Any tips to manage excessive phlegm from throat cancer radiation?

Hopefully his doctors can recommend something, it must be very uncomfortable for him . It's not easy for you either.

It is not the most ideal situation, but he is managing as well. I do hate to see him uncomfortable, trying to take it one day at a time. Thank you.

@aidab Hello and welcome to our group here on Connect.
Phlegm is the body’s reaction to protect the airway and throat in general. Swallow it down or spit it out are the options. I understand that limiting dairy reduces phlegm. Cool mist vaporizer helps as well which is what I used.
It isn’t forever, usually. Three weeks into treatment seems a bit early for a phlegm phest. This whole battle is difficult. It isn’t impossible, just difficult and likely the hardest illness a person will ever experience. It is truly a battle for life, so there is no quitting allowed. But I know firsthand and with most patients, this journey has a profound impact on one’s view of life for the better.
Go forward day by day with courage. The sun will come out in a couple of months. In the meantime, if there are questions, this is a great place where many eyes see and experience help is available.

William, thanks for the advice and your message of hope. We are grateful for support. I have thought of the vaporizer and limiting the type of food. He has always had a lot of phlegm, prior to treatment do it isn’t a surprise that it getting thicker sooner than later. Appreciate you taking the time. I am trying to get ahead of the symptoms because quitting is not an option. Take care

@aidab A family member started Proton radiation for HPV throat cancer near his vocal cords last January. His phlegm issues began around the 3rd week which surprised his medical team. He was gagging and vomiting regularly and it was explained that some people have a stronger gag reflex than others. He found that sparkling water, even flavored, cut through the mucous better than other fluids. He used the cool mist humidifier. With subsequent swallowing issues he ended up with a stomach tube due to weight loss, which he still relies on.
Others on this forum have expressed that same insight about sparkling water. Another suggestion has been a sports candy called Himalaya Salt Candy...Lemon flavor. I have tried that for dry mouth and it is quite refreshing but don't have the phlegm issue to see how it helps. It is available on Amazon.
Has your medical team recommended Mucinex to help thin the mucous? Others have felt that is helpful.

I had the same diagnosis as your husband 2 years ago, with the same treatment. I experienced the same symptoms with excess phlegm about 3 weeks in. It was a battle that was really tough. My heart goes out to your husband. Gargling with water and baking soda helped somewhat. Staying hydrated also helped. I will say there is light at the end of the tunnel. Tell him to hang in there. It won’t last forever, although there are times it may feel that way. I am now in total remission with no lingering side effects. I pray it is the same for your husband.

@hrhwilliam I had my last throat radiation about 4 1/2 years ago and still produce heavy mucus above my soft palate which hampers my swallowing..Been on a stomach(PEGtube) since then. Too thick to swallow the mucus. At times at 4 AM have to sit up with my head back and try to hock out the garbage. It only oozes down from above my palate very slowly and then I spit it out in a tissue Also my palate is blistered (puffy) which started about a year ago.

@gareee314 sorry to hear what you are experiencing. That doesn’t sound like normal recovery in any sense. What do your doctors say or do for you?

@hrhwilliam Seen 2 ENT's and surgeon..They are clueless..At first they thought I was allergic to something. My last CAT scan came back saying my right tonsil was "Full". Full of what? My left tonsil was removed when I had my throat surgery on 12/2021. That's where they said the cancer started. The tip of my soft palate had to be removed too along with 2 masses on the back of my tongue. HPV virus.

@gareee314 Perhaps someone here has some idea what is going on with you. Most of us are not medical practitioners but a few are.
When it comes to our healthcare, we are our own best advocates. We have to hound the profession sometimes and insist on referrals if we don’t get help. Often a large clinic can get to the bottom of the issue. A trick that works is to casually mention to the physician who has no idea, “Maybe the autopsy will give us a clue.” That usually gets the situation rolling.