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Hypopharyngeal cancer -management of saliva and mucus at night

Posted by max102 @max102, 3 days ago

My dear friend has been diagnosed with hypo pharyngeal cancer, and is in preparation for chemo radiation.
She has been struggling to manage her saliva and mucus especially at night. She has to clear her throat every 15-20 minutes. She is unable sleep on her back - that is when the situation is the worst.
We would appreciate any suggestion as to how to help her sleep - head elevation/position? Type/brand of pillow? Any suggestion and experience would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Jody aka mojo244 | @mojo244 | 2 days ago

Sorry about your friends cancer. I’m not sure if you mean she has allot of saliva and mucus?
Radiation will definitely reduce her saliva and the mucus unfortunately will get very thick.
There are prescriptions that can aid in generating saliva and also Xylitol may help and can be purchased on Amazon.
Mucinex is said to help mucus however it doesn’t work for me.
A humidifier next to her bed might help with her mucus problem.
I’m nearly 9 years out from stage IV treatment and still have little to no saliva and still have a mucus problem.
I use warm water to loosen the mucus and then hack it up and out.
I brush my teeth and do the warm water hack a few times throughout the day and before bed and immediately when I wake up in the morning.
We also have a split king bed with power adjustment so I can keep my head elevated which helps me with acid reflux and choking on mucus. As far as pillows, I’ve in search for 9 years and still searching!?
Wishing her all the best and fight the good fight!
Jody

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max102 | @max102 | 2 days ago

Thank you very much for your response. There is no substitution for a personal experience, and I thank you for sharing it. I found your input very helpful.
Yes, she has a lot of saliva and mucus to deal with. We have ordered an adjustable hight pillow; hoping that will allow her to rest better. Of, course, we are eagerly awaiting the start of her treatment.
Thank you again, and wishing you nothing but the best.

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pfitziern | @pfitziern | 2 days ago

My SLP told me to gargle with water every time I felt the urge to cough the mucus up. This greatly slows the production of the mucus. Coughing up the mucus increases production. Sometimes you just need to cough it out and that ok it your airway but I found it to work great for me. Also, I boil water, turn off heat and stand over to breathe the moist heat and this breaks up the mucus.
I bought an adjustable bed frame on amazon for about $400. Ive had it for several years its awesome head/neck treatment.
Ur friend should get herself in with a gastroenterologist and an SLP (be an established patient) bcuz when you need them you dont want to wait months to get in. I would not have made it without my SLP (no joke). I have convinced her to do over the phone consults (yes shes that awesome) for people that live out of the Massachusetts area. (I drive from Connecticut). Her name is Erica Bell 413-300-2193.

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max102 | @max102 | 2 days ago
In reply to @pfitziern "My SLP told me to gargle with water every time I felt the urge to cough..." + (show)
Profile picture for pfitziern @pfitziern

My SLP told me to gargle with water every time I felt the urge to cough the mucus up. This greatly slows the production of the mucus. Coughing up the mucus increases production. Sometimes you just need to cough it out and that ok it your airway but I found it to work great for me. Also, I boil water, turn off heat and stand over to breathe the moist heat and this breaks up the mucus.
I bought an adjustable bed frame on amazon for about $400. Ive had it for several years its awesome head/neck treatment.
Ur friend should get herself in with a gastroenterologist and an SLP (be an established patient) bcuz when you need them you dont want to wait months to get in. I would not have made it without my SLP (no joke). I have convinced her to do over the phone consults (yes shes that awesome) for people that live out of the Massachusetts area. (I drive from Connecticut). Her name is Erica Bell 413-300-2193.

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@pfitziern

Thank you very much, pfitziern!
Very good suggestions.

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