Dry Mouth / Throat

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

Three months out now from tx of 3 chemos and 35 rads and the dry mouth and throat seem to be getting worse. Have to drink water constantly and of course now have to go to the bathroom constantly. I wake up and it's not too bad but gets progressively worse as the day goes on. By late afternoon and early evening it's extremely annoying. Did it get worse for some of you before getting better, if at all? Have tried many things such as Biotene, xylimelts, xylitol and the like, nothing really working. I could use any suggestions, the lack of taste combined with the dryness is getting rather depressing.

Comments

  • granmudder
    granmudder Member Posts: 41 Member
    #2
    Hi JC

    Hubby is in exactly same boat I believe you both finished treatments same day if I recall August 20th... He too has same issues..... anxious to hear what the other survivors have to say... I think it just takes time... lots of time. ..

     

  • JC F
    JC F Member Posts: 74
    #3
    granmudder said:

    Hi JC

    Hubby is in exactly same boat I believe you both finished treatments same day if I recall August 20th... He too has same issues..... anxious to hear what the other survivors have to say... I think it just takes time... lots of time. ..

     

    Yes...

    ...you're correct, granmudder, I finished Aug.20th also. I see in another thread that your husband is going for a PET scan this week. I too am scheduled for one also. I had a CT scan a few weeks ago and it came back as still showing lymph node involvement even though they can't be seen or felt anymore. I was very disheartened to hear this. The PET will either confirm there still is cancer or perhaps fluid or still inflammation from the rads...hoping for the best...

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    and things are tasting better everyday

    JCF,

    Dry mouth has gotten much better with time for me, but unlike you I have great luck with the Xylimelts.  Drinking lots of water is par for the H&N course, especially when eating.  I don’t leave home without my water bottle, but I also don’t feel the need to pick it up as often.

    Be happy finding your “new normal”.

    Matt

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #5
    as i recall it took me much

    as i recall it took me much more time before it got better.  you just need to give it more time.  i now have 100% back.  I had 35 rad tx with the last one being 10/22/09.  i don't remember exactly how long it took but i do remember it seeming like forever!  good luck.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Sailor123
    Sailor123 Member Posts: 97
    #6
    Hi JC:I'm now 7 months post

    Hi JC:

    I'm now 7 months post treatment and my mouth is still really dry.  I haven't had much luck with the mints either, but do find Biotene gel gets me through most of the night.  It has gotten a little better recenltly, but i'm still very dependant on my water bottle and constantly refilling it.  Regeneration can take a very long time.  I also have an unpleasant taste in my mouth often.  I have recently learned that zinc is directly connected to taste.  We have been getting mine up as my nutritionist says I won't taste anything until my zinc levels are normal.  Might be worth looking into.  I have noticed as my zinc level goes up (which we test with bloodwork) slowly my sense of taste is returning.  I tasted sugar yesterday for the first time. Ahhhhh.  I know its discouraging.  Hang in there!

  • Sonja.K
    Sonja.K Member Posts: 80 Member
    #7
    Sailor123 said:

    Hi JC:I'm now 7 months post

    Hi JC:

    I'm now 7 months post treatment and my mouth is still really dry.  I haven't had much luck with the mints either, but do find Biotene gel gets me through most of the night.  It has gotten a little better recenltly, but i'm still very dependant on my water bottle and constantly refilling it.  Regeneration can take a very long time.  I also have an unpleasant taste in my mouth often.  I have recently learned that zinc is directly connected to taste.  We have been getting mine up as my nutritionist says I won't taste anything until my zinc levels are normal.  Might be worth looking into.  I have noticed as my zinc level goes up (which we test with bloodwork) slowly my sense of taste is returning.  I tasted sugar yesterday for the first time. Ahhhhh.  I know its discouraging.  Hang in there!

    Zinc

    Are you taking zinc supplements?   

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #8
    I am just the oppsite.My

    I am just the oppsite.My mouth is just about always filled with liquid of some sort.My throat is alittle dry but not bad.But mouth is to the point sometimes that I will slur my words as speaking is chore sometimes.My doctor thinks what is happening is that whatever I'm drinking some of is laying in pockets in the mouth.Like on the sides of the tounge flap where as before we swallow without thinking about it but now need to think of think as it will get better.He said it will improve as the swelling goes down as will eating and speaking

  • Sailor123
    Sailor123 Member Posts: 97
    #9
    Hi Again:
    I realize I was

    Hi Again:

    I realize I was going on and on about taste when your request was about dry mouth.  I was just really excited to have tasted something that day.

    To answer your question, yes, my dry mouth got worse before it got better.  At the stage your at it was probably the worst. I was worried to as I thought it would get progressivly better when in fact nothing about this healing process has been linear for me.  I think i've turned a corner just to realize theres another set back ahead.  

    My dry mouth is absolutly better today then it was a few months ago.  It should continue to improve according to my sources.  Sometimes its hard to see the improvement becuase it happens so slowly, but it is happening.

    S

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #10
    Hi there

    Hi there,

     

    I too have a dry mouth. I finished my treatment on 8th August , not long before you. Im really hoping it gets better still. Can it still improve after approx 14 weeks ? Biotene which is advertised a lot on tv does absolutely nothing for me , I have no idea why its sold but it does seem to work for some people.

    I drink lots of water , cant seem to drink anything else, I can have some flavoured milk but nothing else but water and never leave home without water now. I hope it gets better. But am managing.

    I also wake up every morning and my mouth is bone dry. I think this is contributing to my croaky voice. 

    Anyway, if anybody has advice to improve it , would be nice :-)

    Robyn

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