Doxil - mouthsores

biotene
You can also try Biotene mouth rinse, sold among mouthwash products at all drug stores. It feels comfortably slick and minty in your mouth. Mom used it several times a day when she had outbreaks, and especially at night before she went to bed. I wish I could offer more help with your other problems, besides reminding you of how many people there are supporting you through this ordeal.

Doxil
OMG!

Before I was done with my doxil treatments, my gums took a beating.

Throughout my treatment, my dentist recommended a wonderful mouthwash called Oasis Sensodyne Moisturizing Mouthwash. It can be purchased over the counter.

Also regarding the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands; before you are done with the doxil, you can possibility expect them become somewhat discolored (kinda of a purplish hue), and very dry.

However, rest easy because shortly after your doxil is done, all of the discolorations and skin issues return to normal.

Sharon

sofarstillhere said:

mouth sores
Hi Nancy, I am new to this sight. Actually I have read the comments for several months, but haven't written anything. I just had to tell you about my experience with doxil. I had terrible mouth sores. Tried warm salt water washes, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, over the counter produts, L-lysine and a prescription called magic mouthwash. Nothing helped and I could hardly even eat anything. I had to see my dentist for a procedure and he gave me a prescription for triamcin/orabas 0.1% It absolutely worked miracle for me. I hope this will help you too. Doxil really wasn't too bad except for those mouth sores. I was religious about using ice bags on my habnds and feet the day before chemo and several times a day for at least six days afterwards and then I went to bed with an ice bag for my hands. Sounds like a lot of work but it saved me a lot of grief. Good luck and God be with you. Patty

YES, GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR "MAGIC MOUTHWASH"
IN NY YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION, BUT OTHER STATES DON'T REQUIRE IT. IT'S A MIXTURE THAT THE PHARMACIST COOKS UP THAT HAS LIDOCAINE AND OTHER INGREDIENTS GUARANTEED TO WORK. CALL FIRST THING TOMORROW AM AND YOU WILL BE A HAPPIER CAMPER! All phamacists know it and your oncological nurse will also know it. If she doesn't ask for Kristy, Dr. Bell McGwinn's nurse and ask for it...Tell her Lisa (joan jack's mother) told you to call.

oral impact
Hi Nancy, I had horrible mouth sores (maybe 30!) after my second dose of doxil. I tried everything including gels and mouth washes and nothing seemed to make any difference. They did finally clear up right before my second dose. My doc recommended Oral Impact. THere is not any research on this, but it is used by hospitals for patients to build their immune system for patients going into surgery that are old or weak. I use it every time starting the day before infusion and have no problems since. Here is the website if you are interested.

My doc heard about this while he was at a conference in Europe, from another doc there that had some success with it for his patients.
Let me know if you end up using it and if it works, my doc will be interested to hear about it.

Take care,
kathleen:)

This is one of the websites offering it, although there are others making it too.

http://www.rehabmart.com.sg/Nutritionals/Oral Impact.htm

nancy591 said:

thanks for all responses
I did call my doctor this morning and they called in a script for me. I not sure what they called in though...I didn't ask. I have heard of magic mouthwas and biotene.

I do have two more questions though! How do you secure the icepacks and do you use regular frozen peas or somthing similar?

Has anyone experienced a rash? I have a pinpoint rash all over my thighs and is now spreading on my calf. I am worried it will spread to my face...that would be a quality of life issue for me LOL!!!
The doctor said to use bag balm or aquaphor liberally. Any other suggestions?

rash and ice bags
First for the ice, I bought some reusable gel packs that come with sleeves to put them in at Walmart. There were 3 sizes to a pack. They have a velcro closure on them so you can put them on and still do something. My Dr. said to only keep them on 20 minutes at a time as it can damage your skin if you leave them on much longer. I would use them for twenty minutes then wait an hour or two and reuse depending on how hot and sore my feet and hands were. It says you only need to this the day before chem and 5 or 6 days afterwards, but I found I needed to use ice a bit longer, so after about a week I would go to bed with an icebag(also from walmart) and everytime I woke up or turned over I would cuddle the ice bag for a few minutes. It got me through with a minimum of discomfort. As for the rash, boy I broke out all over my legs. It looked like I had a horrible case of the measles or something. I saw a dermatologist for this, he knew I had cancer and was doing chemo. He prescribed triamcinolone acetonide cream usp, 0.1%. Use it as sparingly as possible, but it really did help with the discomfort and the itching. Hope this will help. Patty

sofarstillhere said:

doxil
Hi, I just got through taking 8 doxil treatments. My ca125 finally went low enough to get a chemo break. My Dr. had me taking them every 28 days, but I have had lots of chemo so I think that might be why. My first 2 doxil treatments weren't too bad, but by the third one I was breaking out in that awful rash, the hand and foot syndrom and then the mouth sores. My tongue also felt odd and food didn't have much taste, sort of like having a cold where you can't taste anything. I used that cream the dermatologist prescribed and it helped with the rash a lot. It's been over 30 days since my last chemo and I no longer have any rashes, but still can't wear anything tight at all. I did have a little depression but, the thing that I experienced was a really angry feeling which is not like me because I am usually very easy going. I think my husband is glad I'm through for now. The angry stuff would mostly be the third week , who knows. I hope this chemo will be good for you. I'm grateful that it worked good enough to give me a chemo break. Patty

rashes
I did also get the rashes on my trunk and legs below my knees. I used steroid cream sparingly and they cleared up before my next infusion. What dose are you taking? I started out on 40mg/ m2, and after the 4th dose when I got bad blisters on my feet, it was lowered to 30mg/m2. This seems to be a great dose for me, no side effects at all. On the other hand, that is a low dosage, and I will have to see if the CA 125 goes up. I get my 6th cycle on Friday, and he will be adding in carbo, providing there are no changes in the CA.
kathleen

doxil mouthsores and doxil side affects
Hi I've been on doxil . i will be going for my 8th treatment on the 24th im really doing well on doxil, yes i have side effects but nothing compared to the other chemo treatment i started out with which had me so sick i wanted to die . i could not even get out of bed, i could barley lift my head off the pillow. it was bad. i was so weak and in so much pain. muscle aches were bad, i lost my hair, and i could barley taste food . i didnt even want to eat. when i started the doxil, it was so different. i was up. i wanted to eat. my hair grew back . my numbers went down really fast, with the other one they barley moved . i was so happy, if you can be happy about chemo. anyway, i do have mouth sores, swelling, and hand and foot syndrome. i get dicoloration of my hands, feet, and tongue. i get sores on my body in different places. i do have aches and pains, but not everyday, 24hrs a day, so i can take it . i am supposed to be on doxil until june, but we will see how things go. my dr. says . what i do about the symptoms is gargle with salt water, baking soda and water or a peroxide and water mixture. i also use children's toothpaste because every thing burns my mouth now even mint. im wearing loose clothes as much as possible, and i have sores by my private parts where the panty elastic is.I swab it with a little alcohol on the swab , it doesnt burn because its not a open sore its like a bump and i get these in diffent places where something is rubbing my skin,this works for me. my eyes also tear up a lot and my nose runs constantly. my hands swell up and they burn . i use lots of lotions and cream on my skin but with all this it is ten times better than what i was on at first.