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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Baclofen 10 mg 2-3 times per day.
Thank you
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1 ReactionMy husband had squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and was treated in 2000. He also had a radical neck dissection since the cancer spread into the lymph node. So many long term effects to list, but he has also been dealing with the excess saliva/mucus for years now. His voice is compromised and most people have a hard time understanding him and he is now on a feeding tube and has been nearly 2 years. He did have hyperbaric oxygen therapy several years ago for another issue, but that didn't help with the saliva issue at all. Meds did not help for saliva either. I am constantly looking for new treatments.
I have the mucus and excess saliva but it is from my SCC in oral cavity and tissue in May 2024. It does hamper speech and swallowing along witThish my obturator which does not fit right. I cannot help you, but it helped me to write this. I need a lot of help on my issue
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2 ReactionsIt is the radiation causing these issues. I take mucinex 600 mg twice a day. It does help some. Excess saliva is an issue too. Since swallowing is hampered, I am always wiping the corners of my mouth.
@vvlaraia I have that exact same problem. I'm currently doing myofacial massage to loosen up the stiffness in my neck with the hope that it would help with swallowing a bit. I have been on a feeding tube since my surgery in May of 2024 . The only thing I can swallow is ice cream and chocolate because I can let it melt in my mouth. I did purchase a red light neck harness and use it for 30 min every day. Not sure if all this will help me or not. I have only gotten 3 massages so far it has loosened my neck up already a tiny little bit but it's going to take a lot more work. In the meantime I should buy stock in the paper towel industry because I don't go nowhere without paper towels because I will slobber all over myself otherwise. I go to bed at night with it draped around my neck because I drool.
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1 Reaction@niml Kleenex is my best friend but paper towel is second. I had right maxillary SCC surgery in May of 2024. I had an obturator placed in roof of my mouth to cover the hole in the palate. Prevents aspiration. However, radiation after surgery has caused swallowing issues and because of it not fitting properly, Liquids and food get underneath it and come out my right nostril.
So the phlegm and saliva are always an issue when eating or drinking. I have had months of speech and swallowing therapy and exercises to do daily but I cant seem to get them done daily.
All this has certainly changed lifestyle. I don't have a feeding tube and did not ever have one. It seems like issues with food get worse but in two weeks I go to UofM and see the dentist and NP.
The obturator is supposed to be adjusted and the zygomatic implant restored. (don't know what is going to be changed but my speech bothers me. It is not me. Eating is getting more limited. However, I am alive.
@roxanne43 Yes we are alive and I'm grateful to still be here. Sending you a big hug from Ohio
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1 Reaction@niml I am just thankful this did not happen when I was 60 instead of 80
I was 59 at my first diagnosis.