Vomiting due to excess mucus

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amy_h414
amy_h414 Member Posts: 98
edited June 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband has had 23 rads as of today. He's having a rough time with lots of mucus in his mouth and throat, which then drains down into his stomach, which then makes him vomit. Nothing seems to help. He's taking zofran for nausea, reglan to help move things through his stomach quicker, and some tussin (generic Musinex) to try to thin the mucus. Not helping.

Anybody dealt with this and found a way to reduce the mucus? I know there's not much to be done about it thanks to the radiation, but the vomiting is not good. He's losing weight and a lot of what goes in him comes back up later. He says he doesn't feel nauseated, it just feels like his stomach is roiling from all that gunk.

Help?

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  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #2
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    mucus...
    Hey, I'm sorry to hear about this...your right it is from the radiation. I used same meds, helped a little. He needs to push fluids when can, or will end up in hospital dehydrated. (I did twice) Also I split my eating up 6-7 times a day. Didn't even feel like eating. There should be someone you can talk with at your cancer center for advice on this....most of the nurses are very knowledgable and helpful. Wish I could help more...best wishes ! Katie
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #3
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    Amy, so sorry he is going
    Amy, so sorry he is going through this. Vomiting and nausea have to be the worst feelings. You did not mention if your husband is using the saltwater and baking soda rinse. This helps clean the mouth and throat. My husband also used Musinex, the kind with out decongestants as the dry out the mouth. Several on here used a suction machine. I believe you need a script from doctor. Talk to the nurses and doctor. Do not want to dehydrate because that can be deadly.

    Praying things get better.
    Debbie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
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    Suction Machine...
    Amy, many on here have used a suction machine, I'm sure someone will chime in soo for specifics...

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John
  • amy_h414
    amy_h414 Member Posts: 98
    #5
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    jim and i said:

    Amy, so sorry he is going
    Amy, so sorry he is going through this. Vomiting and nausea have to be the worst feelings. You did not mention if your husband is using the saltwater and baking soda rinse. This helps clean the mouth and throat. My husband also used Musinex, the kind with out decongestants as the dry out the mouth. Several on here used a suction machine. I believe you need a script from doctor. Talk to the nurses and doctor. Do not want to dehydrate because that can be deadly.

    Praying things get better.
    Debbie

    he does the salt and soda
    he does the salt and soda rinse several times a day. He also carries an empty water bottle around with him to spit into so he's not always swallowing it.
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #6
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Suction Machine...
    Amy, many on here have used a suction machine, I'm sure someone will chime in soo for specifics...

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John

    suction machine
    I used to vomit every 2-4 hours and then got the suction machine. i hardly vomited again.
    It is a miracle that the machine took enough mucous to not constantly drip into my stomach.
    I'd call your doctor and get a prescription for the machine. Insurance pays for it.
    Trust me it will make him better, no drug ever worked for me to stop the mucous. good luck with this,
    all the best,
    Steve
  • amy_h414
    amy_h414 Member Posts: 98
    #7
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    hawk711 said:

    suction machine
    I used to vomit every 2-4 hours and then got the suction machine. i hardly vomited again.
    It is a miracle that the machine took enough mucous to not constantly drip into my stomach.
    I'd call your doctor and get a prescription for the machine. Insurance pays for it.
    Trust me it will make him better, no drug ever worked for me to stop the mucous. good luck with this,
    all the best,
    Steve

    Thanks
    I'm going to suggest that he ask the rad onc about this at his appt on Tues. Something has to be done, I know he feels wretched.
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    #8
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    jim and i said:

    Amy, so sorry he is going
    Amy, so sorry he is going through this. Vomiting and nausea have to be the worst feelings. You did not mention if your husband is using the saltwater and baking soda rinse. This helps clean the mouth and throat. My husband also used Musinex, the kind with out decongestants as the dry out the mouth. Several on here used a suction machine. I believe you need a script from doctor. Talk to the nurses and doctor. Do not want to dehydrate because that can be deadly.

    Praying things get better.
    Debbie

    Mucinex and Spit cup!!
    I pretty much walked around with a spit cup and a wash cloth, once my swallowing ability was compromised, so swallowing mucus wasn't too much of a issue!!

    Used liquid mucinex, also to help with mucus!!!

    I felt suction wasn't worth the noise and hassle; I had one but didn't really use it and I'm a Registered Nurse so I know the purpose; just sayin!
  • sunshine_64
    sunshine_64 Member Posts: 50
    #9
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    vacuum machine works
    Contact your nurse/doctor to see if they will prescribe a vacuum machine - I had the same issues
    and the company even delivered to my house. It's pretty easy to use - you have to be careful not to
    go too far in, but you can get quite a bit of relief using one of these. Yesterday I was panicked after
    losing my voice (nothing but a whisper came out) - then I tried the vacuum process and my voice
    returned (a little hoarse, but better than nothing). The nausea is terrible - this really works better
    than the mucinex in my view.
  • chimay
    chimay Member Posts: 5
    #10
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    I defeated the mucus
    I defeated the mucus problem. I've talked to my doctor for suction my machine and he prescribed it so my insurance paid it for me. With the suction machine, rinsing baking soda and salt water,spitting out (need a spit bowl) as much as you can, drink alots of water will take care of it. Sorry, we had to go thru all these but sharing experiences will help us how to deal w/ these. good luck hope will work for you as it did for me. Oh it reminds me, my doctor gave me a cough me medicine to thinner the mucus but when I read the medicine it may cause you naseua when to take. If am nasuea I dont wanna take a medicine that can make you more nasuea. that just me. So noway did not take the cough medicine. Good luck again..

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