No saliva and more Problems

robert77dr
robert77dr Member Posts: 54
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I finished my radiation treatment 8 mounts ago and I am still not producing any saliva I have been on Salagen for about 3 mounts it hasn’t helped yet is there anything else I can try? I am unable to eat bread or meat still soup and soft food. Where they removed the feeding tube I now have a hernia but I need to have more strength to undergo surgery.
My Doctor said I might need to have my throat dilated has anyone had this done? I need all the information I can get.
Robert

Comments

  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #2
    I've pretty much written off
    I've pretty much written off bread. Which sucks because I loved bagels. Like REALLY loved bagels. I have just learned to cope with flat bread and wraps instead of sandwiches. Things like lavash, naan, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, pita bread, and there are tons of flavored wraps these days. I miss bagels and semolina bread, but i just cannot swallow it.

    As for meat, the only thing I can choke down is, lamb chops, the rack of lamb cut, slow cooked Johnsonville Brats, chicken thighs (must not over cook) and sometimes, beef short ribs and slow cooked pork shoulder. If I cook meat, I better have 2.5 hours to sit down and devote to eating it. I also get my 20 oz glass, cause I will need it. I never cook more than one portion of meat, because it gets too dried out for mr to swallow by the next day.

    Can't help with the hernia.

    I have had three dilations. My damage is up high, and it's not easy to stretch out, so they did it a little at a time. They put you out for it. It usually is an easy proceedure and does work. The upper strictures, can be a little tougher to fix. My first one was before cancer, and lower. Once they stretched me, I was great. After cancer, I had one and they stretched me from 2mm to 9mm and I still couldn't get anything down. So I went in for the third. At least now, I can swallow and eat, but it's a struggle.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    sweetblood22 said:

    I've pretty much written off
    I've pretty much written off bread. Which sucks because I loved bagels. Like REALLY loved bagels. I have just learned to cope with flat bread and wraps instead of sandwiches. Things like lavash, naan, flour tortillas, corn tortillas, pita bread, and there are tons of flavored wraps these days. I miss bagels and semolina bread, but i just cannot swallow it.

    As for meat, the only thing I can choke down is, lamb chops, the rack of lamb cut, slow cooked Johnsonville Brats, chicken thighs (must not over cook) and sometimes, beef short ribs and slow cooked pork shoulder. If I cook meat, I better have 2.5 hours to sit down and devote to eating it. I also get my 20 oz glass, cause I will need it. I never cook more than one portion of meat, because it gets too dried out for mr to swallow by the next day.

    Can't help with the hernia.

    I have had three dilations. My damage is up high, and it's not easy to stretch out, so they did it a little at a time. They put you out for it. It usually is an easy proceedure and does work. The upper strictures, can be a little tougher to fix. My first one was before cancer, and lower. Once they stretched me, I was great. After cancer, I had one and they stretched me from 2mm to 9mm and I still couldn't get anything down. So I went in for the third. At least now, I can swallow and eat, but it's a struggle.

    Hi Robert
    I am like sweet no bread to eat here, I tried all the doctor prescribed stuff and found nothing helped me much. I chew gum and drink a lot of water, then at night I use Stoppers 4 dry mouth spray to help with sleeping.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • Ed_PortOrange
    Ed_PortOrange Member Posts: 110
    #4
    Dilations Here!
    Robert,

    Like Sweet I also have a stricture caused by radiation scarring. In June 2010 I was dilated twice and they opened my esophagus to about 3/4's of normal. I still have trouble with many foods and some pills getting caught. I also have difficulty breaking down many foods due to reduced saliva, it has improved steadily over the past 20 months.

    Keep up the fight, and don't fear a dilation. Sore throat for a few days afterward but otherwise a piece of cake. Make that a moist piece of cake!

    Well Wishes,
    Ed
  • RushFan
    RushFan Member Posts: 224
    #5
    Ed_PortOrange said:

    Dilations Here!
    Robert,

    Like Sweet I also have a stricture caused by radiation scarring. In June 2010 I was dilated twice and they opened my esophagus to about 3/4's of normal. I still have trouble with many foods and some pills getting caught. I also have difficulty breaking down many foods due to reduced saliva, it has improved steadily over the past 20 months.

    Keep up the fight, and don't fear a dilation. Sore throat for a few days afterward but otherwise a piece of cake. Make that a moist piece of cake!

    Well Wishes,
    Ed

    You might try Evoxac
    Hi Robert, I'm 16 months post rads and chemo. I did not have a feeding tube. I'm eating (carefully) most anything I want. Meats are tough, no pun intended and breads are too. I still need a bit of water or milk to "help things along".

    I asked my doctor about Salagen, but she preferred and recommeded Evoxac. Works for me. I take a couple a day and definately notice a difference. No side affects...Salagen supposedly causes a lot of sweating...none here.

    Best to you and all here,
    Chuck.
  • timreichhart
    timreichhart Member Posts: 194
    #6
    RushFan said:

    You might try Evoxac
    Hi Robert, I'm 16 months post rads and chemo. I did not have a feeding tube. I'm eating (carefully) most anything I want. Meats are tough, no pun intended and breads are too. I still need a bit of water or milk to "help things along".

    I asked my doctor about Salagen, but she preferred and recommeded Evoxac. Works for me. I take a couple a day and definately notice a difference. No side affects...Salagen supposedly causes a lot of sweating...none here.

    Best to you and all here,
    Chuck.

    About bread and no saliva
    I can eat bread just fine with out any saliva I just drink water while I eat any bread stuff then I am able to swallow it. I mean I sip water with each bite I take.
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #7
    timreichhart said:

    About bread and no saliva
    I can eat bread just fine with out any saliva I just drink water while I eat any bread stuff then I am able to swallow it. I mean I sip water with each bite I take.

    Flat Bread
    I have been using flat bread instead of bread, found it much easier to chew and does not stick to mouth. Wrap peanut butter and banana, scrambled egg's with cheese, PPJ, rice with onion and green pepper with cheese, give it a try.
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #8
    Ed_PortOrange said:

    Dilations Here!
    Robert,

    Like Sweet I also have a stricture caused by radiation scarring. In June 2010 I was dilated twice and they opened my esophagus to about 3/4's of normal. I still have trouble with many foods and some pills getting caught. I also have difficulty breaking down many foods due to reduced saliva, it has improved steadily over the past 20 months.

    Keep up the fight, and don't fear a dilation. Sore throat for a few days afterward but otherwise a piece of cake. Make that a moist piece of cake!

    Well Wishes,
    Ed

    Solution for pills getting caught.
    For the last couple of months, I've been using (with good success) a swallowing spray called Pill Glide. It's a sugar-free, strawberry flavored pump spray that is sprayed in the mouth prior to swallowing those big ole 1/2 inch pills. You coat your tongue and throat with 4-5 sprays and swallow the tablet or capsule immediately with water. I really don't care for the strawberry taste, but at least it doesn't burn whatsoever. I've been getting it off the shelf at Walgreens. Might want to give it a try.......anything to make our lives more simple.

    Larry

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