Does acupuncture help saliva glands damaged from radiation?

Hi @fordham and welcome to our group. I am only aware of acupuncture working to alleviate pain. Perhaps someone here has experience with cures as well. Dry mouth and taste issues are pretty common and usually get better in a few years, yes years.

I checked with md Anderson as they were the ones that said acupuncture would help that’s why I’m looking for someone who has tried this I know it can take years for saliva and taste buds to get better I’m getting better every day but my radiologist says this might be as good as it gets

It’s been a year and a half since I finished treatment I was reading where acupuncture could help with saliva glands that’s what I’m looking for if anyone has tried this

I as well as others would be interested in the answer to that question also. Speaking for the many dry mouths among us.

@fordham I have not tried acupuncture, but a medication called Cevimeline has helped me tremendously. Good luck!

I take pilocarpine for saliva but I don’t think it helps that much is that the same as cevimeline

Google says they are not the same drug, but in the same class of drugs. For me, I can feel the impact of Cevimeline soon after I take it.

Talk to your care team and see what they think.

Thanks I was planning on that I just got done reading about all the side effects are you having any

They are manageable and I have learned to accept them. Given the experiences of some folks, I feel extremely lucky to just have a few minor things.

Yes I would love to hear from someone who has acupuncture. My oncologist recommended it saying that several of her patients had found some relief. There are no practitioners in our small town and travel with our limited income is on a "must go" basis. Plus I'm a little chicken about needles 🙂