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Angel:

Sorry you have to be on this site; however, I believe you will see it is full of very caring people who will help you where ever possible. I was diagnosed Stage IVA Tonsil Cancer (T2N2aM0) with spread into base of tongue, soft palate and 1 nearby lymph node. Surgery was followed by 33 radiation treatments and 6 Cisplatin infusions. As many will tell you on this site, everyone will experience the side effects differently.

I was able to keep the sores at bay by staying hydrated and rinsing with the salt/baking soda you describe above.  Also, swishing/swallowing with L-glutamine seems to help as well. I was able to maintain swallowing function throughout my treatments (albeit liquids only after week 3 due to the onset of heavy mucous) and that allowed me to take in high protein shakes and commercial supplements such as Boost. The excessive mucous was my biggest enemy during this whole process although many others experience significant sores. Totally warding off mucositis is impossible I believe, but use the recommendations you can find on this site to minimize the onset as much as possible.

I hope you have much success during the treatment process. Remember, as you have problems arise, post to this site and allow its members to help you through the crisis point.

Freddie

I finished rads and chemo for Stage III HPV+ oropharyngeal SCC with two lymph nodes just a little over a week ago. I did really well for several weeks, but around week 5, things got worse in terms of pain and mucus. I did the salt/soda rinses, drank aloe juice, lots of water, etc which I think helped keep the mucus at bay for a while. Eventually, though, we all deal with it to some degree or another. For me, the worst was right around last week of treatment and since then. Mucibnex round-the-clock really helps, as does a humidifier going non stop. Anti nausea meds help me, too, but sometimess I'll just have a bad day where I can't keep anything down.

It's a really harsh treatment, but he will have good days. And, soon he'll be back to normal and cancer free!

Kari

Angel5,

Welcome to the H&N forum, you sound like you are doing everything correct.  I don’t know how well we head off side effects, but we are pretty good reactionaries.  For me, I always had a pitcher of salt and soda at the ready and drank approx. 10 glasses of water a day.  My #1 product was magic mouth wash.  the stuff I had and for me it was aa blessing for throat, mouth and tongue discomfort.  I swished and swallowed every drop of 6 bottles, but that is me.

Don’t be surprised if things get complicated or if they don’t.  All the meds your team recommends to you to have, get them!  It is far better to be over prepared then not.  Stay hydrated and get as much nourishment as you can.

This is all temporary and you need to get your head in it and I especially mean the patient.

Good luck,

Matt

You have got great advise from the above responses.  I am starting 5 months out of treatment.  My mouth sores were the worse and mucus came in a close second.  Used the above remedies.  I just got my 1st nasty Summer cold and all the mucus memories came flooding back.  If your mouth does not have tons of sores and you can tolerate warm or hotter water........I tried a small teaspoon of lemon in water heated and it seemed to help cut the mucus a bit along with soothing my throat.  Love hot tea but seems to make more mucus.  Take a tiny sip to make sure you can tolerate the lemon.  Hope it helps some.   Hugs, Lisa

as things pop up...the things you can pick up at the health food store, or grocery store.  Things seem to come around on weekends for some reason...maybe it's getting 2 days off the radiation circle?  L-Glutamine powder can be found at the health food store....mix a couple teaspoons into water, swish/hold/swallow....it's good for digestion, too.  Of course your soda/salt should always be handy....If mouth sores become intense there are prescription drugs to help ease the pain. 

I used Mugard to prevent mouth sores....it worked, and I had none during radiation....but at the time it was in clinical trials...and cheap....now it's not.

He may get through this with little trouble....I remember feeling guilty during radiation when many of my friends on here were suffering horribly, and I wasn't really suffering at all.  I got my dose of suffering when everyone else I started treatment with were done, and I still had 3 months of adjuvant chemo left to do...

p 

theo64 said:

saliva glans

Hi could anybody tell me how to slow down saliva gland's? I had half my tongue removed two years com October,thank god I'm still cancer free! But I do have his bad problem with saliva while trying to talk, I have to carry a wash cloth around & I'm really getting tiered of it, so any idea's would be helpful! Thank you,

theo64,

Welcome to the H&N forum, many of us have had some issues with saliva.  There is one member who sticks out as having an abundance of spit and for the life of me I cannot remember his name.  I will do some snooping around for him.  I know he checks in occasionally, so maybe he will see your post.

The H&N member's name is Thennies61.

Speaking of your  post, to get maximum exposure your best bet is to start a new thread and introduce yourself and your question.  I cannot guarantee a solution, but having more H&N eyes see and think about your issues the better.

Now if you are talking about drooling on pillow cases, you are really in the right place.

Matt