Dry mouth?

MissBlueEyes4Life
MissBlueEyes4Life Member Posts: 35
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Though I am still dealing with mucositis and thick mucus in my throat I've noticed that my dry mouth has gotten worse. My tongue is so dry and my mouth will stick because of the dryness. I tried biotene but that only helps a tiny bit for less than an hour. 

I try to sip water but with my excess mucus still causes me to gag. 

 

I am on my last radiation dose tomorrow. (Yay) Will this improve? How soon? 

Comments

  • bebo12249
    bebo12249 Member Posts: 181 Member
    #2
    The dry mouth and taste issue

    The dry mouth and taste issue will improve but it won't be suddenly ok one day. It improves gradually; sometimes the improvement is not noticeable until one day you realize you have less dryness or you can better taste that plate of your favorite food. It will get better but it is slow in coming and the rate of improvement varies by individual. Not a specific time frame you wanted but it will come...

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #3
    dry I am, it is a H&N thing

    MBE4L,

    Yes it will most likely improve, but the saliva days you remember are (probably) gone.

    I use Biotene, Stoppers4, Oasis, Xylimelts, gum, coconut oil, whatever is out there.  I use 2  xylimelts at bedtime and if I don’t my mouth is stuck shut in the morning.

    I carry a water bottle all the time, but go to use it less and less.  I still drink around 10 glasses of water a day and generally go through 2 glasses per meal.

    You just need to see what works for you.  Maybe, you will return to the land of saliva, but I did not.

    Cheers,

    Matt

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