mouth sores post radiation

TBOB
TBOB Member Posts: 19
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Currently using baking soda and water rinse, magic mouthwash from pharmacy(lidocaine), biodyne mouthrinse and gel, diflucan(yeast) and my tounge is still killing me! any suggestions?
«13

Comments

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
    One more thing...
    Time. It eventually heals all these sores. How far out are you from end of radiation? A certain amount of pain is to be expected, post radiation.

    Healing thoughts.

    Deb
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Baking Soda & H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)
    My daily rinse consisted of about 1/3 cup water and a tables spoon of baking soda and a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

    Everyone is different, but I had no mouth sores...I did have a sore mouth and throat though, but only when I swallowed...:)

    Best,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Baking Soda & H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)
    My daily rinse consisted of about 1/3 cup water and a tables spoon of baking soda and a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

    Everyone is different, but I had no mouth sores...I did have a sore mouth and throat though, but only when I swallowed...:)

    Best,
    John

    I would try the L-Glutamine
    I would try the L-Glutamine if you haven't tried it. You can buy it at GNC. I think it works. Some linksf to read about it if you like:

    ARTICLE ON BENEFITS OF GLUTAMINE



    GLUTAMINE

    ARTICLE ABOUT GLUTAMINE AND THE PREVENTION OF MUCOUSITIS IN BMT PATIENTS

    One heaped tsp in a glass of water. Swish and swallow.
  • ekdennie
    ekdennie Member Posts: 238 Member
    #5
    sounds weird
    this may sound weird, but when I started brushing my teeth four or five times a day with biotene, my sores healed up much faster...it hurt really bad the first couple of times, but it really seemed to help, along with the rinses. good luck...wish I could offer more help!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Baking Soda & H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)
    My daily rinse consisted of about 1/3 cup water and a tables spoon of baking soda and a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

    Everyone is different, but I had no mouth sores...I did have a sore mouth and throat though, but only when I swallowed...:)

    Best,
    John

    Same here as John
    Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide and a ruff ride to the end of treatment

    All the best to you
    Hondo
  • Clearblue
    Clearblue Member Posts: 186
    #7
    ekdennie said:

    sounds weird
    this may sound weird, but when I started brushing my teeth four or five times a day with biotene, my sores healed up much faster...it hurt really bad the first couple of times, but it really seemed to help, along with the rinses. good luck...wish I could offer more help!

    WHAT??!!
    Many of you folk are taling about mouth sores after RADS.
    WHAT??!!
    "we"re 8 days of planned 35 into RT and she has mouth sores and her throat hurts, specially when eating. So ure saying its from now on and beyond?!?

    THe Onco nurse sugested OXCYCOT fro pain, But she declined (opiate) for now, so early on.
    So in retrospect how effective was all of the below?

    Looks like the main 4 ive read on this site are :
    Bicarbonate+/salt/+peroxide
    Magic mouth wash (different types depend on where u buy it)
    Biotene products(which i understand as being more for dry mouth issues? right?)
    glutamine - (How soon has this wirked for those whove tried it?)

    Also her voice has almost gone to whisper.
    and she has a bit of a wheezy , phlegmy cough.

    In admiration still
    Clear
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #8
    Clearblue said:

    WHAT??!!
    Many of you folk are taling about mouth sores after RADS.
    WHAT??!!
    "we"re 8 days of planned 35 into RT and she has mouth sores and her throat hurts, specially when eating. So ure saying its from now on and beyond?!?

    THe Onco nurse sugested OXCYCOT fro pain, But she declined (opiate) for now, so early on.
    So in retrospect how effective was all of the below?

    Looks like the main 4 ive read on this site are :
    Bicarbonate+/salt/+peroxide
    Magic mouth wash (different types depend on where u buy it)
    Biotene products(which i understand as being more for dry mouth issues? right?)
    glutamine - (How soon has this wirked for those whove tried it?)

    Also her voice has almost gone to whisper.
    and she has a bit of a wheezy , phlegmy cough.

    In admiration still
    Clear

    Clearblue, it can take a
    Clearblue, it can take a very long time for the mouth to heal up after radiation.
    I would use these products from the start. None of these things are going to keep the mouth sores away, but they will all help a little. Not using them it would be even worse.

    Don't forget the radiation side effects do not peak until two weeks or so after the radiation stops. It is a very rough ride for about four to six moths. Was longer than that for me.

    Please tell your wife to take the pain meds if she needs them. "too early" not with standing. There is no reason to suffer more than necessary. She will need her strength and sleep, pain disrupts that. Pain also is easier to manage before it gets totally out of control.
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #9
    Clearblue said:

    WHAT??!!
    Many of you folk are taling about mouth sores after RADS.
    WHAT??!!
    "we"re 8 days of planned 35 into RT and she has mouth sores and her throat hurts, specially when eating. So ure saying its from now on and beyond?!?

    THe Onco nurse sugested OXCYCOT fro pain, But she declined (opiate) for now, so early on.
    So in retrospect how effective was all of the below?

    Looks like the main 4 ive read on this site are :
    Bicarbonate+/salt/+peroxide
    Magic mouth wash (different types depend on where u buy it)
    Biotene products(which i understand as being more for dry mouth issues? right?)
    glutamine - (How soon has this wirked for those whove tried it?)

    Also her voice has almost gone to whisper.
    and she has a bit of a wheezy , phlegmy cough.

    In admiration still
    Clear

    Mouth Sores & Beyond
    Hi Clear,

    My mouth sores totally disappeared about 2-3 weeks post treatment. I didn't have a severe problem with them. I used the baking soda/salt & the L-Glutamine. Thanks to Scam, I began using the L_Glutamine early on so cannot say how fast it worked.

    My dentist gave me Solcoseryl, which is dental paste. It worked wonders on the mouth sores. I only had a few sores overall and it helped to clear up most, though I had 1-2 persistent ones. After applying the paste to the mouth sores the relief I felt from the pain was almost instantaneous and it lasted for hours. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • Ron49
    Ron49 Member Posts: 91
    #10
    sweetblood22 said:

    I would try the L-Glutamine
    I would try the L-Glutamine if you haven't tried it. You can buy it at GNC. I think it works. Some linksf to read about it if you like:

    ARTICLE ON BENEFITS OF GLUTAMINE



    GLUTAMINE

    ARTICLE ABOUT GLUTAMINE AND THE PREVENTION OF MUCOUSITIS IN BMT PATIENTS

    One heaped tsp in a glass of water. Swish and swallow.

    Thanks
    Sweetblood, You are a wealth of info and I just wanted to say thanks! I am 1 chemo and 8 rads of 34 in and have used the info you compiled or the links to be prepared for all of the side effects. This is so helpful and there is no way I would have known any of this if not for all of the great feedback I get from here. Any help is so appreciated! Thanks to Jimbo also for the paste recommendation. I will talk to my dentist about this! You guys are amazing!
    Ron
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #11
    Ron49 said:

    Thanks
    Sweetblood, You are a wealth of info and I just wanted to say thanks! I am 1 chemo and 8 rads of 34 in and have used the info you compiled or the links to be prepared for all of the side effects. This is so helpful and there is no way I would have known any of this if not for all of the great feedback I get from here. Any help is so appreciated! Thanks to Jimbo also for the paste recommendation. I will talk to my dentist about this! You guys are amazing!
    Ron

    You're welcome Ron.
    It is my goal to better prepare people that have to go through this. I wasn't as prepared. Wish I found this site before I started rads. Everyone here is a wealth of info. I just am trying to stick it all in one spot. :)
  • connieprice1
    connieprice1 Member Posts: 300 Member
    #12
    Clearblue said:

    WHAT??!!
    Many of you folk are taling about mouth sores after RADS.
    WHAT??!!
    "we"re 8 days of planned 35 into RT and she has mouth sores and her throat hurts, specially when eating. So ure saying its from now on and beyond?!?

    THe Onco nurse sugested OXCYCOT fro pain, But she declined (opiate) for now, so early on.
    So in retrospect how effective was all of the below?

    Looks like the main 4 ive read on this site are :
    Bicarbonate+/salt/+peroxide
    Magic mouth wash (different types depend on where u buy it)
    Biotene products(which i understand as being more for dry mouth issues? right?)
    glutamine - (How soon has this wirked for those whove tried it?)

    Also her voice has almost gone to whisper.
    and she has a bit of a wheezy , phlegmy cough.

    In admiration still
    Clear

    Watch the cough carefully!
    Clear, My wife's speech therapist told us that the cough you are referring to can be caused by water going down the wrong pipe. The danger is if water is contantly getting into the lungs it can cause pneumonia which would be a really bad development for your wife. She told us that there are products made with nectar that will reduce the risk. It is available over the counter at most drug stores. The nectar thickens water and reduces the risks of splatter and although it changes the texture, it does not change the taste. I just wanted to warn you that this can be dangerous as pneumonia would postpone your wife's radiation treatments. I am sorry to hear she is having such a rough time so early in treatment and I will say a prayer for her tonight. Good luck, Homer & Connie Price
  • Clearblue
    Clearblue Member Posts: 186
    #13
    connieprice1 said:

    Watch the cough carefully!
    Clear, My wife's speech therapist told us that the cough you are referring to can be caused by water going down the wrong pipe. The danger is if water is contantly getting into the lungs it can cause pneumonia which would be a really bad development for your wife. She told us that there are products made with nectar that will reduce the risk. It is available over the counter at most drug stores. The nectar thickens water and reduces the risks of splatter and although it changes the texture, it does not change the taste. I just wanted to warn you that this can be dangerous as pneumonia would postpone your wife's radiation treatments. I am sorry to hear she is having such a rough time so early in treatment and I will say a prayer for her tonight. Good luck, Homer & Connie Price

    thnx
    Can u get me a name of one of those nectar products.
    We know that, and some time back she unfortunantely landed up in intensive care. A she has had two partial larengectomies, unfortunately youre right , she is suseptible to this.

    How long does one stick to a certain "remedy"?
    Like if it burns like hell, throw it out. or let it burn like hell and stick in there for a few days or so before trying the next one.

    I fell that i really need to apologise to all my good friends here.
    I read the posts but just dont get round to responding. I know you all are as eager to get responses as i am.Each time i dash into the computer room, do a quick read, write and dash out. Just cant seem to get the sitting time to respond in kind to all of you.

    Clear
  • DominicM
    DominicM Member Posts: 18
    #14
    mouth sores/tongue "killing" you post radiation
    I'm now two weeks post radiation (35 treatments) and 4 weeks post chemo (3 rounds cisplatin)43 year old male.SCC, BOT, met to neck, HPV+
    A week post rads my tongue would sting/burn no matter what I tried to eat or drink. This only lasted a few days and now only stings in one area which I noticed a blister. I have been experimenting with all kings of food and drinks to see what i am able to tolerate....spicy things are the worst. Also I have new small blisters coming and going daily which also sting but not so bad. (FYI...no peg, lost about 8 lbs)
    I have not been taking any meds (but do have a lot on standby just in case), just toughing it out and eating as much as i possibly can. I have no pain swallowing but some days it does take a small effort to swallow and some days there are no problems at all.
    The first week post radiation I was secreting large volumes of thick ropey mucous from my mouth that lasted about a week and my mouth does get a bit "pasty" if I go too long without eating or drinking.
    There seem to be a lot of "scare tactics" about having sugar due to thrush but I am taking calories any way I can get them. I got thrush after the last two chemo treatments but it cleared up fast each time.
    Biggest issue for me is taste, or lack thereof. It's coming back a little bit everyday and I can taste most things now about 1-5%.
    Although i did see a prostadontist for an original consult there was no need to follow up, but of all the docs I've seen the prostadontist seemed by far the most beneficial person to speak with relating to mouth and tongue issues due to treatment.
    My medical and radiation oncologists and nurses see me every single week and just tell me that things take time and that everyone is different...I'm getting tired of that line, there is a wealth of knowledge on this site and others that have helped me volumes more than my docs.
    So my philosophy has been to just keep experimenting with foods and drinks to find things that dont hurt/sting/burn and to just keep toughing it out one day at a time. The only thing I've been taking for the past 3 weeks now is a daily multivitamin and I have been using biotene mouthwash.
    Although I have been eating basically everything these days, at first I found that oatmeal, frozen yogurt (ice cream would sting my tongue)and carnation instant breakfast did not hurt/burn/sting to eat. One site even suggested cold flat mug rootbeer which did work fine for me. Anything else that had a mild burning or stinging effect on my mouth I just chased with water.
    I think that I got through the treatment better than most...no peg, no pain swallowing, lost less than 10 lbs, no loss of hair, no fatigue. My neck skin did peel away once but very similar to having a sun burn so nothing I wasn't used to and most of my facial hair stopped growing except for the areas that were protected (salivary glands and voice box). The worst for me has been the taste changes that have led to loss of appetite and also the last month of treatment I always felt like there was something caught in my throat so i woke up a lot at night coughing/gagging.
    I have been able to stay extremely positive with all the help from this site and the statistics that say that this illness can be beat, I think that has been the best medicine for me....staying positive.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #15
    DominicM said:

    mouth sores/tongue "killing" you post radiation
    I'm now two weeks post radiation (35 treatments) and 4 weeks post chemo (3 rounds cisplatin)43 year old male.SCC, BOT, met to neck, HPV+
    A week post rads my tongue would sting/burn no matter what I tried to eat or drink. This only lasted a few days and now only stings in one area which I noticed a blister. I have been experimenting with all kings of food and drinks to see what i am able to tolerate....spicy things are the worst. Also I have new small blisters coming and going daily which also sting but not so bad. (FYI...no peg, lost about 8 lbs)
    I have not been taking any meds (but do have a lot on standby just in case), just toughing it out and eating as much as i possibly can. I have no pain swallowing but some days it does take a small effort to swallow and some days there are no problems at all.
    The first week post radiation I was secreting large volumes of thick ropey mucous from my mouth that lasted about a week and my mouth does get a bit "pasty" if I go too long without eating or drinking.
    There seem to be a lot of "scare tactics" about having sugar due to thrush but I am taking calories any way I can get them. I got thrush after the last two chemo treatments but it cleared up fast each time.
    Biggest issue for me is taste, or lack thereof. It's coming back a little bit everyday and I can taste most things now about 1-5%.
    Although i did see a prostadontist for an original consult there was no need to follow up, but of all the docs I've seen the prostadontist seemed by far the most beneficial person to speak with relating to mouth and tongue issues due to treatment.
    My medical and radiation oncologists and nurses see me every single week and just tell me that things take time and that everyone is different...I'm getting tired of that line, there is a wealth of knowledge on this site and others that have helped me volumes more than my docs.
    So my philosophy has been to just keep experimenting with foods and drinks to find things that dont hurt/sting/burn and to just keep toughing it out one day at a time. The only thing I've been taking for the past 3 weeks now is a daily multivitamin and I have been using biotene mouthwash.
    Although I have been eating basically everything these days, at first I found that oatmeal, frozen yogurt (ice cream would sting my tongue)and carnation instant breakfast did not hurt/burn/sting to eat. One site even suggested cold flat mug rootbeer which did work fine for me. Anything else that had a mild burning or stinging effect on my mouth I just chased with water.
    I think that I got through the treatment better than most...no peg, no pain swallowing, lost less than 10 lbs, no loss of hair, no fatigue. My neck skin did peel away once but very similar to having a sun burn so nothing I wasn't used to and most of my facial hair stopped growing except for the areas that were protected (salivary glands and voice box). The worst for me has been the taste changes that have led to loss of appetite and also the last month of treatment I always felt like there was something caught in my throat so i woke up a lot at night coughing/gagging.
    I have been able to stay extremely positive with all the help from this site and the statistics that say that this illness can be beat, I think that has been the best medicine for me....staying positive.

    Go Dom
    Dominic

    Welcome to the site, if you haven't been formally welcomed yet. Thanks for your informative post. It sounds like your positive attitude has really helped you through this process. You're whining a lot less than I did when I was at that stage of the game.

    I'm SCC, BOT, mets to both sides of neck, HPV+ and nine months out from treatment. Taste is back for me. I think you will be pleasantly surprised about how quickly it returns. The doctors really couldn't shield my salivary glands, so the return of saliva is a lot more slow for me, but I'm still improving. Here's to great health and a cancer-free future!

    Deb

    Deb
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #16
    D Lewis said:

    Go Dom
    Dominic

    Welcome to the site, if you haven't been formally welcomed yet. Thanks for your informative post. It sounds like your positive attitude has really helped you through this process. You're whining a lot less than I did when I was at that stage of the game.

    I'm SCC, BOT, mets to both sides of neck, HPV+ and nine months out from treatment. Taste is back for me. I think you will be pleasantly surprised about how quickly it returns. The doctors really couldn't shield my salivary glands, so the return of saliva is a lot more slow for me, but I'm still improving. Here's to great health and a cancer-free future!

    Deb

    Deb

    Dom
    I think you are doing exceptionally well!

    The flat Mug root beer does work. That was all I could drink for quite a while
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #17
    DominicM said:

    mouth sores/tongue "killing" you post radiation
    I'm now two weeks post radiation (35 treatments) and 4 weeks post chemo (3 rounds cisplatin)43 year old male.SCC, BOT, met to neck, HPV+
    A week post rads my tongue would sting/burn no matter what I tried to eat or drink. This only lasted a few days and now only stings in one area which I noticed a blister. I have been experimenting with all kings of food and drinks to see what i am able to tolerate....spicy things are the worst. Also I have new small blisters coming and going daily which also sting but not so bad. (FYI...no peg, lost about 8 lbs)
    I have not been taking any meds (but do have a lot on standby just in case), just toughing it out and eating as much as i possibly can. I have no pain swallowing but some days it does take a small effort to swallow and some days there are no problems at all.
    The first week post radiation I was secreting large volumes of thick ropey mucous from my mouth that lasted about a week and my mouth does get a bit "pasty" if I go too long without eating or drinking.
    There seem to be a lot of "scare tactics" about having sugar due to thrush but I am taking calories any way I can get them. I got thrush after the last two chemo treatments but it cleared up fast each time.
    Biggest issue for me is taste, or lack thereof. It's coming back a little bit everyday and I can taste most things now about 1-5%.
    Although i did see a prostadontist for an original consult there was no need to follow up, but of all the docs I've seen the prostadontist seemed by far the most beneficial person to speak with relating to mouth and tongue issues due to treatment.
    My medical and radiation oncologists and nurses see me every single week and just tell me that things take time and that everyone is different...I'm getting tired of that line, there is a wealth of knowledge on this site and others that have helped me volumes more than my docs.
    So my philosophy has been to just keep experimenting with foods and drinks to find things that dont hurt/sting/burn and to just keep toughing it out one day at a time. The only thing I've been taking for the past 3 weeks now is a daily multivitamin and I have been using biotene mouthwash.
    Although I have been eating basically everything these days, at first I found that oatmeal, frozen yogurt (ice cream would sting my tongue)and carnation instant breakfast did not hurt/burn/sting to eat. One site even suggested cold flat mug rootbeer which did work fine for me. Anything else that had a mild burning or stinging effect on my mouth I just chased with water.
    I think that I got through the treatment better than most...no peg, no pain swallowing, lost less than 10 lbs, no loss of hair, no fatigue. My neck skin did peel away once but very similar to having a sun burn so nothing I wasn't used to and most of my facial hair stopped growing except for the areas that were protected (salivary glands and voice box). The worst for me has been the taste changes that have led to loss of appetite and also the last month of treatment I always felt like there was something caught in my throat so i woke up a lot at night coughing/gagging.
    I have been able to stay extremely positive with all the help from this site and the statistics that say that this illness can be beat, I think that has been the best medicine for me....staying positive.

    Way to Go Dom
    Dominic, Sounds like you're doing great. My first pizza several weeks post treatment smelled so good but tasted like cardboard. One bite was all I could manage. 6 months later and the pizza tastes great. I believe your taste will improve sooner rather than later. I began to notice improvement after about 1 week and it has been a steady progression since. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • connieprice1
    connieprice1 Member Posts: 300 Member
    #18
    Clearblue said:

    thnx
    Can u get me a name of one of those nectar products.
    We know that, and some time back she unfortunantely landed up in intensive care. A she has had two partial larengectomies, unfortunately youre right , she is suseptible to this.

    How long does one stick to a certain "remedy"?
    Like if it burns like hell, throw it out. or let it burn like hell and stick in there for a few days or so before trying the next one.

    I fell that i really need to apologise to all my good friends here.
    I read the posts but just dont get round to responding. I know you all are as eager to get responses as i am.Each time i dash into the computer room, do a quick read, write and dash out. Just cant seem to get the sitting time to respond in kind to all of you.

    Clear

    Nectar reply
    Clear, I do not know the name but I will call the speech therapists and ask her. My wife declined when the speech therapists suggested the Nectar. Of course things are changing daily and my wife needs the Nectar products whether she likes it or not. Hopefully the Nectar products will enable Connie to drink more liquids. I will check on this tomorrow and get back to you. Homer
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #19
    Clearblue said:

    WHAT??!!
    Many of you folk are taling about mouth sores after RADS.
    WHAT??!!
    "we"re 8 days of planned 35 into RT and she has mouth sores and her throat hurts, specially when eating. So ure saying its from now on and beyond?!?

    THe Onco nurse sugested OXCYCOT fro pain, But she declined (opiate) for now, so early on.
    So in retrospect how effective was all of the below?

    Looks like the main 4 ive read on this site are :
    Bicarbonate+/salt/+peroxide
    Magic mouth wash (different types depend on where u buy it)
    Biotene products(which i understand as being more for dry mouth issues? right?)
    glutamine - (How soon has this wirked for those whove tried it?)

    Also her voice has almost gone to whisper.
    and she has a bit of a wheezy , phlegmy cough.

    In admiration still
    Clear

    Hi Clear

    Tell the wife not to be afraid to take the pain meds when she needs them. From what she is going through sometimes she needs a little help, the Dr can help her get off of them after treatment is completed. Keeping you both in prayer my friend.

    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #20
    Hondo said:

    Hi Clear

    Tell the wife not to be afraid to take the pain meds when she needs them. From what she is going through sometimes she needs a little help, the Dr can help her get off of them after treatment is completed. Keeping you both in prayer my friend.

    Hondo

    DRUGS....are a wonderful thing during treatment.
    Like HONDO said, take them if she needs them.

    More than likely she won't have any problem not taking them after she doesn't need them any longer. Usually when taken as directed and for pain it's not a problem. I took drugs ranging from Percocet, Hydrocodone, Oxicotin, and even Liquid Morphine (Roxynal).

    My chemo MD, told me, "what ever you have a problem with, let me know, I have something for it" and she did....

    Even worse case, you need to survive the treatment frst, deal with an addicition after the fact.

    Dawn (LINK QUEEN), there's a new one for you ITALICS, and BOLD...LOL.

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #21
    Skiffin16 said:

    DRUGS....are a wonderful thing during treatment.
    Like HONDO said, take them if she needs them.

    More than likely she won't have any problem not taking them after she doesn't need them any longer. Usually when taken as directed and for pain it's not a problem. I took drugs ranging from Percocet, Hydrocodone, Oxicotin, and even Liquid Morphine (Roxynal).

    My chemo MD, told me, "what ever you have a problem with, let me know, I have something for it" and she did....

    Even worse case, you need to survive the treatment frst, deal with an addicition after the fact.

    Dawn (LINK QUEEN), there's a new one for you ITALICS, and BOLD...LOL.

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John

    John
    You realize I still have no clue how to make a link. I just use the template you made for me every time. :) Plus you did color. Lol.

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