Please help with Excess Mucus or Phlegm

The Never Ending Slurry
Hi Mitch, I'm about a year and a half out of treatment--35 rads, chemo, partial neck--but always remember the mucous. For me, the most effective treatment was the simplest, maybe a teaspoon of baking soda, to a half teaspoon of salt in a quart of warm water. You can rinse and gargle with this all you want, and it always seemed to work, for a short time, for me.

The other most-recommended product is Mucinex, which I never used. But it's been effective for many here.

If the formula could be created, I always thought it would have a use as a lubricant in heavy industry. The good news is, almost to a man or woman, it does get better and go away, but it's one of the most bothersome of short-term side effects.

best, Hal

Suction machine
Here's an earlier post from "Dave" robdad, who had his onc prescribe a suction machine. Some here have used them. I don't know under what conditions they would be prescribed.

"I got the suction machine through a medical supply Co. My Oncologist ordered it and they delivered to my house. It is about 1 foot square with tubes and a container that you rinse out when it is full. You put the wand in your mouth and slowly work it back towards your throat. It sucks everything up. It is GROSS. I am so glad I had it though. I used it for the last 2 weeks of treatment and at least a month after. Its basically a rental. My insurance picked up most of it but I had to pay some. Well worth it. See if your Dr. can get you one or try a supply company on your own. The 1st 6 weeks after treatment for me were brutal as far as mucous goes. It was the # 1 problem. Used to wake up 10 times a night spitting it out. Now 4 1/2 months out and sleeping 6 hrs at one stretch. You'll get there soon. All my best wishes.
Dave"

Good Luck, Hal

Excess Mucus
Mitch
I had that thick ropey stuff that you can't swallow near the end of my treatments and then for about 2 months afterwards.
I too used just natural rinses which helped but still the nasty stuff lasted. But gradually it went away. One day I woke up and it was done.
I still have some dry mouth and I use Biotene moisturizing mouth spray. They make toothpaste and other products too. Not too expensive and for me, does the trick.
Good luck and let us know when yours is gone!
Nancy

Skiffin16 said:

Baking Soad & Hydrogen Peroxide
I used the above for the pasty stuff,like glue...just rinse and spit. My solution was just a mixture of about a teaspoon full of baking soda and a few Tablespoons of H2O2, in a little water, rinse and spit.

But what helped me the most was the Amifostine injections I believe...never had the thick ropey phlegm nor the excessive mucus.

I did have a very dry mouth for many months, and the glue like paste. It was sticky and you couldn't even spit it out.

Now at 2 1/2 years, nearly all saliva and tasste is back... I do still dry out a little while sleeping though.

Best,
John

Me too

Baking Soda and Peroxide for me too, then at night a little Stoppers 4 and I sleep like and old frog.

Hondo

mrapp said:

Many Thanks
I appreciate all the suggestions. I will try the Hyoscyamine and Baking Soda and Peroxide mix. I am about 5 weeks post Rads and thinking this will ease up any day so I hope I can do without machine. But who knows I have an doc. appt in later next week and the insanity mucus can cause I may just ask for a machine. Last night was a horrible mucus night and really praying hard that tonight is better. Many thanks for all the suggestions, you guys and ladies are the best.

Mitch .. Florida

Raining
You getting a lot of rain up there tonight...been raining here off and on all day, just more this evening.

Hope you have a good night Mitch...

John