat and makes me cough.
When I'm trying to cough to clear my throat it makes my stomach lurch and I end up being sick again. So I wanted the medication to clear the last little bit. A suction machine wouldn't work as the mucus is in my throat. Sometimes it makes my throat feel tight and that's when I gag.

With my sleeping, I'm on the sofa as I kept disturbing my husband with getting up for a drink, or coughing etc, so I tend to start off in bed with him, then move downstairs. I can keep myself propped up too, which has helped.

I gargle with warm salty water many times a day, I use my waterpik to clear my mouth, I'm hitting my 2 ltrs a day, although it is a struggle when I've been sick as my stomach gets very sensitive. I'm not hitting my calorie intake though as I keep being sick. I'm on about half of what I need. I've tried little and often, but I was sick. I tried to space breakfast, lunch and dinner out with 5 hours in between..my stomach didn't like that either. I did speak to my team and they didn't seem massively concerned, but I am seeing my SLT next week so we'll see what they say. Today I am feeling a bit better. My stomach isn't bloated and I didn't feel uncomfortable after my breakfast shake, so I'll try some chocolate milk later on.

Christine, ((huuggss) back to you. Thank you for your compliments. You've given me a much needed boost! I've just finished 2 months post rads, so hopefully by the end of January I'll be passed the rest and will keep noticing the recovery bits.

Right , I can feel a nap about to happen. Have a great day everyone.
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