Waited Til The Weekend

NoDuck
NoDuck Member Posts: 134
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
To get the sore throat. Ice chips, ice cream, Magic Mineral Broth. Other than that, any suggestions to get us to Monday and an appointment with the rad onc? And hopefully the Magic Mouthwash.

Hubby's had a tough time with the treatment which surprised us because he has (read that had) such a high pain threshold. But he got every side effect of the cisplatin loading dose known to medicine and a couple of extra just to puzzle the doctors. The effects on his digestive tract have been the worst. He lost 7 pounds in 8 days. Feeding tube doesn't help if you have nausea and stomach cramps. Food is not staying in whether it went thru the mouth or the tube. Then he got thrombophlebitis in the arm where they gave the chemo. Ultrasound showed it is superficial.

His eating is better today but the digestive issues started back a few hours ago so he is back to Imodium every 2 hours. Now it is the sore throat.

Any suggestions to get us through the weekend?

Thanks.
Deb

Comments

  • nick770
    nick770 Member Posts: 195
    #2
    Sounds like
    Im not doctor but he maybe dehydrated, can you get him some extra fluids, or back to the doctors for hydration therapy via IV's?
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #3
    nick770 said:

    Sounds like
    Im not doctor but he maybe dehydrated, can you get him some extra fluids, or back to the doctors for hydration therapy via IV's?

    sounds like dehydration to
    sounds like dehydration to me also. Have you been putting extra water into the feeding tube ? If not you may try that. we would put a lot of water in through the PEG tube, since it was so much faster than what I could drink orally.

    If it keeps up, call the doc or go to the ER. You don't want to wait until it gets too bad.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
    Three votes for dehydration....
    it makes a person feel weak, puny, and nauseated. If he can't keep it down via the tube, then do take him in and get him hydrated via IV...They set me up this weekend to go into the hospital infusion center "just in case" because I was still feeling so weak and puny after chemo on Tues.

    He won't feel thirsty really, just yucky...

    p
  • NoDuck
    NoDuck Member Posts: 134
    #5
    phrannie51 said:

    Three votes for dehydration....
    it makes a person feel weak, puny, and nauseated. If he can't keep it down via the tube, then do take him in and get him hydrated via IV...They set me up this weekend to go into the hospital infusion center "just in case" because I was still feeling so weak and puny after chemo on Tues.

    He won't feel thirsty really, just yucky...

    p

    Thanks
    When I told him his new friends all voted its dehydration he started drinking bottled water. I know he's not getting enough fluids but there is a fine line between nagging and caregiving and I was crossing it. I slacked off on the drill sgt today when he started eating better. Looks like the drill sgt is coming back.

    I can tell he is a little depressed that he can't tolerate the MuGuard. He had high hopes it would save him from mouth sores. He started it the first day of treatment and as soon as the nausea set in, he could not use it. Now just the thought of it makes him gag. I told him he could start it later but he is afraid he is not going to be able to use it at all.

    I have such great respect for each of you -- the survivors, the caregivers, those still in treatment. This is tough, tough duty. Knowing you are just a post away is so helpful.

    We have a new mantra. I saw it on a sign in the dugout at the womens softball world series:

    FIGHT. FAITH. FINISH.

    Deb
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #6
    NoDuck said:

    Thanks
    When I told him his new friends all voted its dehydration he started drinking bottled water. I know he's not getting enough fluids but there is a fine line between nagging and caregiving and I was crossing it. I slacked off on the drill sgt today when he started eating better. Looks like the drill sgt is coming back.

    I can tell he is a little depressed that he can't tolerate the MuGuard. He had high hopes it would save him from mouth sores. He started it the first day of treatment and as soon as the nausea set in, he could not use it. Now just the thought of it makes him gag. I told him he could start it later but he is afraid he is not going to be able to use it at all.

    I have such great respect for each of you -- the survivors, the caregivers, those still in treatment. This is tough, tough duty. Knowing you are just a post away is so helpful.

    We have a new mantra. I saw it on a sign in the dugout at the womens softball world series:

    FIGHT. FAITH. FINISH.

    Deb

    MuGaurd
    Hey DEB !
    That MuGuard was worthless for me, and the salt rinses made my mouth dryer. I had tons of issues 11 treatments into rad., magic mouth is fabulous, and can get info to make your own. My nurses were wonderful...new I couldn't afford name brand and gave me info on this. It worked fab. for me. Before hand I was hospitalized twice for dehydration. Yuck.
    Good luck, and warmest wishes sent to you both ! Katie
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #7
    katenorwood said:

    MuGaurd
    Hey DEB !
    That MuGuard was worthless for me, and the salt rinses made my mouth dryer. I had tons of issues 11 treatments into rad., magic mouth is fabulous, and can get info to make your own. My nurses were wonderful...new I couldn't afford name brand and gave me info on this. It worked fab. for me. Before hand I was hospitalized twice for dehydration. Yuck.
    Good luck, and warmest wishes sent to you both ! Katie

    Hi Deb ....
    Sounds like you got all the good advice you can ...you did not say he was "throwing-up" but if he is or having reflux that too could be why the soar throat (not to mention the very treatments themselves - duh) :)

    I assume from your post he does not have a feeding tube. I lost 70lbs in treatment and that was with a feeding tube.....

    I remember I would just gag thinking about brushing my teeth!!! So he is not alone and just tell him we are with him and we care.

    Whispered a prayer for you and your husband as I typed this. Don't worry about being a drill Sgt. When it's all over he will be glad you were there. My wife was wonderful and I don't know what I would have done without her!

    Tim
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #8
    GI Tracht
    Very early on, I developed GI issues during chemo. Along with the nausea/diarrhea/constipation almost all of us get, I developed severe pains that started high in my chest (yes, you know I thought it was a heart attack), and moved down. I also felt full all the time; even when I was forcing myself to eat, I could only eat a very small amount, and felt like if I ate another bite, I'd hurt myself. Doc added GERD meds to my collection of side-effect fighters. I did get some relief - don't remember how long it took. I was able to go off the GERD meds later in treatment.

    After my tonsillectomy/open biopsies, it also seemed to help me feel better to wear an ice pack around my neck (docs sent me home with it after surgery).

    Hope he can get some relief before Monday.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    katenorwood said:

    MuGaurd
    Hey DEB !
    That MuGuard was worthless for me, and the salt rinses made my mouth dryer. I had tons of issues 11 treatments into rad., magic mouth is fabulous, and can get info to make your own. My nurses were wonderful...new I couldn't afford name brand and gave me info on this. It worked fab. for me. Before hand I was hospitalized twice for dehydration. Yuck.
    Good luck, and warmest wishes sent to you both ! Katie

    Prescribed...
    Not sure which Magic Mouthwash ingredients are available to make your own, most are prescribed I believe..

    JG
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #10
    Skiffin16 said:

    Prescribed...
    Not sure which Magic Mouthwash ingredients are available to make your own, most are prescribed I believe..

    JG

    Magic mouthwash
    Hello !
    Yes most are a script, I was in hospital, and not working....health care providers new this...and helped me with what to mix. Most of your oncologist nurses know this, but unless you ask they don't tell you. So ask...very simple mixture of benedryl and liquid lidocaine. I'm not making this up....really did work for me. Check into it with your nursing staff ! Katie
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #11
    Pam M said:

    GI Tracht
    Very early on, I developed GI issues during chemo. Along with the nausea/diarrhea/constipation almost all of us get, I developed severe pains that started high in my chest (yes, you know I thought it was a heart attack), and moved down. I also felt full all the time; even when I was forcing myself to eat, I could only eat a very small amount, and felt like if I ate another bite, I'd hurt myself. Doc added GERD meds to my collection of side-effect fighters. I did get some relief - don't remember how long it took. I was able to go off the GERD meds later in treatment.

    After my tonsillectomy/open biopsies, it also seemed to help me feel better to wear an ice pack around my neck (docs sent me home with it after surgery).

    Hope he can get some relief before Monday.

    Hi No Duck ...
    Just checking in to see how the doc appt went??? Keep us posted. :)

    Best,

    Tim
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    katenorwood said:

    Magic mouthwash
    Hello !
    Yes most are a script, I was in hospital, and not working....health care providers new this...and helped me with what to mix. Most of your oncologist nurses know this, but unless you ask they don't tell you. So ask...very simple mixture of benedryl and liquid lidocaine. I'm not making this up....really did work for me. Check into it with your nursing staff ! Katie

    Liquid Lidocaine
    I wasn't aware that the liquid lidocaine was available OTC in strengths strong enough to be effective.

    I'm not in need any longer, I'm post Tx 3 years, just asking.

    JG
  • NoDuck
    NoDuck Member Posts: 134
    #13
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi No Duck ...
    Just checking in to see how the doc appt went??? Keep us posted. :)

    Best,

    Tim

    No Relief Yet
    Doctor appointment Monday went fine. Gave him a script for Magic Mouthwash. Doc believes he has a yeast infection and said MM should help with that plus "the pain to come" I.e. rad side effects. Well. The MM does to him the same thing as the MuGuard -- the minute it hits his mouth, he starts gagging. It's not nausea, it's gagging. Then he starts the dry heaves, then he vomits. Then his throat hurts more.

    He has never been very Iill before The Big C so we don't have much experience with all this. He went back to the doctor today and was given a pill for the yeast infection. Now we just need to figure out how to stop the gagging.

    I'm calling a clinical hypnotherapist this afternoon. Seriously. I can't imagine what he will do if NONE of the mouthwashes, sprays, gels, etc. will work for him because of this gagging problem..

    Ay suggestions or hints appreciated. I'll report back after I talk with the hypnotherapist.

    Thoughts and prayers to each of you. Thanks for helping us on this journey.

    Deb

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