11/35 rads left, is it a cold or how I'm suppose to feel?

RogerRN43
RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I've been very lucky and haven't developed mucositis or swallowing issues yet, however, I feel like I have a chronic cold. I did catch one just prior to leaving the hospital over a week ago. My nose gets dry, stuffed up sometimes and goes away, I often cough at night, my throat is little sore and although my mouth doesn't feel mucusy, my throat does. If I don't drink anything through the night, my throat dries and I don't cough, then I sleep no problem. I wake up in the morning, and my throat isn't really sore anymore.

I know it will get more dry and mucusy in my mouth. I'm going to start running the humidifier in my bedroom.
Is it a mucus cough that keeps people up?

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    Roger
    what you describe is about all I ever felt. It never went beyond this sensation for me. Even at the end of radiation. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones.

    Pat
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #3
    Roger,
    Sounds as though you
    Roger,
    Sounds as though you are coming through this better than most. I didn't have much of a problem with the mucus. Usually I would awaken during the night because my mouth was too dry. A couple of sips of water and I was back to sleep. I think a humidifier could only help. Stay strong Roger, the finish line is in sight. Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    #4
    Roger
    You may not get the mucus, I didn't nor did I take any meds for it. My throat soreness was always managable and I slept fine except for drinking too much water before going to bed. Even 3 weeks post rads my throat is still sore and I have little to zero saliva. Taste is slowing improving but without saliva I still don't feel like eating.

    John 2
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #5
    18 of 39 Rads Tomorrow
    I don't have any major symptoms yet, my mouth is drier; water and stoppers4 work well so far.I did get scripts for both magic mouthwash ( which I haven't used yet) and caphosol which I do use 4x's a day, plus the salt water/baking soda in between. No cough or mucos issues yet. The only swallowing problem is if I swallow something a bit bigger,it jags a bit but no sore throat. Sleep well thru the night, but I did buy a humidifier in the event that I get too dry. The main complaint is the loss of taste, certain fresh fruits & veggies still taste good, cooked noodles not to bad, then other things not so much. Whether I can taste of not , my food police as I called my sister and niece, I eat and eat to keep the calories up. I do understand now why people give up on eating though because of the lack of taste.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Having to Urinate....
    LOL, for me it was urination that kept me up more than anything...

    I had Amifostine Injections everyday and never got the thick ropey mucous or phlegm. But I did get really dry at night and at that time much of the time...always had my water bottle.

    So for me, I had to urinate every few hours....

    Then of course, our two chocloate labs thought they needed to go out for their business as well.

    So that was the routine for a very long time...

    I think you are feeling what is going to be "normal" for you right now.

    Best,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    osmotar said:

    18 of 39 Rads Tomorrow
    I don't have any major symptoms yet, my mouth is drier; water and stoppers4 work well so far.I did get scripts for both magic mouthwash ( which I haven't used yet) and caphosol which I do use 4x's a day, plus the salt water/baking soda in between. No cough or mucos issues yet. The only swallowing problem is if I swallow something a bit bigger,it jags a bit but no sore throat. Sleep well thru the night, but I did buy a humidifier in the event that I get too dry. The main complaint is the loss of taste, certain fresh fruits & veggies still taste good, cooked noodles not to bad, then other things not so much. Whether I can taste of not , my food police as I called my sister and niece, I eat and eat to keep the calories up. I do understand now why people give up on eating though because of the lack of taste.

    Lack of taste.
    I can push through the lack of taste, it's the pain and severe mouth sores that I could not push through. I'm glad that you guys are doing as well as you are.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Roger
    I use a cool mist humidifier and it works very well for me at night especially if the heater is on during the cold weather.

    Hondo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    osmotar said:

    18 of 39 Rads Tomorrow
    I don't have any major symptoms yet, my mouth is drier; water and stoppers4 work well so far.I did get scripts for both magic mouthwash ( which I haven't used yet) and caphosol which I do use 4x's a day, plus the salt water/baking soda in between. No cough or mucos issues yet. The only swallowing problem is if I swallow something a bit bigger,it jags a bit but no sore throat. Sleep well thru the night, but I did buy a humidifier in the event that I get too dry. The main complaint is the loss of taste, certain fresh fruits & veggies still taste good, cooked noodles not to bad, then other things not so much. Whether I can taste of not , my food police as I called my sister and niece, I eat and eat to keep the calories up. I do understand now why people give up on eating though because of the lack of taste.

    Hi Linda

    Sounds like you are doing pretty good for almost half way there. Glad to see you have the food police watching over you. lol

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #10
    The bathroom
    Like Skiffen, the need to urinate kept me up at night. Thank God for Lunesta.

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