Fungus infection?

newbride
newbride Member Posts: 142
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband is currently undergoing chemo and radiation treatments. He is an inpatient for 5 days and out for 9. Anyway I just spoke with him on the phone and he said that he has a fungus infection in his mouth. Has anyone else ever experienced this???

Comments

  • Fireman
    Fireman Member Posts: 39
    #2
    Fungal infection
    I did experience a fungal infection in my mouth for which I was prescribed Nystatin
    1 teaspoonful 3 times a day to swish around in my mouth and swallow. I also experienced a bacterial infection in my throat for which I was given Liquid Penicillin, which I took along with the Nystatin. The mouth sores, mucositis, excessive production of phlegm, are all a distant memory now of what I went through. I'm doing great now and imagine your husband will do the same. This is not uncommon from what I understand though many people are lucky enough to avoid it. I wasn't and still came out doing great. I am 1 year post treatment now from Chemo and Radiation so as you can tell, this can be dealt with very successfully. Good luck to you both and your support is more valuable now than it probably ever has been. Take time for your own support mechanisms though and you both will get through this and celebrate the rest of your lives.
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #3
    Fireman said:

    Fungal infection
    I did experience a fungal infection in my mouth for which I was prescribed Nystatin
    1 teaspoonful 3 times a day to swish around in my mouth and swallow. I also experienced a bacterial infection in my throat for which I was given Liquid Penicillin, which I took along with the Nystatin. The mouth sores, mucositis, excessive production of phlegm, are all a distant memory now of what I went through. I'm doing great now and imagine your husband will do the same. This is not uncommon from what I understand though many people are lucky enough to avoid it. I wasn't and still came out doing great. I am 1 year post treatment now from Chemo and Radiation so as you can tell, this can be dealt with very successfully. Good luck to you both and your support is more valuable now than it probably ever has been. Take time for your own support mechanisms though and you both will get through this and celebrate the rest of your lives.

    Infection
    This is probably a thrush infection. I didn't like the liquid form of the medication to take care of this but rather liked the pills better. Diflucan is a small pill that you take for 10 days consisting of 11 pills. 2 the first day and 1 per day after that. I had it several times during treatment and a few more times after. Now when I get it, which isn't very often, I can self diagnose it and just call the doctor to get the prescription to the pharmacy.

    At least he is already at the hospital so they can start the treatment of it as soon as it popped up instead of having to wait to see the doctor after the fact.
  • BeenThereDoneThat
    BeenThereDoneThat Member Posts: 33
    #4
    SASH said:

    Infection
    This is probably a thrush infection. I didn't like the liquid form of the medication to take care of this but rather liked the pills better. Diflucan is a small pill that you take for 10 days consisting of 11 pills. 2 the first day and 1 per day after that. I had it several times during treatment and a few more times after. Now when I get it, which isn't very often, I can self diagnose it and just call the doctor to get the prescription to the pharmacy.

    At least he is already at the hospital so they can start the treatment of it as soon as it popped up instead of having to wait to see the doctor after the fact.

    Ditto SASH!!!
    I agree with SASH. THe Diflucan worked great for me. I had been using the Nystatin. It was NASTY tasting (even the grape flavor!) and didn't work quickly. I had several bouts during and after my treatment. Thankfully, been fine since (5 years!).

    Also, watch for a recurrence of fungus if you take any antibiotics for something. They allow the fungus to grow.

    I think Diflucan will take care of it.

    Take care,
    George
  • newbride
    newbride Member Posts: 142
    #5
    Thanks
    Thanks everyone. Makes me feel much better knowing it is not uncommon. I thought we might be facing another "unknown".
  • newbride
    newbride Member Posts: 142
    #6
    SASH said:

    Infection
    This is probably a thrush infection. I didn't like the liquid form of the medication to take care of this but rather liked the pills better. Diflucan is a small pill that you take for 10 days consisting of 11 pills. 2 the first day and 1 per day after that. I had it several times during treatment and a few more times after. Now when I get it, which isn't very often, I can self diagnose it and just call the doctor to get the prescription to the pharmacy.

    At least he is already at the hospital so they can start the treatment of it as soon as it popped up instead of having to wait to see the doctor after the fact.

    Sash
    Hi Sash
    Diflucan is what they prescribed for him. Along with a special mouth wash that contains lidocaine that he has to use every 2 hours.
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #7
    newbride said:

    Sash
    Hi Sash
    Diflucan is what they prescribed for him. Along with a special mouth wash that contains lidocaine that he has to use every 2 hours.

    Lidocaine
    Make sure to shake the bottle well or his entire head will be numb for days as mine was after the first time I took the stuff. The pharmacy at the cancer center forgot to put the "shake well" label on the bottle. What a fun experience that was.
  • BeenThereDoneThat
    BeenThereDoneThat Member Posts: 33
    #8
    newbride said:

    Thanks
    Thanks everyone. Makes me feel much better knowing it is not uncommon. I thought we might be facing another "unknown".

    Yogurt
    Forgot one more thing.........I was told that eating yogurt would help to control fungus. Good news was that it did seem to help......bad news was that I don't like yogurt! I did find some flavors that were tolerable, though.

    May want to check this out with the doc, but that's what I remember.

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