Heavy Mucous...

JC F
JC F Member Posts: 74
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have seen threads on dry-mouth but what do you suggest for heavy mucous buildup. I am now constantly having to spit out huge thick gobs of rope-like mucous that I can barely get out of my mouth. I spit so hard the other day into the sink that the left side of my face started to cramp up. It seems here in Canada that they do not have MuGard or any other products to deal with this very unpleasant side-effect, which quite surprised me. The doctor said to increase the Magic Mouthwash, gargle with water mixed with baking soda and salt, and to just try and drink more water. I do all of these things but it doesn't help for the thick buildup in my mouth. Just wondering if any of you have had to deal with this and what things might have helped that I haven't tried...I have 9 rads and one chemo left to do...thank you again for any input...

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I don't know if MuGard would

    be of help for mucous, anyway......it's for mouth sore prevention, so you probably aren't missing out for this problem.  I got Amifostine during radiation....it's supposed to preserve the saliva glands, but what it really did was prevent the horrible mucous problems.  What I have heard on here that might help are:  Ginger Ale, Musinex, the regular salt/soda rinse (but ramped up with high levels of salt and soda), the salt/soda rinse with hydrogen peroxide added...........and stock in the Klenex company.  Hack and spit with a bucket near by. 

    The good news is the mucous is temporary.....Matt might have some tips.....he had mucous pretty bad.

    p

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
    Heavy Mucous...

    Your body produces about up to 2 litres in 24 hrs. Things to do to thin out your mucus is drink lots more water. You can take Musenix or the genaric Guaifenesin 400mg which is the same just lots less money. I ues it for flair ups with bronchitis, you can take it for weeks. Now what to stop or avoid is milk, ice cream, soda of any kind, caffeine, they will tell your body to increase your mucus to deal with them. I am a neck breather so when I cough [about 50 times a day] It goes out my stoma and not my mouth. It is recomended to drink one ounce of water per half your weight. 100lbs you need 50 ounces for normal. To thin mucus you will need more. I'm sorry you are having this problem. Mine gets so thick it is like rubber cement and very sticky. I hope this helps some.

    Oh, I don't follow my advice, I drink Pepsi and eat Ice cream, but I do pay with thick mucus when I do.

    Best of luck

    Bill

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #4
    Jim's treatment for thick mucous

    Jim gargled every night with a baking soda rinse and took Mucinex every day.  Seemed to take care of the problem.

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #5
    wmc said:

    Heavy Mucous...

    Your body produces about up to 2 litres in 24 hrs. Things to do to thin out your mucus is drink lots more water. You can take Musenix or the genaric Guaifenesin 400mg which is the same just lots less money. I ues it for flair ups with bronchitis, you can take it for weeks. Now what to stop or avoid is milk, ice cream, soda of any kind, caffeine, they will tell your body to increase your mucus to deal with them. I am a neck breather so when I cough [about 50 times a day] It goes out my stoma and not my mouth. It is recomended to drink one ounce of water per half your weight. 100lbs you need 50 ounces for normal. To thin mucus you will need more. I'm sorry you are having this problem. Mine gets so thick it is like rubber cement and very sticky. I hope this helps some.

    Oh, I don't follow my advice, I drink Pepsi and eat Ice cream, but I do pay with thick mucus when I do.

    Best of luck

    Bill

    Seems I have the oppisiate

    Seems I have the oppisiate problem.I get way to much either slivia or mucus.And now wondering if the coffee or the cafine is the problem.I have stayed away from coke or pepsi but do sip coffee alot.And seems when I talk my mouth just fills up with slivia.Doctor told me it will settle down as i swallow more but that was over a month ago and still happens.Trying to find out what triggers it as when I start to talk makes it that much harder as if it isn't now:)

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    thennies61 said:

    Seems I have the oppisiate

    Seems I have the oppisiate problem.I get way to much either slivia or mucus.And now wondering if the coffee or the cafine is the problem.I have stayed away from coke or pepsi but do sip coffee alot.And seems when I talk my mouth just fills up with slivia.Doctor told me it will settle down as i swallow more but that was over a month ago and still happens.Trying to find out what triggers it as when I start to talk makes it that much harder as if it isn't now:)

    i'm a lary so i may be a

    i'm a lary so i may be a little different but i also suffer with mucos.  also, if i drink soda or coffee, it definitely makes it worse.  it will actually fill my lary tube.  so, even tho you may not want to, try not to drink coffee and see if that helps some.  wishing you the best.

    dj

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