Hello again,

I'm really hitting the cyber-airwaves this couple of days. Thanks for all bearing with me.

Simon is having trouble keeping anything down, because of gagging on mucous and what he feels is an obstruction. The "obstruction" is the thing making him gag. He says he feels something is damaged down his throat because of the radiation, but I have suggested to him that the radiation probably does this as a matter of course, and will be part of what needs to mend when he finishes treatment.

Have any of you had this experience?
Linda

Im not sure what your brother is feeling having something stuck in his throat. its best to discuss this with his doctor. If he is struggling with weight loss he may get a feeding tube to help with nutrition and hydration. If your brother is not getting enough calories and water daily, he will soon feel terrible. Here in the US we are told to get a minimum of 48 oz of water and 2500 calories daily. If he only gets half one day and thinks he can make it up the next day, it doesnt work like that. Every single day he needs this, more is even better! If your brother gets a feeding tube, he still needs to swallow water or some liquids every single day so he doesnt have bigger problems down the road. I know radiation is difficult, soon it will be over and all a distant memory.

As far as the thick mucous, ask the nurses at his treatment facility to help him by suctioning out the mucous. A suction machine will get alot of the gunk out from his throat. It will make him feel much better. If he drinks more water than that should help with the mucous too. I have used cold medicine like benedryl or musinex to help control the thick mucous.

Good luck!!!

Thankyou Christine for responding so promptly. I greatly appreciate it. I've just rung my sister-in-law with your suction suggestion. This is why this blog is indispensible for OC sufferers and supporters. Regards, Linda

Hi again, Christine.

I've just spoken to Simon. He's just come out of RX. I think they've given him a nebuliser, and he is going to the pharmacist to get mouthwash and Benedryl.

He says his throat is too sore to put anything down to suction out mucous. Is that how it would work - a tube down the throat and pumping it out? Apologies in advance for any dumb questions.

Hi there yes that's how suction works! Been there done that - NOT fun! His throat may feel obstructed by the swelling - and tightening caused by the radiation as well - right from the outset mine felt very tight and didn't loosen up for some time after I was done treatment! Mine is still not completely normal but believe it or not yawning helped! It stretches those muscles. I gagged a lot as well from the mucous best recourse is to Spit it out. (seriously I used to hack it out constantly - ) take a cup or something
Grab the salt water / baking soda mixture rinse gargle and spit it all out. This sets the baking soda down farther than just a swish which helps heal, and helps clear out the mucous though I have to say I fell totally in love with my water pik during this time, I picked up a natural mouthwash with no alcohol in it - I would add a little bit to Lukewarm water in the waterpik canister turn it on the lowest setting and blast it around my mouth - it would clear out all the goup, and make me feel fresh for a bit. It was also a great too for keeping the mouth clean and avoiding infection.(I used it after every meal and before bed! Best of luck! Also i know his throat is tender but tell him to get a big bottle of club soda - leave the lid off it, and stir it frequently until it goes flat, cover the opening with something though to keep stuff from getting in it (paper towel?)- once its flat you can cap it - leave it at room temp so i left mine on the counter - he can actually drink this which is great because it acts the same way as the baking soda mixture but it goes all the way diwn, helps preserve the swallowing reflex, gives him fluids, and clears out some if the mucous! Tell your brother to take care - he can do it!

Hi Linda, unfortunately gagging/choking on mucous is one of the side effects of radiation. Kris too suffered terribly. He was helped heaps when the hospital (in NZ) gave him a "VICKS STEAM INHALER - personal electric inhaler. This consisted of a machine you filled with some water and a mask/hood you leant your face into which trapped the steam for you to then inhale/breathe. This adds water to the mucous which loosens it enough so that you can spit/cough it out, This alone helped Kris during his radiotherapy and he used it often through the day/night.
There is a website on the box so I'll put it here
www.kaz.com/vicks
Hope this helps. I'm sure you can source one in Oz.
Tammy

What is a pik, Cheryl ?

Thanks very much, Tammy. I'm passing your post on to Simon's wife. Cheers, Linda

Hi there - a waterpik - it's a small machine that sits on your bathroom counter. It consists of a stand, a wand with different detachable heads and a well you fill with water - I always add a bit of natural non alcoholic mouthwash. Once you fill the well and attach the head you turn it on and water shoots out the tip of the wand! It's great for cleaning between teeth and along the gums (almost like a liquid tooth flosser) Its adjustable to different pressures - and I usually fill it with Luke warm water ) one of the heads is shaped like a small spoon that's for cleaning your tongue and I used to used it for the inside of my cheeks! Gets rid of gunk etc... About 50-60 Canadian dollars, and available at most drugstores and department stores with a pharmacy dept. Usually kept near the tooth pastes and mouthwashes ! I'm sure they have them in new Zealand as well but if not check online! And good luck! it really is a great little gadget! Take care!

Choking on mucous happens to a lot of us. After my surgery, the doctors prescribed a home suction machine. It has a long flexible tube that I just stuck in my mouth and it sucked up the mucous. I used it for months. It was just rented and they deliver and pick it up.
The first time I had cancer, I used seltzer water about ten times a day to gargle and that broke up the mucous so I could spit it out. I used to buy six cases a week since I used a new can each time for maximum fizz to burn out the mucous.
I never had any doctor suction my throat so I can't comment on that
It is scary to feel like you are choking. But you eventually get the hang of bringing it all up. You can also use tissue to swab the inside of the mouth.
charm