Why am I not feeling better yet

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Buzzfam66
Buzzfam66 Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I have Base of Tongue cancer and have been out of 7 weeks of radiation and weekly chemo treatments for almost six weeks now. My tongue and mouth are still covered with sores and my throat stills hurts immensely. The mucous/phlegm continues and still cant sleep more than 1-2 hours at a time without awakening to clear my throut of the mucous. Is this normal? I am getting extremely fruastated.

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  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Hi Buzzfam

    You are only 7 weeks out from treatment but the radiation continues to cook you on the inside, this is normal. Just try and give it some more time and soon things will start to turnaround for you. There are a number of thing you can do to wash out the mucus, I use baking soda and sometimes just plan salt water. If you are having problems with dry mouth at night try a dry mouth spray, I use Stoppers 4. There are a number of other posts here on what you can do for the mucus and I am sure others will jump on soon with some other information.

    Wishing you the best and Welcome to CSN.
    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #3
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    Yes, it is normal, though
    Yes, it is normal, though it's not easy. Even when it takes the normal amount of time to recover, it still can feel like forever. I had a lot of problems after treatment, and had to keep my peg tube for 18 months, so it was a long and slow, and painful recovery for me to get to my new normal.

    With the mouth sores, you may want to try L-Glutamine powder. You put a heaping teaspoon in an 8 ounce glass and swish and swallow. It can be found on line, or in vitamin and healthfood stores, like GNC or Vitaminworld. If you would like to read more about it, look under the section that reads something like Products That Help With Side Effects or something to that effects. Here is a link to the superthread.

    HNC  SUPERTHREAD
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
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    Welcome Buzz
    Welcome to the unit.....I mean family, LOL.

    Like HONDO mentioned,we are all a little different,but most are still cooking a good 4 - weeks after rads have actually ended.

    So in reality,you are pretty much right on schedule. It should start getting better...sloooooowly, very slowly, but it's noticeable.

    I rinsed and spit a lot with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Several others on here recommend glutamine or something like that, LOL... as you can tell I never used that.

    Also, look for Sweetbloods Superthread, it has tons of great information for newbies like yourself...

    Best,
    John
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #5
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    Don't give up hope. My
    Don't give up hope. My husband is two weeks out and the sores are gone. However, everyone is different. Have you asked your doctor for medicine for the sores? Hondo is correct, baking soda or salt rinses and mouth spray may not be tasty but help. Also Majic Mouth wash which is a combination drug you rinse with helps. If you are like my hubby you have to make yourself us the rinses because they are yucky tasting but it helps a lot.

    Good luck and I am praying for speedy recovery.

    Debbie
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #6
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    Not feeling better
    Hi there, It is great to meet another Buzz. Buzz is my husband and his sister gave him the name when he was a baby. The mucous and sore mouth seem to go on forever but you will feel better. The healing will take time but will be enhanced by adequate nutrition. Make sure you get plenty of protein. Regards, Karen
  • MJ70
    MJ70 Member Posts: 75
    #7
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    buzzfam
    I still had my feeding tube for 4 mouths after my treatment ended in May of 2004..Mouth was just like yours...takes time but it does get better..stopper four is great. still use .bioclean and any rinse that looks like it will help..lots fo new normals...good luck Mel
  • MJ70
    MJ70 Member Posts: 75
    #8
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    buzzfam
    I still had my feeding tube for 4 mouths after my treatment ended in May of 2004..Mouth was just like yours...takes time but it does get better..stopper four is great. still use .bioclean and any rinse that looks like it will help..lots fo new normals...good luck Mel

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