Base-Tongue Cancer Treatments Alternatives to Caphosol

cfflaherty

03/15/09 - My friend is being treated for base-tongue cancer. He started radiation and chemo last week. He received a prescripton for Caphosol, to be used 4 to 10 times per day. The first day he tried it, he got sick to his stomach and has been unable to use it since. He says he gags just thinking about it. The risk of dry mouth is extreme and I understand the Caphosol is supposed to be the first step in pain management for the mouth sores.

Does anyone know if he can mix this with Biotene or something with a masking flavor so he can use this medicine? Are there alternatives?

bany

hi cfflaherty
i asked my dad's dr about this drug and he didn't want to try it. dad has already finished radiation so i'm not sure it would still benefit him as i read this drug should be used at the beginning of radiation. i just thought i'd let you know that dad found the 4 biotene products helped him alot for the sores in his mouth, he used the mouthwash, spray, tootpaste and overnight gel.

elaine

Craig_Griffin

Caphosol
I am certain that you should get your doctor's opinion about this, but since I began radiation treatment, from 8/09 to 10/09, I have always had a glass of water or iced tea around. I also have it at my bedside and get a sip at night about every 2 hours. Even during the worst side effects of the radiation I was able to wet my throat thisway, although eating from a PEG tube. This is a new way of life for me since it is possible that my salivary glands may never work again, but I am hoping for the best. I know other cancer patients in my area that are doing the same thing. I have to tell you it is not as bad as it seems, and I have learned to manage OK this way. I hope this helps you. -Craig.

RoseEm

Craig_Griffin said:

Caphosol
I am certain that you should get your doctor's opinion about this, but since I began radiation treatment, from 8/09 to 10/09, I have always had a glass of water or iced tea around. I also have it at my bedside and get a sip at night about every 2 hours. Even during the worst side effects of the radiation I was able to wet my throat thisway, although eating from a PEG tube. This is a new way of life for me since it is possible that my salivary glands may never work again, but I am hoping for the best. I know other cancer patients in my area that are doing the same thing. I have to tell you it is not as bad as it seems, and I have learned to manage OK this way. I hope this helps you. -Craig.

I used Caphosol
I had no problems at all with Caphosol and it helped quite a bit. I would not mix it with Biotene. Now I use all Biotene products - toothpaste, mouthwash, oral rinse and keep a spray bottle with me at all times. My niece, however, has dry mouth from a med she's taking and Biotene gives her no relief whatsoever!

I'm almost never without a water bottle, but if you can tolerate milk, I find that seems to coat the mouth longer. In the beginning, I used the salt/baking solution with water and that helped with ulcers and some dry mouth.

During speech therapy I used cold lemon glycerine swabs before I went to bed. My therapist taught me a regimen to go by. That seemed to help and especially helped with thrush. Once I could swallow, however, I found that milk and yogurt gave me more relief. Also, if you can tolerate gum, that stimulates the salivary glands. I could never use lemon drops - burns too bad, but have had others tell me they are better than other hard candies.

I'm constantly trying different things. At the end of the day, I'm afraid it's still a struggle. But I'm better than 6 months ago, and that's a good thing! Good luck.

hildas1125

caphosol
My husband has base-tongue cancer and he swears that this product is the best for taking out the phlegme and for soothing the throat. No insurance covers it, so it is very expensive for us, We have tried Biotine as well, but so far this has been the best. Good luck