phlegm and eating

welcome to our little slice of the internet....I don't know if you've been lurking and are just now saying hello, or if you simply stumbled in here today.....none the less you have found a great forum to voice your concerns.

I didn't have the phelgm mostly due (I think) to the fact that I also had Amifostine during my rad treatments....but I've surely heard a lot about it in the year+ that I've been here.  Some people have had good luck with Mucinex, so you might want to give that a try.  Hot tea, also....most tho, simply get thru each day until the crap goes away.

If your weight becomes too much of a problem (you didn't say how much you've lost over all).....you wouldn't be the first person who ended up with a tube after treatment is over.  That is one way to circumvent the phlegm causing problems.

p

Tony,

Welcome to the H&N forum, where we have problems with phlegm and ropey saliva coming out our mouths.

Keep working the problem, keep swishing and spitting, try warm drinks, try soda, try water based protein drinks, try thinning out the Ensure or Boost, but keep putting the calories in.  Even if it takes all day to get what you need.  About the time you learn to deal with these issues, they will most likely be gone or better.

The post treatment side effects can be a challenge; there are very few successful “short-cuts” to the hurdles you must jump.  Try anything legal, but get an ok from the onc if it seems risky.

Happy healing,

Matt

tony, just want 2 say i hope u find something that works very soon.  it will just take time.

joe, i hope ur 1st tuna sandwich tasted real good.    :0)

dj

cadharose said:

Oh yes, the mucus. I have

Oh yes, the mucus. I have been dealing with that in a major way since my treatment ended nearly 3 weeks ago. There seems to be no end to it and eating does seem to provoke it. I was in the doctor's office a couple days ago and reassured that it will come to an end, probably in about 2 weeks.

As someone else said, you might try a thorough washout of your sinuses and mouth, etc., before eating. I do that, but it seems as soon as I think I've gotten it all out, then there's more.

As for more calories, load up on those protein shakes. ScandiShakes are great (if you can find them) - mixed with whole milk they have almost 600 calories each. I have also been downing a large spoonful of canola oil with each protein shake, for an extra few hundred calories per day. I know that sounds gross, but I don't really taste it and it goes down easily.

We used Glutamine in water, per Phrannie suggestion. It helped with mouth sores but really thinned the mucous and phlegm problem. I couldn't find the powder form locally but we picked up tablet form and I would cruch 2 and put in a 16 oz bottle of water. He sipped it all day long

fishmanpa said:

It's still early

Hi Tony,

Yes, the dreaded mucous/snot devil. I read of folks talking about it and he came to visit me about the 4th week of treatment. I was going through boxes of tissues for weeks! (Puffs with lotion are from heaven!). Like many others, a rinse that containing glutamine worked pretty well. I used 16oz water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking soda and 5 grams (one scoop) powdered l-glutamine. It helped the mucous issue and soothed my mouth as well. 

Give it some time. It was about 2-3 weeks out and all of a sudden I wasn't using as many tissues and then poof!... it was gone that quickly... within a couple of days. Then comes the dry mouth... save it for another thread...

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

 

I know this post is old but I just stumbled on it having beeen going through dreaded mucus/snot devil. I just thought to pop you a ffew questions to clarify. When you say a rinse, do you mean a nasal rinse, a gargle solution or mouth rinse? Was the solution lasting? Still holding on to those positive thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

Memma

When I was hospitalized during week 4 of treatment I became acquainted with portable suction pumps.  I recommend the gomco 330a from medicalresources.com.  It became my best friend, and I got out of the spitting business.   Today, week 8 post-treatment I still use it , but much less. When I drink a shake, I do accumulate some scum that accumulates due to the thick milk and corn syrup.  The phelgm is actually because of the raw tissue from the radiation, and will reduce as the tissue heals.  Anything that helps tissue heal, like water irrigation and periodic baths of salt n soda will move you along.  It doesn't happen quickly, but I notice it is happening.  I just got done with a therapy session with my oncol speech and swallow therapist, and she evaluated my throat.  My bet is another 3 weeks for me.  I don't have much pain, but I don't have appitite either.  Surprising tastes come thru, and then leave.  

Are you sure you want L Glut during post-treatment?  I used it during, but have been told to lay off it now that I'm done.