I'm about 20 rad treatments in along with chemo and am having only ONE major issue so far.

MY LIPS ARE ON FIRE!!!!

I'm thinking it's the 5FU causing this rather than the the radiation. No matter the cause, I'm open for ANY ideas for relief. The Dr has set me up for the usual stuff like the 'magic mouthwash', Hydrocodone, Triamcinolone, and Lidocane Viscous 2% liquid. They all help...but it's only TEMPORARY. As soon as any of these start to dry out (which is not that long)...the burning is back.

I'm looking for any OTC stuff or home remedies that may help keep the lips moisterized longer than 20 minutes or so for LONGER relief?????

Carmex???
Zilactin???
Epicuren???

I'm sure somebody here has used something that has helped them on this and I would really love to here your ideas????

Hi Garyock,

Wish I could help. The 5fu destroyed my mouth for 4 months. Mucuitis was horrible . Probably the main reason I needed the morphine. Magic mouthwash doesn't touch it. For me it was the inside. Lips, I didn't deal with. Hopefully someone can help. Maybe there is a topical cream that you could use.

Steve Daib

Gary, I used Aquaphor on my lips during radiation AND for months afterward. My radiation nurse gave me a sample, it worked great, and I found small and large tubes of it at Walgreens.

Gary, lidocaine is available in a solution of some kind of oil, probably mineral. I have it right in front of me it is manufactrued by MGP (?), Lidocaine Hydrochloride oral topical solution USP 2% (viscous) (for oral use only)(100ml bottle), NDC #60432-464-00 6505-00-063-6197.
Darrell

Darrell:

The Doc gave me a prescription for Lidocaine Viscous 2% Oral Sol.

This stuff works GREAT for immediate relief...but... it drys out after a VERY short time and I'm back where I started. The key is something that will KEEP my lips MOISTERIZED for some period of time (like when I'd like to sleep for more than 1 or 2 hrs).

It's my understanding (from reading stuff on here) that items that contain PETROLEUM are the worst thing to use since they dry things up even worse after use and immediate effects wear off.

I tried ORAJEL Mouth Sore Medication and it seems to work ok...BUT...be ready for absolute INSTENSE pain for about 4 seconds when 1st applied. Think it has alcohol in it?

I've used the Aquaphor and it works ok..but, then again not for long periods.

There's got to be something out there.