The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

How do you manage mouth sores from chemo?

Devasted
Devasted CSN Member Posts: 185
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband had first chemo treatment last Tuesday (FOLOX, Avastin w/ pump for 48 hours)
He's pretty tired but doing good. This morning noticed a mouth sore. What do we do?
The support from this board has helped us so much!
Like Care

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard CSN Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #2
    Miracle Mouthwash.....
    I never needed it but someone will pop in here and let you know in a few minutes.....
    Like Care
  • Patteee
    Patteee CSN Member Posts: 945
    #3
    I think the easiest
    I think the easiest treatment is just baking soda, salt and warm water mouth rinses. Frequently! Magic mouthwash will help greatly, but think that is like bringing out the big guns- I mean it will coat and numb the entire mouth- and if it is one mouth sore- guess it depends on how bad it is, how large, how much it is bothering him? It is good to have on hand, cause mouth issues can and do persist through treatment. But I would start with the warm salt/baking soda rinses.
    Like Care
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay CSN Member Posts: 533 Member
    #4
    There is something called
    There is something called Gly-Oxide at the local Walmart or CVS, which I used and it helped with the mouth ulcers. I also gargle a whole lot in saline. But unfortunately, last week I had to get the Magic Mouthwash from my doctor. My mouth was just overwhelmed with sores, but it worked great. Within two days, my mouth was back to normal. So I don't know if it was the mouthwash or the gly-oxide or the combination of both. Hope that helps!

    -Sheri
    Like Care
  • Janet3
    Janet3 CSN Member Posts: 59
    #5
    Mouth sores
    First, I'd like to say how sorry I am for what you're going through. My mom is going through chemo. She has had 3 rounds and no mouth sores yet. We have the baking soda on hand and also the Pink Magic (which you need a Rx for but it works great) just in case. I would definitely start with the baking soda swish or Biotene also works great. My mom uses the Biotene frequently, once every couple of hours, and like I said no sores yet. It's good to have the options on hand in case you do need them. You both will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
    Janet
    Like Care
  • kibitz58
    kibitz58 CSN Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Sores in Mouth
    First by let me say how sorry I am and hope you are blessed. I am undergoing Chemo for Multiple Sclerosis and had an aweful reaction that left sores in my mouth. These sores became unbearable to me and when I called my Oncologist, they made me come in for blood work and checked my mouth.

    After checking, they gave me what I call a Miracle Mouthwash at their pharmacy. It's a combination of Benadryl, Maalox, and Lidocane. WOW! This has really helped me. It helped numb the mouth and make it bearable! You are suppose to gargle with it for just a minute, then spit out. I have used the whole bottle in just one weekend. But you are typically suppose to use it 3 times a day, 15 minutes before meals, and at bedtime. But the pharmacist told me I could use it as much as I wanted since I am not swallowing the mixture!

    I hope this helps and God Bless!
    Heather
    Like Care
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis CSN Member Posts: 893
    #7
    Miracle Mouthwash
    I had one mouth sore and rinsed with the Miracle Mouthwash. By morning, the sore was almost gone. It is a "Miracle" because it works so quickly and effectively. Also, be sure lots of liquids are consumed to keep the mouth from being dry.
    Like Care
  • dash4
    dash4 CSN Member Posts: 303 Member
    #8
    Mouth sore prevention...
    My husband went through avastin and folfiri for 7 months and then 4 years of weekly erbitux and irinotecan and never had mouth sores.....all the treatments replied to your posts do work, but best to never get them.

    I am a dental hygienist and when my husband was diagnosed I started him with a colgate prescription of Prevident 5000 booster ( a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste) and all the biotene products - mouthwash, saliva substitute gel and spray - (he did not use the toothpaste since he was using the Prevident). Any gum you use should have xylitol in it and no sugar.

    These products will also prevent decay, besides preventing mouth sores. The biotene products have an anti bacterial effect like your saliva has naturally and also the enzymes that are in your saliva so they continually boost the natural fighting effects of your saliva.

    Hope this info helps you and others. I know it works.
    Mary Kay
    Like Care
  • heatherstar70
    heatherstar70 CSN Member Posts: 39
    #9
    mouth wash
    my mother had mouth sores and thrush.. she used carafate which is over the counter and they prescribed nystatin which is banana flavored both seemed to help alot

    i hope he gets relief
    Like Care
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli CSN Member Posts: 569 Member
    #10
    Mouth sores
    i rinsed my mouth at least 4 times a day with baking soda and warm water. I also used Abreva on my lips to fend off cold sores. It worked for me.
    Like Care
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne CSN Member Posts: 2,342
    #11
    lizdeli said:

    Mouth sores
    i rinsed my mouth at least 4 times a day with baking soda and warm water. I also used Abreva on my lips to fend off cold sores. It worked for me.

    I....
    ...only got mouth sours once, during my 5th treatment, and there was about 4, including on right on my mouth, it was so painful to eat, so annoying, even the magic mouthwash sure didn't make it last any shorter, it be right back, so I had to see my onc for a check-up, she immediately the Lecovorin from my cocktail, since she said to causes it, and I haven't had a mouth sore since :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
    Like Care

Discussion Boards