Mouth and Throat Sores

Madelyn67
Madelyn67 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm new to this forum. Was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2008. I had the whole removal operation and started chemo in February 2009.

I had my 8th chemo treatment last week and developed sores. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what was prescribed, if anything? I see my doctor tomorrow.

I was also curious if anyone had problems with stoma bleeding during chemo? The doctor told me that the skin around the stoma breaks down and can cause bleeding. I actually had to have the skin around my stoma cauterized.

Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Madelyn

Comments

  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #2
    Mouth sores
    My husband hasn't had the mouth sores and I hope he doesn't. A gal he works with did and some paperwork he got from the onc mentioned L-Lysine. She gave him some. It is by Nature Made. They are tablets and they worked for her. They are 100% natural.
    I don't know about the other. Good luck Paula G.
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #3
    I had them really badly. I
    I had them really badly. I used the saline solution that worked A LITTLE BIT, but I think the doctor can prescribe something called Magic Mouthwash that is supposed to be really good. I think I've just learned to live with them for now, but there was a time that I couldn't even drink water without pain!
  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #4
    Sores
    My Onc prescribed Magic Mouthwash which comes in liquid form. It helped me, but I only had to use it once.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #5
    Mouth Sores
    I didn't get mouth sores, but instead got thrush, which lead to a secondary infection of my digestive system. Every time we got the thrush cleared up, it would be time for Chemo again, and sure enough the thrush would come back. My treatment would be different then yours, since we were treating a different condition, but I was given Nystatin for Thrush, then another mouth rince...don't remember what it was called. Hang in there and remember this too shall pass.


    Debbie
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #6
    Mouth Sores
    I didn't get mouth sores, but instead got thrush, which lead to a secondary infection of my digestive system. Every time we got the thrush cleared up, it would be time for Chemo again, and sure enough the thrush would come back. My treatment would be different then yours, since we were treating a different condition, but I was given Nystatin for Thrush, then another mouth rince...don't remember what it was called. Hang in there and remember this too shall pass.


    Debbie
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #7
    Mouth Sores
    I didn't get mouth sores, but instead got thrush, which lead to a secondary infection of my digestive system. Every time we got the thrush cleared up, it would be time for Chemo again, and sure enough the thrush would come back. My treatment would be different then yours, since we were treating a different condition, but I was given Nystatin for Thrush, then another mouth rince...don't remember what it was called. Hang in there and remember this too shall pass.


    Debbie
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #8
    Mouth Sores
    I didn't get mouth sores, but instead got thrush, which lead to a secondary infection of my digestive system. Every time we got the thrush cleared up, it would be time for Chemo again, and sure enough the thrush would come back. My treatment would be different then yours, since we were treating a different condition, but I was given Nystatin for Thrush, then another mouth rince...don't remember what it was called. Hang in there and remember this too shall pass.


    Debbie
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #9
    grandma2selena said:

    Mouth Sores
    I didn't get mouth sores, but instead got thrush, which lead to a secondary infection of my digestive system. Every time we got the thrush cleared up, it would be time for Chemo again, and sure enough the thrush would come back. My treatment would be different then yours, since we were treating a different condition, but I was given Nystatin for Thrush, then another mouth rince...don't remember what it was called. Hang in there and remember this too shall pass.


    Debbie

    I just....
    ... started getting sores, didn't happen till my 5th treatment, so when I went for my 6th treatment, my onc wouldn't give me the Bolus push, and leucovorin till they cleared, she just gave me the Avastin, Irinotecan and 5FU. But, I use the magic mouthwash, which makes it feel alittle better, I put it on a Q-tip, then apply it directly to the sore, and it numbs it out pretty good :)
  • Julie 44
    Julie 44 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #10
    Shayenne said:

    I just....
    ... started getting sores, didn't happen till my 5th treatment, so when I went for my 6th treatment, my onc wouldn't give me the Bolus push, and leucovorin till they cleared, she just gave me the Avastin, Irinotecan and 5FU. But, I use the magic mouthwash, which makes it feel alittle better, I put it on a Q-tip, then apply it directly to the sore, and it numbs it out pretty good :)

    Magic Mouthwash
    Ask your onc to perscribe Magic Mouthwash..You just swish it around and it nubs your mouth and it helps soooo much..It really saved me....Also had crackes in the corners of my mouth. The onc gave me some cream for that but forgot the name of that but it worked great too..Good luck....Try drinking very warm (not hot) drinks and hold them in your mouth too that helps sooth it...
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    #11
    Julie 44 said:

    Magic Mouthwash
    Ask your onc to perscribe Magic Mouthwash..You just swish it around and it nubs your mouth and it helps soooo much..It really saved me....Also had crackes in the corners of my mouth. The onc gave me some cream for that but forgot the name of that but it worked great too..Good luck....Try drinking very warm (not hot) drinks and hold them in your mouth too that helps sooth it...

    only once
    I only got a mouth sore one time, but had throat sores towards the end. Everyone here mentions magic mouthwash, and I had a prescription for it, but never got it. I used a combo of liquid benadryl and maalox, which was cheaper (since I had both of those things) and I only used it once.
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #12
    Mouth Sores
    Welcome to the forum. I hope you find this place as welcoming and helpful as I do!

    Here's what I do for mouth sores:

    *Brush your teeth with a soft (I use a toddler's brush) toothbrush several times a day
    *Use Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash
    *Rinse your mouth with a mix of: 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, one cup water. I keep this mixture in a travel mug in the kitchen and bathroom and swish/spit everytime I walk through.

    I start this the night before chemo. The cleaner I keep my mouth, the less likely I am to get the mouth sores and the quicker they clear up.

    HTH,

    Kimby
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #13
    Thanks for the info.
    Kimby,

    Thanks for the info. I will be starting chemo Tuesday. My NP said to rinse with salt water. But I like your routine. Thanks!!
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
    #14
    lizzydavis said:

    Thanks for the info.
    Kimby,

    Thanks for the info. I will be starting chemo Tuesday. My NP said to rinse with salt water. But I like your routine. Thanks!!

    That's what I did
    Kimby's suggestions are GREAT... I followed them religiously 3 X per day and it really helped...
    Chip
  • bluesman
    bluesman Member Posts: 1
    #15
    kimby said:

    Mouth Sores
    Welcome to the forum. I hope you find this place as welcoming and helpful as I do!

    Here's what I do for mouth sores:

    *Brush your teeth with a soft (I use a toddler's brush) toothbrush several times a day
    *Use Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash
    *Rinse your mouth with a mix of: 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, one cup water. I keep this mixture in a travel mug in the kitchen and bathroom and swish/spit everytime I walk through.

    I start this the night before chemo. The cleaner I keep my mouth, the less likely I am to get the mouth sores and the quicker they clear up.

    HTH,

    Kimby

    Thank You!
    Thank you so much for the information about the mouth sores prevention. I came to this site just to find such valuable information! Walk in beauty!
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #16
    stoma bleeding
    You have already got some great suggestions for the mouth sores, which I agree with (I use a prescription mouthwash). My sympathies -- mouth sores are truly no fun.

    You also asked about bleeding around the stoma due to chemo. I have never experienced this (and I have had chemo 4 times! various regimes) and also I haven't heard of this before. Which doesn't mean it isn't due to the chemo.....Have you considered other possibilities? Does your appliance fit well? Any bangs to the stoma? Are you comfortable with your cleansing routine? I have had minor bleeding sometimes around my stoma but usually if I'm a little rough with my cleaning or one time when I bashed it accidentally (ouch). Are you in contact with your stoma nurse still? (Also -- does your chemo "cocktail" include Avastin? That can sometimes interfere with healing -- altho it has been a while since your surgery now....).

    Best wishes,

    Tara
  • Madelyn67
    Madelyn67 Member Posts: 8
    #17
    Mouth Sores - Thank you!
    Thanks everyone for your information. The doctor gave me a script for Magic Swizzle, which numbs your mouth. I used it for 2 days and in that time the sores went away. My doctor also gave me an antifungal script, just in case it was something else.

    My blood levels (for my liver) were extremely low, so my doctor put off chemo for at least 3 weeks. Dcotor was worried that the chemo was affecting my liver, so who knows what will happen next.

    Anyone else have problems with their liver blood levels from chemo and what did your doctor do? Thanks.

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