Excessive mucous after throat cancer treatment: How did you cope?

My husband has similar problem. White foamy mucous. It has improved some since radiation dries the mouth but we had little luck finding anything that helped. He just carried tissues and a spit cup all the time. He can't swallow so this just added to the problem.

Phyllis, thank you so much. Fro responding,,,,, many blessing to you and your husband,

Yes I am experiencing excessive mucous and heavy green phlegm. I was told it was my sinus draining. My ENT doctor did an endoscopy and my sinus is empty, and it is not coming from my lungs- it is my body reacting to the damage that radiation did to my throat tissue. I have an inoperable base of tongue squamous cell tumor. I have completed 33 radiation treatments and accompanying chemo 40 days ago.
I was told that the phlegm and nausea and all the rest are the worst for 90 days after treatment ends. For now I am just dealing with it the best I can- which is coughing it up and spitting it out. I tried swallowing water yesterday but it went down the wrong way once, and the right way once. Good luck to you

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Blessing to you!!!!!

My husband had squamous cell base of tongue 24 years ago. He not only had the chemo and radiation, but a radical neck dissection since it went into the lymph node. About 12 years ago, he started having problems speaking and eating and just last year had a G-tube inserted. As far as mucus, that in itself became a big problem and now more excessive to the point he feels (and sounds) like he is drowning and awakes him at night while sleeping. He is constantly spitting into a cup or tissue. He has tried using a nebulizer and also a suction machine, but it did not work. As a retired nurse, I am constantly researching and trying to keep up with anything new including clinical studies. Nothing helps as far as the recommended daily remedies. Unfortunately, I am told by his physicians that it will only get worse. Yes, the cancer went away, but the damage and quality of life has taken over.

Thank you so much for sharing your husbands story with us, although I know it must be difficult. Very sorry that he is having such difficulty. Will keep you both in my prayers. I also will be watching for any news about help that may come available for people in your husband’s situation, and let you know if I see something. Best wishes.

Thank you very much for that!

So sorry. My husband had bulbar onset ALS. Lots of mucous. I did use a suction machine on him every day. The machine pulled out gobs of mucous.
Perhaps try another machine? I don't think he can suction himself. Needs a helper.

Thank you. The problem with the suction is that there is such delicate tissue and yet fibrous as well which can be compromising to the already damaged oral cavity. Due to this, the physician advised to only use it towards the front part of the oral cavity. It really did not help my husband and as a retired nurse, helped him as well. The nebulizer didn't help either. We tried meds as well, however, he just recently was given an order for Scopolamine patches so he will try those. I keep my fingers crossed!

We did use scoplamine patch. Also helped. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.