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Saliva and dry mouth: Head and neck cancer and treatments
Many of us have this problem. Three years after RT and lots of talks by oncologists at our meetings and I'm still learning new details about this side effect. Some people have no saliva for life because their glands have been wrecked by the treatment, some recover some function as late as 2 years after (is that right?). Most people though have to manage a more or less dry mouth with constant to frequent sips of water or gels and sprays.< r />Even worse is what lack of saliva does to your teeth. I've learnt that normal saliva is continually building up the teeth and that without it we are in danger of rampant dental decay without extra fluoride treatment or heroic effects to keep out mouth acid neutral.< r />How do other manage this problem? What tips do you have?
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@wgatap21
Hello,
There are medications that can make you hyper salivate, the seizure medication Klonopin is one of them although we can also make your mouth dry as well. My experience with Klonopin Was when I first started taking it it made my mouth dry but as the doctor is increased my dose to nearly the max dose I started to salivate more. After approximately 40 years I don’t remember if it had an unusual taste or not. If I remember correctly I believe it was worse at night.
Drinking lots of water can help reduce excess saliva production as can good oral hygiene.
My dad took Elavil to reduce his saliva production.
Good luck,
Jake
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1 Reaction@wgatap21 how is your saliva production now?
Sorry to hear your outcome. I have never had cancer or treatment of serious sort. Just take my medications. But something is off with my salivary
glands! Probably in the wrong forum! Thanks and God Bless.
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1 ReactionNot sure I am in the right discussion, but as of a few months ago, my mouth has continuously seemed way too dry! Then after the process began, it seems like it goes both ways! I seem to produce too much saliva now and the taste is somewhat funny. That said I have researched a bit and found that certain medications can dryness, but does not mention creating too much salvia! I know I take take a couple of them and told my Dr. He dismissed it because of the meds. The overactive gland(?) produces more saliva 80% of the time, while 20% of the time it is the dryness. Nothing hurts but it is obviously annoying. Also, NONE of the meds are new to my system. I had been taking them way before this started!! So no changes in that category. I am in good health etc. and no operations or serious conditions in the past. Very weird. Any thoughts?? Thanks
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2 ReactionsI have found that my general state of hydration makes a big difference in the dryness in my mouth. I had 1 parotid salivary gland removed and radiation primarily to ear but of course mouth was affected. It is harder to stay hydrated in winter, but drinking lots of water, and using an ultrasonic nebulizer at night in your bedroom will help fight the dryness and it helps with a more comfortable mouth.
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2 ReactionsBefore my treatments started during the education that my awesome Radiation Oncologist giving me he told me up front. “Steve we will be destroying your right Salivary Gland because with your Radiation Treatments in that area there is no way to avoid doing so.”
They had determined that due to the location of the tumor of my tongue I was not a candidate for surgery.
He did tell me that my Salivary Gland onnthe left would be minimally functioning.
So now I use biotine spray several times a day along with Supraglotic swallowing technique with water several times a day to avoid aspiration.
I gladly take the trade off for life.
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3 ReactionsPraying for your family. Miracles happen. I am one of them. Hang in.
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2 ReactionsSad to say , he is losing this battle after all this time but the jack Daniels suits his needs well
He just tried it by chance and it is very effective. He will never be able to swallow and the works wonders to help get rid of mucus
Sounds like nothing works clearly and definitively. I find the Oral 7 gel helpful during the day and on long walks.