Mouth Sores & Sore Throat with FOLFOX & Avastin

KFen725

Hi, all! I know I've seen mentions here or there of how to deal with mouth sores & raw throat stuff when on chemo, but just thought maybe I could get some tips from you all to pass on to my mom... She had her 2nd session of FOLFOX & Avastin this past Tue-Thur and it has hit her VERY hard - more fatigue and now the sores. And of course as you know, this leads to not much of an appetite when it hurts to eat!

So my questions are two:

1) Any advice on how to deal with the mouth issue?

2) Any food that is easier to eat while having this sore stuff?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Patteee

oh dear. I was hospitalized
oh dear. I was hospitalized for a week with mouth sores. It got so bad, my mouth was so swollen, I couldn't speak- was on IV fluids and some anti-fungal thing for a week- the nurses kept asking me if I could swallow my spit- that if it got to the point I couldn't, then, well, thanking God it never got to that point

First thing is just rinsing the mouth out- warm water, salt and baking soda- often and more often, and then some more. Gargle it if she can.

Get a script for magic mouthwash- I think most onc are very familiar with this. I also used a liquid morphine- I used both everyday for 2.5 months. It isn't very encouraging that after treatment #2 she is already getting them. It will probably be an issue throughout treatment, these dang sign affects from chemo tend to get worse with each infusion.

The magic mouthwash and liquid morphine gave me somewhat of a respite, I had a window of about 10 mins after using them where I could eat. Ensure or boost (mic it till warm, then sprinkle cinnamon on the top), peanut butter, apple sause. It wasn't just the pain and soreness with the mouth sores, it was also then the taste of anything. My taste buds were fried, and I mean fried. Everything tasted like, well like, crap. The mouthwash would actually coat my tastebuds, and even though nothing tasted good, I could manage to get some calories in.

Hopefully your Mom will start coming around in the next couple of days and rebounding a bit from last weeks chemo. I would strongly suggest doing the mouth rinses of water, salt and baking soda every single day even when the mouth starts to feel better.

ittapp

Patteee said:

oh dear. I was hospitalized
oh dear. I was hospitalized for a week with mouth sores. It got so bad, my mouth was so swollen, I couldn't speak- was on IV fluids and some anti-fungal thing for a week- the nurses kept asking me if I could swallow my spit- that if it got to the point I couldn't, then, well, thanking God it never got to that point

First thing is just rinsing the mouth out- warm water, salt and baking soda- often and more often, and then some more. Gargle it if she can.

Get a script for magic mouthwash- I think most onc are very familiar with this. I also used a liquid morphine- I used both everyday for 2.5 months. It isn't very encouraging that after treatment #2 she is already getting them. It will probably be an issue throughout treatment, these dang sign affects from chemo tend to get worse with each infusion.

The magic mouthwash and liquid morphine gave me somewhat of a respite, I had a window of about 10 mins after using them where I could eat. Ensure or boost (mic it till warm, then sprinkle cinnamon on the top), peanut butter, apple sause. It wasn't just the pain and soreness with the mouth sores, it was also then the taste of anything. My taste buds were fried, and I mean fried. Everything tasted like, well like, crap. The mouthwash would actually coat my tastebuds, and even though nothing tasted good, I could manage to get some calories in.

Hopefully your Mom will start coming around in the next couple of days and rebounding a bit from last weeks chemo. I would strongly suggest doing the mouth rinses of water, salt and baking soda every single day even when the mouth starts to feel better.

Magic mouthwash for sure.
Magic mouthwash for sure. Eating cottage cheese, yogurt, ensure drinks with a straw just sip a little at a time. Some broths could help sipping also with a straw might work. She will be better in a few days. God Bless, Patti

dianetavegia

Mixture
I have had throat sores with the last half of my chemo and Kimby told me her secret. It worked wonders for me.

1 tsp salt
2 tsp Baking soda
Mix into warm water and gargle/ swish every chance you get. Kimby began this before chemo to ensure her mouth was clean. I followed her advice and my sores went away quickly each time and were never really painful.

It's cheap and it works.

FOOD: Chili! I could TASTE it.

KFen725

thanks
I will share this info with my parents! Thanks for all your help.