Excessive Mucus with Esophageal Cancer

Yes, I have the same problem. I see this is an old post. How are you now?

"This is not medical advice, I am not a doctor".
When I had mucus after eating. I was treated for acid reflux with omeprazole. I also started drinking turmeric tea with sugar in it. My symptoms cleared up.
I still avoid food, like bread, that I think might cause a problem.

Hi Colleen,
I started chemo this past Wednesday. I had a couple of surprises. One of the medications causes sensitivity to cold things. I think it has platinum in it, but I am not sure. I am sure you are aware of it. The other surprise is the take-home pump. Not a big fan of it, but I can make do with it ok.
The lab test shows that my cancer does not have the marker they are looking for immune only. As it turns out the immune shots are out of my financial range. $1400 per shot due to my out-of-pocket. Maybe later this year, I have to talk to my doctor about this. As treatment progresses, my out-of-pocket decreases to where I should be able to afford the treatment.
Side effects of chemo so far have been minimal. I just hope it works. I have a honking big tumor in my liver. My blood work looks good; no pain. So far so good.
The dietician thinks I am on the right track. She had a few suggestions to help. Carnation Breakfast essentials for example. We are going to watch my weight. I have told them no feeding tube. I am 5'10" and weigh 165lbs so I think I have a little wiggle room. I just have to remember to eat.

My husband has pretty much the same experience you do. Diagnosed about a year and a half ago. Went through Chemo (obtivo ) for about a year on and off and also with immunotherapy. A few months ago Radiation for a month every day. Cancer had spread to the right adrenal gland and underwent radiation for that as well for 5 treatments every other day. From the very beginning, heavy mucus would occur very soon after beginning to eat a meal. Quite random though, you never knew when the food would go down or not. Once it begins even to this day, he cannot get anything down including water! Sometimes if he's eating a sandwich, the bread seems to be the culprit. Just eating the contents will sometimes be okay but other times not that either. Nothing seems to work to change that. After a couple of hours and trying to cough it all up, he can finally eat something. It's extremely frustrating for him and for me to watch this take place. The oncologist just gave him a prescription for Naseau which of course is not the issue and does not help with phlegm. I offer one possible solution recommended to me by an older ENT. My husband will not use it because he doesn't think it will help. Perhaps you will be interested in trying it. I use it myself to help with my COPD. Alkalol, is sold at most drug stores and Amazon. It's a nasal wash, a mucus solvent. Use it in a netti pot or nasal douche, or gargle with equal parts Alkalol & hot water which will just warm it to gargle. Miracle in a bottle. It's excellent for a post-nasal drip and will loosen anything at the back of your throat. I hope this can offer you some relief. This link will explain more: Info@alkalolcompany.com

You sound like you're taking this in stride. Did you learn whether you'll be getting chemo or immunotherapy or both? How did the meeting with the dietitian go?

Hello Colleen, I am doing well considering I have had bad news.
After having a PET-CT . They found tumors in my liver.
Therefore, there will be no surgery. I start either or both
chemo or immune therapy in two weeks. The next step is to get a port on my chest. So far, I have had no pain.
My oncologist is concerned that I want treatment without a feeding tube, but I think I can handle any possible weight loss. I have a meeting with their staff dietitian today. We are moving fast to start treatment.
Hopefully, we can shrink the tumors.

@tprincejr, how are you doing? Have you started chemo and radiation?

Having eating problems with my esophageal cancer, I started drinking protein drinks to reach at least 60 grams daily. I started eating ICE cream. Some even with
a high-fat content. Drinking lots of milk. Instant coffee with fat and carbohydrates. I also drink turmeric tea and take supplements of turmeric. Things have gotten better. I have been able to eat lightly battered fish from Capt D. I can eat tacos now from Taco Bell. I just stay away from very solid foods like beef. I came to realize that the tumor in my throat was causing a gag reflex causing me to throw up and salivate. I am on the verge of chemo and radiation followed by min-invasive surgery. I hope this helps

May I ask what you mean by suction? I have often wished I could use a vaccum cleaner to remove the mucus.

So sorry to hear about everybody with this illness, where exactly dues he fell the mucus? And how long did he have barrets esophagus? I've been diagnosed with that barrets esophagus, I kinda feel mucus in my throat, not too bad but uncomfortable,.