← Return to Insomnia after Neck Radiation

Discussion
harleytiger avatar

Insomnia after Neck Radiation

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Feb 25 5:53pm | Replies (19)

Comment receiving replies
Profile picture for roblem @roblem

Hi @albion223,

I had 35 rounds (7weeks) of Photon radiation for a total of 70Gy and 3 rounds (211mg each) for a total of 633 mgs of Cisplatin chemo for tonsil cancer back in 2008 but no surgery. To help with the brutal dry mouth and after my research I tried ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ACUPUNCTURE in 2015 which ironically was just being offered at my cancer clinic for head & neck cancer patients. I was tested to get a baseline and retested after 8-10 appts. and had great results. Never needed to go back and has been a non-issue even with only one working salivatory gland, and I don't have to carry a water bottle with me either to this very day. Since then, I believe there are other additional avenues like sprays to help with that. I also slept with a Humidifier on my end table to make sure there was the most moisture possible in my bedroom to help with sleep.

I got this from my other cancer group SPOHNC and it mentioned AQUAx2 which is a clinical research study for people with moderate/ severe dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by radiation therapy purpose is to assess the efficacy and safety of "gene transfer" study drug called AAV2-hAQP1.

In addition, I didn't have this available to me but others on this support group site have mentioned “Xylimelts Stick-On Melts” you can buy off Amazon and the box of 40 was less that 10 bucks. People say they really work, and they sleep through the night. And their daytime dryness is much better also. You should research using for extended period of time effects. Also, Biotene spray is effective long time after 2 or 3 sprays! And more recently there is a Aquoral Protective Oral Spray- Dry Mouth Relief which is more than temporary relief of dry mouth. Or a prescription of Cevimeline.

Good luck on the journey.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hi @albion223, I had 35 rounds (7weeks) of Photon radiation for a total of 70Gy and..."

@roblem
Thanks for your insights, I find my dry mouth symptoms getting better (either that or I’m adapting to it).
I’m only two months post radiation so it’s still early in my recovery phase. Everything else is better, energy levels still a bit lower than I’d like but again it’s early in recovery.