Need Some Help

Mendy
Mendy Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with Nasopharnyxgeal Carcinoma in July 2005. I had my back lower teeth removed 3 on one side and 2 on the other. I have a feeding tube and already completed 39 treatments of radiation. Now I am recovering from that. The doctor said no sergury is need at this time he wants to wait for 4 months. My problem is that I have alot of mucus in my nose and my mouth is always gets dry when I have it open. So I have to concentrate breathing thru my nose. My ears are plugged and ringing always. My Chemo starts in first week of December. I only swallow water alittle. Can anyone tell me how to deal with this problem? I am getting tired of it and it is bring me down. I know it takes time but how much time. (depends on the individual I know) Please provide some help!! Thank you very much in advanced!!!

Comments

  • devildawg
    devildawg Member Posts: 16
    #2
    Hi mendy, I to have nasalpharyngeal carcinoma,I was diag. in sept. of 2004.The mucus from my experience will slowly get better but I still have problems with it,as far as the dry mouth that doesnt seem to get much better,I found a spray made by orajel that helps,I found it at the local grocery store,but could not find at pharmacies.I have dryness in my nose along with my mouth and have found that water doesnt do anything but make the drymouth worse, milk and soda help the dryness for a longer period of time(I think has to do with the syrup in the soda).I too have plugged ears and although it has got somewhat better it still is like i have ear plugs in, the ringing for me has gone away(I found that earplugs in one ear helps some). I know how frustrating all of the side effects can be,and I know its hard to explain to others exactly what the problems are, I will tell you that from my experience most of the side effects pass,but the others will continue to bother you,but its basically trial and error to find out what helps these problems and what doesnt.If you have any other questions or concerns please contact me. I visit this site 2 or 3 times a week and would be happy to help.Take care and keep faith it will get better.
  • Christmas
    Christmas Member Posts: 100
    #3
    Hi, Mendy:
    Doctors told me that the mucous is from scarring tissue. Irrigate your nose with a saline solution. Pharmacies carry them. One kind is just a plastic squirt bottle. Another is like an aerosol can. The mucous will go away, but I still have to irrigate at least twice daily. I sometimes skip the saline solution and just clean out that area by breathing in plain water when I'm washing up. Yes, at times, it seems that the more water I drink, the drier I get. Keep trying different types of drinks. Apple juice, water sweetened with honey, aloe vera juice, sugar cane juice, coconut juice. Try soups and broths. I find that I don't tolerate frutcose syrup or artificial sweetners well. So it has to be natural juice or drinks sweetened with natural sugar. Everything in that area will feel dry. I lubricate my ear canal with baby oil. I use eye drops to lubricate my eyes. My eyes are now super sensitive to irritants. I didn't have a feeding tube, so I had to force myself to eat and drink. I think maybe that helped me from becoming too dry. I finished my radiation two years ago November and chemo four months after that. I went back to work three months after completing my chemo. Be patient. Take it one day at a time. The treatment is tough, but the road is worth it.
  • Mendy
    Mendy Member Posts: 10
    #4
    devildawg said:

    Hi mendy, I to have nasalpharyngeal carcinoma,I was diag. in sept. of 2004.The mucus from my experience will slowly get better but I still have problems with it,as far as the dry mouth that doesnt seem to get much better,I found a spray made by orajel that helps,I found it at the local grocery store,but could not find at pharmacies.I have dryness in my nose along with my mouth and have found that water doesnt do anything but make the drymouth worse, milk and soda help the dryness for a longer period of time(I think has to do with the syrup in the soda).I too have plugged ears and although it has got somewhat better it still is like i have ear plugs in, the ringing for me has gone away(I found that earplugs in one ear helps some). I know how frustrating all of the side effects can be,and I know its hard to explain to others exactly what the problems are, I will tell you that from my experience most of the side effects pass,but the others will continue to bother you,but its basically trial and error to find out what helps these problems and what doesnt.If you have any other questions or concerns please contact me. I visit this site 2 or 3 times a week and would be happy to help.Take care and keep faith it will get better.

    Hi Devil Dawg, I am a retired Navy Senior Chief. Thank you so much for responding. It means so much to me. I forgot to say I was 43 years old. My chemo starts Monday after Thanksgiving. My treatment will be 4 days in the hospital then off 3 or 4 weeks then back again 4 days. I will do this 3 times. Then I will be done. There alot of my days that go by that I feel real down on life and maybe because I am alone during the day. But I have a hard time getting energy up to deal with the symtoms I have. Believe me I want to do more and but all this nose and throat and coughing seems to be in control of me and in what I do. I get alot of rest but hardly any sleep. But I will keep up the good spirits and keep the faith as always. Again Thank you for you help and experience.
  • Mendy
    Mendy Member Posts: 10
    #5
    Christmas said:

    Hi, Mendy:
    Doctors told me that the mucous is from scarring tissue. Irrigate your nose with a saline solution. Pharmacies carry them. One kind is just a plastic squirt bottle. Another is like an aerosol can. The mucous will go away, but I still have to irrigate at least twice daily. I sometimes skip the saline solution and just clean out that area by breathing in plain water when I'm washing up. Yes, at times, it seems that the more water I drink, the drier I get. Keep trying different types of drinks. Apple juice, water sweetened with honey, aloe vera juice, sugar cane juice, coconut juice. Try soups and broths. I find that I don't tolerate frutcose syrup or artificial sweetners well. So it has to be natural juice or drinks sweetened with natural sugar. Everything in that area will feel dry. I lubricate my ear canal with baby oil. I use eye drops to lubricate my eyes. My eyes are now super sensitive to irritants. I didn't have a feeding tube, so I had to force myself to eat and drink. I think maybe that helped me from becoming too dry. I finished my radiation two years ago November and chemo four months after that. I went back to work three months after completing my chemo. Be patient. Take it one day at a time. The treatment is tough, but the road is worth it.

    Hi Christmas, Thank you for responding to my help. I will try and see instead of water in my feeding tube try some juices apple and others. The main thing is I wan to get back in control of my body and get better. But this nose and throat and coughing has control of me now. So I do alot praying and resting. Hardly get any sleep the past few nights. Still have to sleep sitting up due the mucus in my nose and throat area I have to spit out. I am training myself to swallow again. I haven't tried my taste buds since radiation stop. 3 weeks ago. Kind of scared that I will be disappointed that I can't taste nothing again. I know time will help cure this but you know the next question. How much time!!! But we will see. I will keep praying and keeping the faith and keep my head up and smile. Again thanks again for you information and experience.

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