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Any tips to manage excessive phlegm from throat cancer radiation?

Posted by aidab @aidab, Jun 24 10:12am

My husband is undergoing treatment for HPV P-16 throat cancer and is into his 3rd week of chemo and radiation and is now experiencing excessive phlegm from the radiation. Any suggestions on how to manage this?

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gareee314 | @gareee314 | Jun 27 5:00pm
In reply to @hrhwilliam "@gareee314 Perhaps someone here has some idea what is going on with you. Most of us..." + (show)
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@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.

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@hrhwilliam You mean biopsy?

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William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Jun 28 7:23am
In reply to @gareee314 "@hrhwilliam You mean biopsy?" + (show)
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@hrhwilliam You mean biopsy?

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@gareee314 I mean autopsy. That’s the last way a doctor wants to find out what is wrong with the patient. In other words, don’t wait until I die to find out what was wrong with me.

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gareee314 | @gareee314 | Jun 28 7:58am
In reply to @hrhwilliam "@gareee314 I mean autopsy. That’s the last way a doctor wants to find out what is..." + (show)
Profile picture for William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor @hrhwilliam

@gareee314 I mean autopsy. That’s the last way a doctor wants to find out what is wrong with the patient. In other words, don’t wait until I die to find out what was wrong with me.

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@hrhwilliam I don't want an autopsy while I'm alive..That's usually done while you are dead.

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kmlnj | @kmlnj | Jun 29 8:10am

To manage the mucus I carried spit bags with me. I spit it out. You can buy them from Amazon, or get from your doctor.
My doctor also suggested Mucinex. But I haven't tried that yet. The mucus is part of recovery. It will continue for a long time.

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newly | @newly | Jul 2 6:03am
In reply to @calenbd "I had the same diagnosis as your husband 2 years ago, with the same treatment. I..." + (show)
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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.

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@calenbd
Had surgery 1990 radiation etc. now 30 yrs later I cannot swallow anything even water muscles in mouth have atrophied won’t work phlegm is still horrible have to go in my mouth with washcloth and dig it out suction won’t work it’s deep down by my vocal cords. Tried every phlegm thinner drs recommend nothing works have to go clean throat about 3 times an hour. I’m 81. Guess I lived longer than they expected.

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