Did you lose your hair with chemo and radiation?

Posted by cris2 @cris2, Jan 30 3:19pm

Did everyone lose their hair with tonsil cancer. Does it just thin or all come out for a man?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Jan 30 10:18pm

I and at least one other that follows this group lost hair where the beam hit the head, more or less straight line across the back of the head. I looked like I had a Monk cut. It fell out after about three weeks in and fell out in about a 24 hour time period. Even my oncologist said “wow”. Guess that’s better than “oops”.

cris2 | @cris2 | Jan 31 5:36am

Now today my husband’s denture doesn’t fit, he’s not happy, one thing after another, not to think of the cost for new ones. What does he do in the mean time, it wouldn’t help to make new ones now, until treatments end. He’ll need to get on something like Xanax. Will see what the dr says today.

William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Feb 1 7:01pm

In reply to @cris2 "Now today my husband’s denture doesn’t fit, he’s not happy, one thing after another, not to..." + (show)

One day at a time. I would hold off on dentures replacement for a while. Dentist might be able to modify what he has for now. They understand what these treatments will do to a person.

cris2 | @cris2 | Feb 1 7:04pm

Ok thanks

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 2 7:09am

In reply to @cris2 "Now today my husband’s denture doesn’t fit, he’s not happy, one thing after another, not to..." + (show)

Hi @cris2. Just popping into the conversation to give a little assistance with your husband’s denture problem. Your husband is most likely losing some weight with all his cancer treatments. That can change how his dentures fit.

If they are getting loose and he’s not able to eat with them try a dental adhesive. You can find adhesives in any drug store or supermarket. There are quite a few different types such as powder, creams or tapes. So I’ve provided a couple of links below for you to read through to see what might be the best for your husband.

The adhesive gives cushioning between the tissue and the denture to fill in the gaps left behind by the changing tissue in his mouth. It also helps with suction to keep them anchored. I think he’ll find this pretty comfortable and his dentures will be stable again.

At some point when your husband’s treatment is over and he’s able to regain weight, his dentures may be just fine again. However, if they don’t, the dentist can do what’s called a Reline where a new layer of denture material is applied on top of the original denture. It will fit like new again without the cost of making an entirely new prosthetic.
https://www.forbes.com/health/dental/best-denture-adhesives/
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https://www.dentaly.org/us/dentures-false-teeth/best-denture-adhesive/
I hope this helps! Let me know, ok?

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 9 5:11pm

In reply to @cris2 "Now today my husband’s denture doesn’t fit, he’s not happy, one thing after another, not to..." + (show)

Hi @cris2, I was wondering how your husband is doing with his dentures. Did you see this reply I wrote a couple weeks ago? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1008142/

My career was in dentistry and I have quite a bit of experience with the type of issues your husband is having with his dentures due to weight loss and changes in his oral tissue due to his cancer treatments. I’m hoping the ideas I gave you may help him feel more comfortable with his dentures and his ability to eat a little easier. Has he tried any adhesives?

cris2 | @cris2 | Feb 9 5:23pm

In reply to @loribmt "Hi @cris2, I was wondering how your husband is doing with his dentures. Did you see..." + (show)

Yes very helpful, although he didn’t use anything yet, at home he just keeps his dentures out, just puts them in to eat. I mentioned these to him though.
Today he’s having trouble with hiccups and very uncomfortable, don’t know why they just come , he’s had them all day. It’s always something.