thick mucous

jim and i
jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

OK, it has been over 2 years since Jim's treatment ended and he still has thick sticky mucous which is worse at night. This causes him to choke when he takes pills or tries to eat anything. The thing that cuts it best is Gatoraid but he has to use it all day and half the night. Is this something others are going through long term? Seems as if everyone gets rid of the mucous withing the first year of treatment. This constant gunk is really discouraging to Jim.

Debbie

Comments

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #2
    Thick Mucous

    My husband has been dealing with the same thing since he started his first round of radiation in 2010.  It did get somewhat better after his laryngectomy in 2011, but then when he had to undergo a second round of radiation in 2012 it became horrible once again.  He still has it and the mornings for him are horrible.   At times he has a hard time clearing his throat of the mucus, but we know he can't choke so it really doesn't bother him too much.  And yes he has a suction machine but doesn't use it for his throat.  He uses it to clear the mucus from his stoma when it gets too hard for his to cough it out.  We have tried everything but to no avail and the doctors haven't been much of a help either.  Of course, all pills are crushed and put in his feeding tube and that has become a problem because of his pain.  They want him on a 12 hour pain medication but since he can't swallow it, he can't use time release pain medication.

    Sharon

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #3
    Hello Debbie !

    Mine is the worse in the morning.  It's hard to catch a break with the cold weather.  I use a humidifier (or just boil water on the stove).  Also at night time, I use the gingerale.  Kinda breaks up the gunk for me a bit.  It's scarey when you can't get it up, and it gets stuck in the airway.  I try to calm myself and work through it.  I would ask for suggestions with your nurse, they may have a few.

    Also Sharon,  can your fellow use the liquid pain reliever through the feeding tube ?  Just a thought.  I don't know enough about them to give you a straight answer.  When I used it, orally it gave me a solid 12 hr. relief from the pain.  My best to both of you !   Katie 

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