voice box cancer

pakie

Hi my name is Gerry

I'm recovering from cancer of the Larynx\ voice box i have had 25 treatments of radiation finished four months ago. I'm now suffering from side effects coughing at night and excessive mucas in the throat constant spitting.. Is there anyone on here that has had the same cancer and has had radiation followed by these side effects Just need to know how long will this last and will it ever go away. really appreciate any feedback 

Gerry. 

 

wbcgaruss

Pakie Hang in there

You are in the time frame where you will still have some of this. I too thought it was long but then it is not fun, even chokes you a bit if it is heavy enough. I had throat cancer not what you have. I am not sure of the time frame when mine quit. Hopefully, some folks on here chime in and let you know a time frame. But really every case and person, and treatment is different I have read others on here that have dragged on for a long time and others that were not troubled long by it. Check with your care team they know your case but believe me, this will eventually pass it did for all of us. Take care-God Bless

 

pakie

thanks your agreat guy and

thanks your agreat guy and very much appreacated by all on tis site 

ERomanO

"Patience is a virtue" never

"Patience is a virtue" never had such meaning as it does to all of us here.  My cancer was also in a different location (BOT) but I'm sure we've all dealt with excessive muscus and spitting.  It was more than 6 months before I stopped needing to use my spit cup at night at all.  It's hard to say exactly how long because it would just slowly decrease until I suddenly realized that I haven't used it in a while.  I just passed the 9 month mark and I still have my red solo cup on my night stand, but it's no longer used.  It's just a reminder now.  One of these days I'll pitch it as I did with most of the other items that got me through the rough parts.  As Russ said "Hang in there"! 

pakie

great to know your doing well

great to know your doing well wish you all the best into the future and god bless you

Ladylacy

Voice Box

My husband was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.  We used to joke and say we owned the towel paper companies because of how many he would go thru spitting the heavy mucus.  He underwent 75 radiation treatments and 3 chemo treatments the first time.  He ended up having surgery to remove his voice box because the radiation and chemo didn't do anything.  He continued to have the heavy mucus until his he passed.  His laryngeal cancer was cleared but the cancer spread to the cervical of his esophagus and his lungs.  He used a suction machine until the day he passed due to the heavy mucus.  Nothing helped the mucus and he tried everything that the doctors told him about and anything that was mentioned on this board.  It got lighter as time passed but never went away.  Just remember that not everyone has the same problems and they respond differently.  But we did find that the suction machine was a very big help to suction out the mucus in his throat and stoma.

Wishing you the best.

Garrie

Side affects will end

My cancer was in a different location (back of tongue and lymph node) ....35 rad treatments .....however , l don't think that matters. When radiation therapy is given to the throat area mucus seems to be a problem  for everybody. 

I had a real problem with mucus also. I would have to sleep with my head well elevated to  help prevent coughing and choking. Many nights there was no sleeping at all. The mucus started to get better about 4 months post treatment. When l noticed there was a improvement it took about a couple of weeks to finally clear up completely.  

Hang in there....take one day at a time......the mucus dilemma  will end for you too.

 

pakie

Ladylacy said:

Voice Box

My husband was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.  We used to joke and say we owned the towel paper companies because of how many he would go thru spitting the heavy mucus.  He underwent 75 radiation treatments and 3 chemo treatments the first time.  He ended up having surgery to remove his voice box because the radiation and chemo didn't do anything.  He continued to have the heavy mucus until his he passed.  His laryngeal cancer was cleared but the cancer spread to the cervical of his esophagus and his lungs.  He used a suction machine until the day he passed due to the heavy mucus.  Nothing helped the mucus and he tried everything that the doctors told him about and anything that was mentioned on this board.  It got lighter as time passed but never went away.  Just remember that not everyone has the same problems and they respond differently.  But we did find that the suction machine was a very big help to suction out the mucus in his throat and stoma.

Wishing you the best.

voice box

I HAD NO SURGARY JUST 25 TREATMENTS OF RAD .SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND.IM SURE HE WAS AGREAT GUY .HOPE WITH GODS HELP EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE     GOD BLESS YOU        ****

pakie

Garrie said:

Side affects will end

My cancer was in a different location (back of tongue and lymph node) ....35 rad treatments .....however , l don't think that matters. When radiation therapy is given to the throat area mucus seems to be a problem  for everybody. 

I had a real problem with mucus also. I would have to sleep with my head well elevated to  help prevent coughing and choking. Many nights there was no sleeping at all. The mucus started to get better about 4 months post treatment. When l noticed there was a improvement it took about a couple of weeks to finally clear up completely.  

Hang in there....take one day at a time......the mucus dilemma  will end for you too.

 

voice box

THANKS GARRY  THIS IS MY 4TH MONTH TO DAY HOPE YOUR RIGHT AND THINGS START TO IMPROVE       GOD BLESS  ****

kvaseasva04

Coughing

I recently finished 28 treatments of radiation for cancer on my left vocal cord.  I'm wondering how long did the cough last? Mucus is a problem also. What are some remedies? Constant coughing... need some answers. 

wbcgaruss

kvaseasva04 said:

Coughing

I recently finished 28 treatments of radiation for cancer on my left vocal cord.  I'm wondering how long did the cough last? Mucus is a problem also. What are some remedies? Constant coughing... need some answers. 

Welcome to CSN

I am not sure about the cough as far as the duration, I don't recall a lot of coughing except to get the mucus out. It is possible if you control the mucus as best you can it may help your cough. I know I was rinsing with a salt rinse many times a day and I believe it thins it and helps keep it cleared out a bit till you get through this period of your healing. Below is a recipe for a salt rinse and I think you could increase the salt a bit if you wanted. This is from Stanford Health Care.

 http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/patient/mouth_care.pdf

Homemade Mouthwash: Baking Soda/Salt Rinse Recipe: Mix one quart (4 cups) of water with one teaspoon salt and one teaspoon baking soda. Swish and gargle well for 15 to 30 seconds and then spit out. If you have a mild sore mouth, rinse every 2 to 3 hours. You may be advised to increase rinses to once every hour if your mouth is very sore. You may also dip your oral sponge swabs in this for cleaning your teeth if toothpaste irritates your mouth.

Also found this--

With chemotherapy, mucositis heals by itself when there is no infection. Healing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Mucositis caused by radiation therapy usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how long you have radiation treatment.

Hope this helps and maybe someone will be able to identify with specifics to your cough problem-God Bless