Beware or be aware

terryscarlett
terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Everyone should know during rad and chemo treatments, and even after you are subject to get thrush and hairy tongue. Doctors did not tell us to be on the look out for either and David has a case of both at 4 weeks post treatment. The signs are wite to yellow build up on tongue and soar throat. Very dry mouth also. When you have little or no sylavia this bacteria takes hold in your mouth. You have to have meds to get rid of it. Thrush can be fatal if it spreads to the lungs or other organs if left unchecked!!! Just thought I would let you guys know in case you are having this kind of problem. I can't believe the doctors would not tell us to watch for the bacterial infections as we don't go for a check up with them for 1 month after treatments stopped! Has anyone else had this problem? I am just stunned!!!
Terry

Comments

  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #2
    Pat had this problem too.
    Pat had a bad case of thrush in his mouth post treatment as well. Had to be given some pretty potent medications which fortunately wiped it out quickly. We were sort of told that you can get some thrush in your mouth, but no one really told us what it was or that it could be dangerous. Hopefully, the people reading this post will know to look out for it and go to the doctor at the first sign of any problems.

    Hope David is getting better!

    Myka
  • Ed_PortOrange
    Ed_PortOrange Member Posts: 110
    #3
    Thrush a Recurring Problem
    I'm now 8 months post and have had thrush 5 or 6 times since March. The last case was about 2 months back so I hope my immune sytem has gotten strong enough to ward off any future bouts. A ten day treatment of Fluconazole 100mg usually cleared the problem. Hairy tongue and chocolate Ensure sure make a scary site.

    Best wishes & healthy prayers to all you wonderful teammates.

    Ed
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #4
    Thrush
    I had problems with Thrush also - no one told me that it could be dangerous. My doctor told
    me that some people need multiple treatments of the meds to get rid of it.
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #5
    Thank you for this information
    I had no idea it could be dangerous. Thank you!!!

    Katt
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #6
    Pumakitty said:

    Thank you for this information
    I had no idea it could be dangerous. Thank you!!!

    Katt

    Thrush is very common,
    Thrush is very common, unfortunately. I was warned. As a matter of fact I was told another Fanconi Anemia patient undergoing rads died from a fungal infection. Scared me half to death.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #7
    sweetblood22 said:

    Thrush is very common,
    Thrush is very common, unfortunately. I was warned. As a matter of fact I was told another Fanconi Anemia patient undergoing rads died from a fungal infection. Scared me half to death.

    Thrush
    I was told nothing about Thrush, but the Drs. were always on the lookout for it, and I was given a liquid to swish around in my mouth to prevent it, which it did.

    kcass
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #8
    Kent Cass said:

    Thrush
    I was told nothing about Thrush, but the Drs. were always on the lookout for it, and I was given a liquid to swish around in my mouth to prevent it, which it did.

    kcass

    Thrush - yech
    My experience with the dreaded Thrush. I had it 3 times. Used Dyflucan the first time to get rid of it. Careful on using this more than once as I was told it can cause liver damage. Used the Nysatin for the next 2 times. Nysatin is an rx swish and spit. The L-Glutamine has helped some with keeping the Thrush at bay. I found pro-biotics helped me get rid of it and keep it away. Thrush is a kind of yeast infection and pro-biotics really helps with these.

    Hated the Thrush - but that's what helped for me.

    Good luck!

    Greg
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #9
    Swish and spit or swallow
    Doctor told us yesterday that it has suger and could complicate the problem. They gave Dave another round of anti fungal "fluconazole 100 MG" so this is 2 weeks of this med and tounge still looks bad...throat still sore.
    He is trying to eat though and had oatmeal this morn and a bowl of chicken noodle soup this afternoon plus his cans through feeding tube. I am thankful he is trying to eat more and hopefully will help him heal faster.
    Thanks for your info and continued support. Love to all
    Terry
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #10
    terryscarlett said:

    Swish and spit or swallow
    Doctor told us yesterday that it has suger and could complicate the problem. They gave Dave another round of anti fungal "fluconazole 100 MG" so this is 2 weeks of this med and tounge still looks bad...throat still sore.
    He is trying to eat though and had oatmeal this morn and a bowl of chicken noodle soup this afternoon plus his cans through feeding tube. I am thankful he is trying to eat more and hopefully will help him heal faster.
    Thanks for your info and continued support. Love to all
    Terry

    Do Well
    Hope the infection is knocked out soon. Keep pushing the chicken soup - it's a proven immune system boost.

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