Thick mucous question

mskitty137
mskitty137 Member Posts: 73
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi all! My husband is almost through with his 35 rads and only 1 more round of Cisplatin.  Of course, he's battled the loas of taste and appetite,  some fatigue,  and sore throat. All of that, he has taken in stride. But, the thick glue like mucous is almost more than he can bear. Our question is will the mucous situation improve or even go away at some point? 

Thanks so much. This forum has been almost a life line to me as I help him navigate this hellish journey.

 

Comments

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
    The thick stuff

    Over time the thick mucous normally diminishes either entirely or to what I would call a manageable level.  There are certain foods/drinks that make it worse for many, dairy is one.  There are certain things that you learn to live with in the "new normal" and this is one of them.  

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    edited March 2017 #3
    Mucinex

    Jim's doctor prescribed over the counter Mucinex from their beginning of radiation to thin the mucous. Seven years later and he is still on it today.

  • Josephwc
    Josephwc Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2017 #4
    Drink drink drink

    drink loads of water it definitely helped me and the doctors recommend . Things will get better.

  • AnotherSurvivor
    AnotherSurvivor Member Posts: 383 Member
    #5
    The mucus comes from the

    The mucus comes from the tissue that is abused by radiation.  As the tissue heals the mucus drops.  It takes some months after radiation stops for the tissue to heal, depends on the individual.   Mine was completely gone at 10 weeks post, unfortunately it's been replaced by dry mouth.  Still, I will take chewing gum and water bottles over mucus.  There are studies that correlate healing with higher levels of nutritional protein, so I tried to do 200-300% of daily recommended minimum as part of my 2,000 daily calories.  Calories = recovery.  The better nurished and hydrated, the easier the recovery.  That is far easier said than done when you have no appetite, are gaging on scum, and generally feel like crud.  Unfortunately, it also remains true; there are no magic bullets, tho for me there were gallons of chicken soup and in the end that was my magic bullet.   

  • HelenBack
    HelenBack Member Posts: 87 Member
    #6
    Mucous

    My husband's mucous wasn't severe but papaya enzyme tablets helped him a lot. His ENT is a big fan of using Mucinex as well. It comes in many formulations with other stuff you don't need, just look for the straight Mucinex. I think it's just enxymes to thin mucous, not unlike papaya. You do have to be able to drink a lot of water when using it. I have seen people who are having major problems talk about suction machines. Ask your team about getting a prescription for one. 

    If he's really dehydrated and not able to drink much, perhaps he can schedule some water infusions right before or after radiation slot. It's a hassle but it really helped keep my husband feeling well. It was our idea, the rad onc had never heard of anyone doing that, and it helped.

    I think it will go away eventually, but things tend to get a bit worse after treatment finishes and having that machine may be necessary.

    Good Luck,

    Helen

  • mskitty137
    mskitty137 Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2017 #7
    Thanks! It's helpful to know

    Thanks! It's helpful to know it should only be somewhat temporary.  He was unable to take mucinex.  The pills were too big and the liquid form almost made vomit. He is drinking loads of water. Has to to counteract the Cisplatin. Today actually seems a bit better, knock on wood. 

    I had not heard of papaya enzymes but will definitely look into getting some.

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 726 Member
    #8
    May Sound Strange

    My neighbor and good friend is about a year out from his rads after battling SCC. He told me his mucus is still a problem which surprised me because it's been so long since his last treatment.  Anyway, he told me he took Prevecid (Lansoprozole) and his mucus diminished by about 80%.  He used to take it before his cancer DX but wasn't sure if it was okay or not to go back to it.  That also surprised me because that was the first thing my ENT asked when she found my C.  Do I have acid reflux?  I said no, but she didn't believe me and told me to take some to prevent any irritation of the throat.

    You might want to try it and see if it helps.  Why it helps him I can't say.  And the mucinex did nothing for it but helped me quite a bit.

    Everyone is different I guess.

  • Joy123
    Joy123 Member Posts: 11
    #9
    I had a horrendous amount of

    I had a horrendous amount of the thick mucous. I would choke on it day and night. It was awful. Fortunately it does get better.  I still get a little bit but much better now. I had chemo and radiation for scc of tongue and lymph node. I finished radiation March 1. And chemo the week before.  Hang in there.  It will get better. 

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #10
    tommyodavey said:

    May Sound Strange

    My neighbor and good friend is about a year out from his rads after battling SCC. He told me his mucus is still a problem which surprised me because it's been so long since his last treatment.  Anyway, he told me he took Prevecid (Lansoprozole) and his mucus diminished by about 80%.  He used to take it before his cancer DX but wasn't sure if it was okay or not to go back to it.  That also surprised me because that was the first thing my ENT asked when she found my C.  Do I have acid reflux?  I said no, but she didn't believe me and told me to take some to prevent any irritation of the throat.

    You might want to try it and see if it helps.  Why it helps him I can't say.  And the mucinex did nothing for it but helped me quite a bit.

    Everyone is different I guess.

    Not strange

    I was already on it for GERD, and so far, touch wood, its not so bad!

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