introduction and question

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tonyb
tonyb Member Posts: 69
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello to all, i have been lurking here during treatment. (35 rads and 3 chemos)i thought that introductions were in order plus a quick question. I am about 2 months post treatment. stage 4 left tonsil, and several accompaning lymph nodes. heres my question,
i have small clear blister that are repeatedly coming up on the soft pallet and the entrance to my throat. when i questioned the radiation oncologist about them he seamed to think that they are a type of ulcer and told me to keep going with the salt/soda rinses and to swab the ares with camphophenique.( thats like swallowing lava)
Has anyone else run into this and is there a cure for it? Please help,because this is really keeping me from eating,and when i do eat, i have to eat behind close doors, because the blisters make me gag when i eat. oh and thanks for all the good information given on here, it made treatment bearable. thanks, Tonyb

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  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    #2
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    Not to worry!
    My ent seemed to think they were small saliva glands trying to come back; but I think it just was the tissue healing from the rads. Mine went away after a few more months!

    Charles
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
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    Irishgypsie said:

    Not to worry!
    My ent seemed to think they were small saliva glands trying to come back; but I think it just was the tissue healing from the rads. Mine went away after a few more months!

    Charles

    Were they like this?
    I had water type blisters. They came about almost instantly after irritation and I could burst them just by running my tongue over them for a short while. They were comprised of water and I could feel them empty when broken. Try a providone Iodine mixed to the color of brown tea with water, rinse and spit. Welcome to the site.
  • GraceLibby
    GraceLibby Member Posts: 88
    #4
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    I had the exact same thing
    Those darned blisters showed up every time I ate and hurt like the dickens. They usually went away a few hours after eating and it seemed like everything triggered them to show up. The docs and nurses were puzzled and couldn't offer any advice other than baking soda / salt, magic mouthwash, and of course time. I think it's just that your mouth and throat are getting accustomed to the rubbing that occurs when we chew and swallow. I'm sorry that I can't offer a decent suggestion. Just know that eventually they will go away. I'm about 4 1/2 months out from treatment. It will get better.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Member Posts: 69
    #5
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    GraceLibby said:

    I had the exact same thing
    Those darned blisters showed up every time I ate and hurt like the dickens. They usually went away a few hours after eating and it seemed like everything triggered them to show up. The docs and nurses were puzzled and couldn't offer any advice other than baking soda / salt, magic mouthwash, and of course time. I think it's just that your mouth and throat are getting accustomed to the rubbing that occurs when we chew and swallow. I'm sorry that I can't offer a decent suggestion. Just know that eventually they will go away. I'm about 4 1/2 months out from treatment. It will get better.

    Yes some are the water
    Yes some are the water blisters, but others are more solid and deeper into the skin. and thanks for the advise, i'll keep hanging in there. and i'll try the iodine / water mixture.
    and yes they do pop up instantly, and recede after a few hours. i am wondering if salivating during a meal, or my mouth watering when contimplating a favorite food could be the main trigger of these blisters
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #6
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    tonyb said:

    Yes some are the water
    Yes some are the water blisters, but others are more solid and deeper into the skin. and thanks for the advise, i'll keep hanging in there. and i'll try the iodine / water mixture.
    and yes they do pop up instantly, and recede after a few hours. i am wondering if salivating during a meal, or my mouth watering when contimplating a favorite food could be the main trigger of these blisters

    What I can and cannot do.
    Tony,
    I cannot comment on the blisters you describe, because I do not believe Mark had them. He is 8 months out of treatment for SCC left tonsil, Stage IV, HPV+, radical neck dissection, chemo and rads. But I can welcome you to this site, and am happy to hear it was a help to you during treatment. It was a life line to me as I cared (and care) for Mark.
    Kim
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #7
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    BLISTERS
    I had the same thing. They are just like if you burn your arm taking something from the oven. I supplemented with L Glutamine which helped to speed the tissue rebuil process.

    Mike
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #8
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    luv4lacrosse said:

    BLISTERS
    I had the same thing. They are just like if you burn your arm taking something from the oven. I supplemented with L Glutamine which helped to speed the tissue rebuil process.

    Mike

    Tonyb
    Tonyb,

    That's one I didn't have, so sorry no advice on the blisters. But I did want to welcome you to the site. Sorry you find yourself here, but lots of knowledge here and even better, a lot of GOOD people.

    Positive thoughts!

    Greg
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #9
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    Food Temperature
    Tonyb,

    Welcome to the board, this is a fine board to be on as there are allot of knowledgeable people here.

    Yes, the blisters do happen and can be random at times. You received a good bit of radiation, so your mouth and throat are pretty much the same as a new born baby's mouth and throat. So, I do have a question for you, do you eat your food at room temperature? If it is anything above room temperature, you might actually be burning you mouth and throat. This problem will improve as time passes. We want to get back to a normal life as soon as possible and in doing so, we sometimes create some other problems along the way. I still eat many of my foods just a little above room temperature and I'm 6 years out now.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #10
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    Greg53 said:

    Tonyb
    Tonyb,

    That's one I didn't have, so sorry no advice on the blisters. But I did want to welcome you to the site. Sorry you find yourself here, but lots of knowledge here and even better, a lot of GOOD people.

    Positive thoughts!

    Greg

    Glutamine works
    Take a look at the following links provided:

    GLUTAMINE


    ARTICLE ON BENEFITS OF GLUTAMINE

    GLUTAMINE

    ARTICLE ABOUT GLUTAMINE AND THE PREVENTION OF MUCOUSITIS IN BMT PATIENTS
  • KristynRuth86
    KristynRuth86 Member Posts: 140
    #11
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    MarineE5 said:

    Food Temperature
    Tonyb,

    Welcome to the board, this is a fine board to be on as there are allot of knowledgeable people here.

    Yes, the blisters do happen and can be random at times. You received a good bit of radiation, so your mouth and throat are pretty much the same as a new born baby's mouth and throat. So, I do have a question for you, do you eat your food at room temperature? If it is anything above room temperature, you might actually be burning you mouth and throat. This problem will improve as time passes. We want to get back to a normal life as soon as possible and in doing so, we sometimes create some other problems along the way. I still eat many of my foods just a little above room temperature and I'm 6 years out now.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    I just wanted to say hello
    I just wanted to say hello and that I wish you the best through your recovery. Take care!
  • tonyb
    tonyb Member Posts: 69
    #12
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    Thanks to all !!!

    Thanks to all !!!
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #13
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    Hi
    No useful info here - just well-wishing.
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #14
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    L Glutamine
    Tony,

    Sweets has all the links. This stuff will help a lot. Mix a heaped table spoon in a glass of water and sip, swish n swallow through the day. You can take several heaped spoons a day so don't worry about the dosage. You can get a large tub online www.iherb.com or other online supply place. This is something you can take for a while while you in recovery. It';s not an immediate fix, but with help your body heal, especially the mucosa.
    I do a teaspoon a day still 18mths out.

    Hope this helps. Keep us briefed how it goes.

    Scam

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