Only 7 TOMO/IGRT radiation treatments and sides of tongue red and burning today, help!

PJ,

By the time my mouth, tongue and throat were sore, I was using magic mouth wash.  For me, the Oregon vintage I used was a blessing.  I consumed 6 bottles throughout treatments and swallowed every drop (with NO ill effects).

I always had 1/2 gallon of soda and salt water at the ready and rinsed and spit and hacked and coughed and choked and dry heaved throughout the 24 hours, whenever I felt like it.  Lucky for me I had a utility room sink to myself.  I always felt the caregiver’s got the raw deal having to listen to what would normally be a 911 call.

I also never had Mugard, but managed.  For me, magic mouth wash was one of my top 3 go too items.  Many here could not give a hoot for it, but if you had what I had you would be satisfied.

Remember keep drinking water to stay hydrated and to keep your swallowing top notch.

Today may seem bleak, but it will get better, you just have to navigate some rough spots.

Matt

PJ47 said:

Thanks Matt, I have a bottle of Magic Mouthwash

NC vintage, and forgot all about that option.  I went through 5 bottles of it post surgery. I just do not want this to get out of hand.   I was hoping to have a couple of weeks trouble free. Hah.   I am drinking 60+ oz of water and also 2 8oz cups of green tea daily so I think that is enough liquid.  Everything tastes like salt water to me now and I do not think it is the soda/salt solution I swish and gargle with.  Reading some of the other posts make me realize how small my problems are.  

Thanks for the encouragement,

PJ

PJ, you're problems aren't small, my friend. We are all heading into this together or have already been there together and none of it is easy. We will all have our plates to eat. Like you, I have found encouragement here as well. Great board.

God Bless,

Jamie

that things are hitting you so soon!!!  I had terrible reactions on my second day of treatment, so I truly understand.  I didn't use any of the ones you listed but I have read that they have to be started BEFORE sores start (at least that's what I understood). I had to up my baking soda/salt/water rinsing to every hour and I had to eventually lessen the amount of salt and increase the amount of baking soda.  Biotene hurt me.  The water had to be room temperature that I rinsed with.  I used Magic Mouthwash ALL the time.  I went through 4 bottles of the stuff. I've heard that milk helps some people but I can't STAND the smell, sight or taste of milk. I hope you can find some relief.  Maybe scroll through the top thread (SUPERTHREAD) and see what other remedies are listed.  Hang in there...I'm sorry you have this going on already

The odds favor thush, as it is pretty early for mucositis to be much of a problem.  Unless someone thinks of it, the diagnosis sometimes doesn't get made, so I'd rraise the topic.  I had thrush at about the time you mention, hurt like hell.  First doc missed dx, second doc didn't.  And my thrush was resistant to Nystatin, so I had an unpleasant week waiting for help.

best

Pat

donfoo said:

salt-soda & magic mouthwash

Not sure if your tongue looks like this but I can surely feel your pain. This was my mouth near the end of rads. Only thing that worked was salt-soda rinse and magic mouthwash. I did have sores on my cheek that I was able to use some dental wax/paste to offer some relief but honestly, I found upping the narcos was the best way to get through this rough patch on the journey. Good luck. 

ps - images are a bit ouchie. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e795fas11odzf1d/2013-05-29 23.06.18.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ip0baytdtsrm80w/mouth-2.png

I had a couple of bouts with thrush and it's no picnic. Once identified, it can be treated fairly easy. I was unable to do the salt/baking soda rinse as it burned so much. I did get Caphrosal (?) and was able to use that w/o any issues. ONC warned me to check with insurance prior to filling script because it was about $1,000. I had UnitedHealthCare at the time, and they allowed it. I never had sores in my mouth but my lower lip was pretty much open after the 1st week of tx. Happily, it started healing right after tx stopped. More than a year & a half later, it is still extremely sensative. I really can't say if the Caphrosal helped or not. It did not make the sores on my lips go away. It may or may not have prevented any inside of my mouth. At $1,000 I'd stick with the MMW and get checked out for thrush. Good luck!