Phlegm and Saliva filling in the mouth after tongue sarcoma
My husband had a sarcoma of the tongue and throat He was diagnosed in 10/20 and has been cured by radiation and immunotherapy. Now his mouth fills with mucus in great Quantities preventing him from being able to swallow food and also affects his speech. He has been on a feeding tube for over a year. The doctors do not know how to stop the flow. Next step to try is hyperbaric. Any one out there that has success with dealing with this problem.
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wretired2000, Hello. Have you ever researched "Red Light Therapy?" The wands are very inexpensive...The red light is purported to really help with radiated tissue problems. Please research this option.
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2 ReactionsNow he has had 35 treatments HBO with no success. Snyone out there have u had success and with how many treatments. Feeling desperate because of the mucus he is still on the feeding tube , nothing by mouth and his speech is terrible
Following up - my Husband has had 35 hyperbaric treatments without success and is thinking of stopping the treatment. I remember reading on this site or maybe another topic that someone had success stopping the flow of these fluids with hyperbaric treatment and I wanted to know how many treatments they had I am hoping for an answer.
He did not have surgery. The doctors at Dana Farber said it was too dangerous. Radiation and immunotherapy was the treatment. He is now in remission but still has the feeding tube and his mouth filling withe saliva and mucus. He is undergoing the bariatric machine treatment.
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1 ReactionThe water pick did not help. He continues to fill up with saliva and mucus. He saw the pulmonologists today and has been cleared to start the HBO treatment.
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1 ReactionI had my last chemo treatment 4 months ago. I had lymphoma in my mouth. As a result, I can't swallow, move my tongue, or open my mouth. The water pick helps loosen saliva that forms a thick mucus like substance in my mouth.
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1 Reaction@wretired2000, will your husband try hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)?
@nbkod7b, how long has it been since you completed treatment? How does the water pick help you?
I am interested in knowing if he finds a solution. I too have been on a feeding tube as I can't swallow or open my mouth without tongue depressors. I have been through radiation and chemo and have excessive mucus. I use a water pick to help clear from my mouth.
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2 ReactionsThanks for your response. He has tried Sprite mixed with water to be helpful.
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2 ReactionsHello @wretired2000
Sorry your husband is having this distressing problem. I know a lot of head and neck cancer patients and I assumed the thick mucous stopped after the immediate radiation side effects wore off. Most of us are left with a dry mouth. Funnily enough, however, since my last surgery when I had implants, I have been experiencing alternatively a dry mouth and at times a thickened saliva. It's horrible. Soda water, sparkling water, ginger beer can help but are not good for the teeth. They sort of cut through the slime. Some moisturizing products like Oral 7 and Biotene can make the thick mucous/saliva a bit thinner.
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