Morning all
My wife has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 SCLC and has had the 1st treatment of chemo and immunotherapy, one of the side effects is a sore mouth and throat but it is now preventing her from eating properly. is there anything that she can take or suck that will help.
Many thanks in advance
Hi angles,
Thank you for getting in touch with us over the weekend.
My name is Liz and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurse specialist on the Macmillan support line.
I’m sorry to hear that your wife is having problems eating due to her sore mouth and throat.
Firstly, I would advise you that she needs to contact her chemotherapy unit this morning, on the 24-hour telephone number they gave her, for an urgent assessment. If you don’t have this number, please contact 111 this morning for assessment and support.
When a patient has a sore mouth and throat which is stopping them eating, they sometimes need prescribed medication for a bacterial, viral or fungal infection which is why it is so important for her chemo team to be made aware of how she is, also she needs to be assessed for signs of dehydration and infection.
As you mentioned one of the possible side effects of both chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a sore mouth. Your wife’s oncologist may be able to prescribe specific mouthwash that might help her feel more comfortable and recommend that she takes painkillers as per packet instructions.
She may find that keeping her mouth and lips moist, rinsing it every 2 hours, using lip moisturizer, and drinking lukewarm liquids may help. She should continue to clean her teeth with a very soft toothbrush after each meal and at bedtime. Food and drink to avoid are things like orange juice, tomatoes, spicy, course or rough textured foods and liquids contacting alcohol.
It’s important that she continues to try and drink plenty of fluids, especially water. A mug size drink every hour during daylight hours is a good guide and we should all drink enough during the day so our urine(pee) is a light straw colour. Drinking through a straw sometimes helps with a sore mouth.
If we can help with anything else don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
Take care.
Liz
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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