1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Excess phlegm after oral cancer surgery: What helps?

Posted by rjcod1955 @rjcod1955, May 4, 2023

I had oral cancer surgery in September of 2022. I did not receive radiation or chemo after the surgery. Since then, I have had copious amount of thick, sticky mucous in my mouth that makes it hard for me to speak and swallow my food. My head & neck surgeons do not have any answers. I have tried Mucinex, Zarbees, Ginger Ale, Club Soda, Warm Water with Baking Soda, Biotene, Biotene Gel, all to little or no help. Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, any suggestions?
Thank you.

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

kadjur | @kadjur | Feb 10 6:17am

I am the same but got z lump feeling in my throat. MY mouth is full of thick slimy saliva and phlegm in my throat. It makes me feel sick.
I have the lump feeling in my throat. Had lots of tests. All OK. My nose streams when I wake up. Eating is a nightmare.
I never had radiotherapy. I had mine done by Simon Whitley

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Feb 10 8:37am
In reply to @kadjur "I am the same but got z lump feeling in my throat. MY mouth is full..." + (show)
@kadjur

I am the same but got z lump feeling in my throat. MY mouth is full of thick slimy saliva and phlegm in my throat. It makes me feel sick.
I have the lump feeling in my throat. Had lots of tests. All OK. My nose streams when I wake up. Eating is a nightmare.
I never had radiotherapy. I had mine done by Simon Whitley

Jump to this post

I have read that there are saliva substitutes available by prescription. Perhaps you should inquire from your ENT how to get started on this. I learned a lot about dry mouth by joining the group Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC). They have some good publications and can be contacted online.

REPLY
1 reply
jimthomasintl | @jimthomasintl | Feb 11 6:43am
In reply to @sepdvm "I have read that there are saliva substitutes available by prescription. Perhaps you should inquire from..." + (show)
@sepdvm

I have read that there are saliva substitutes available by prescription. Perhaps you should inquire from your ENT how to get started on this. I learned a lot about dry mouth by joining the group Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC). They have some good publications and can be contacted online.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the referral to SPOHNC. I signed up to recive the newsletter and read some of the blogs. It is very good content. Did you become a member? Is it worthwhile?

REPLY
1 reply
rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Feb 11 7:27am

I had radiation treatment for vocal cord cancer. I completely lost my voice, had much phlegm and pain in swallowing. I started drinking marshmallow root tea twice a day. My voice came back in two days, throat healed fairly quickly, and my phlegm subsided.

REPLY
stephenrfleury | @stephenrfleury | Feb 11 7:34am

@rjcod1955 I take Cevilime for dry mouth post radiation. Ask your provider if this can benefit you.

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Feb 11 8:25am
In reply to @jimthomasintl "Thanks for the referral to SPOHNC. I signed up to recive the newsletter and read some..." + (show)
@jimthomasintl

Thanks for the referral to SPOHNC. I signed up to recive the newsletter and read some of the blogs. It is very good content. Did you become a member? Is it worthwhile?

Jump to this post

I purchased their cookbooks and products and resources books and found those very helpful. I joined, but have not found the written newsletters as useful. I don't live near an active group but if I did I would definitely continue my membership. As it stands, I am a member mostly just to support their cause of helping others.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.