Mouth Sores from chemo: When do they go away?

I have been getting them with each treatment. They last for a week and start to get better and then come right back with next treatment. The baking soda and salt water soothes a little but not a lot. They have a numbing rinse but sounds like you are using that already. I haven’t tried it yet. I have a bad gagging reflex. I lose about 10lbs my first week following treatment and gain some back the second week after I can eat more regularly. Do you also get thrush? I get that too in my mouth so I brush constantly and keep off spicy foods.

I ingested honey during my treatment and found it to be helpful. Manuka honey is especially powerful, but it is expensive. Try a teaspoon a day (or maybe half teaspoon twice a day) and leave it in your mouth for a bit.

Best wishes,
Cindy

Had severe mucositis mouth and nose bleeding terrible weeks - took lidocaine gel a mixture pharmacist made called magic swizzle rinse and spit plus use soft pics and soft toothbrush- lasts awhile afterwards- hooe it works for you

@walkingmom I’m so sorry to let you know they don’t go away until you stop treatment 🥺 A main effect of Folfiri (which helped get me to NED) is ulcers and other mouth sores, and I got them. I was lucky that salt water gargles were enough for me. I kept it up once I got on top of them the first time to stop them coming back. I was lucky. I also avoided anything spicy or citrus that would irritate them once I had them and my freezer was full of fruit (mango and banana) icy poles! Hydration and soothing in one stick 😊

Mouth sores stay awhile longer even after done with chemo several weeks

I finished the treatment over a year ago,, I used a mouth wash and gargled with warm salt water to help with the sores, Not sure how long after treatment they stopped.

A little side track but, during the treatment I developed pimples on my face. Sometimes was told it's chemo rash, well, I finished treatment over a year ago and I still have pimples on my face. Good grief, 70 years old and have pimples, lol.. Best to all.

My husband is also having a terrible time with mouth.

I saw where L glutamine is good to take for mouth also.

Welcome to Connect, @ddawkins. I’m sorry to hear your husband is having mouth sores while undergoing chemo. Been there myself…when your mouth hurts, I swear everything hurts! Relief options can be hit and miss but there are several great suggestions in this discussion. So I hope your husband finds some relief soon. The mouth sores are generally temporary until the white blood count starts climbing after treatment. Has he lost his sense of taste?

If you don’t mind sharing a little more about his diagnosis, I’d be happy to connect you with other members who might be walking down that same road. It can be so helpful to have a support network with people who understand what you and your husband are going through.
What form of cancer does your husband have? Is he receiving monthly chemo?

I am sure this doesn’t help, but the magic mouthwash works fit me in 2-3 days.