Mouth sores

I got mouth sores from docetaxel, though no ulcers. You can gargle with salt water. I had sores on my tongue as well. My oncologist recommended a non-alcoholic mouth wash to use, and I did that for a while. Not sure they heal any faster, but they do soothe things a bit.

I had a really sore mouth on EC  but not the Docetaxol. I was given Difflam sore mouth mouthwash by oncology and advised to gargle with it then rinse my mouth which did help. You can also get it on prescription or to buy at the pharmacy However the soreness only lasted for about 10/12 days - until next round of chemo. Throughout both EC  and Docetaxol I had very sore corners to my mouth - sudacream was great!! 
Good luck.

Hello Gezelda, Several months ago I had a sore mouth, and the corners of my mouth were also sore, and this turned out to be caused by oral thrush which is apparently quite common whilst on chemo. Look out for any white patches on your tongue or the roof of your mouth or cracks in the corner of your mouth. The thrush was cleared with a course of anti-biotics and after discussing with oncology I was prescribed difflam mouthwash (Benzydamine Hydrochloride) and now get given 2 bottles every time I go to my chemo. The GP also prescribed difflam spray and I haven't suffered from any mouth problems since using the difflam mouthwash/spray.  As previously mentioned, difflam is available from the pharmacy but isn't particularly cheap so much better to get it via your hospital team/GP if you can. 

Hi Grizelda

sorry to hear about your mouth ulcers etc. As already mentioned you could have a fungal infection, especially as you are on antibiotics too.
Difflam is good for mucosal pain, but you would likely need something in addition if is is thrush. Best get looked at by onc nurse or your dentist. 

I was advised to used Holland and Barrat tea tree oil mouthwash throughout chemo. I started using before starting on EC & Docetaxel and continued every day, morning and night. I did not have the slightest oral problem.

Also, a bit pricey if not on offer, but I didn’t use a whole lot at a time, just a small sip which I swished around and held in my mouth for as long as possible before spitting out. That way I got the good of it and a bottle lasted for ages.  It was recommended by a friend who used to work in palliative oral care and it seemed to do the trick for me. My onc team were always asking me if I had any mouth ulcers or bleeding gums etc and always seemed surprised when I told them no. 

Best get your mouth examined. 
Good luck

WallyDug

Thank you Beatthebreast,  I phone the Macmillan helpline this morning and my neighbour got me loads of recommended mouthwash, paracetamol and aspirin to gargle with.  It has relieved the pain.

Thank you Lizjon,

Can you all see my reply to Beatthebreast as I'm not sure if I can copy and paste? 

Basically I'm sorted for now with the help of The Marsden Hotline and my sweet neighbour who went out and bought loads of paracetamol, mouthwash and aspirin so I'll have enough for the other chemo sessions,  although I hope I don't get it again.

Thank you Wallydug,

Sorted.

Is a headache also a side effect of the EC Chemo?

Thank you Lalalou

Sorted.

Hi Gezelda

Sorry to say, yes, headache was part of the side-effects. If paracetamol / ibuprofen doesn't work for you, tell your care team and ask for better support meds. I got a terrible migraine type head with the first EC and I don't usually get migraines. I told my onc before the 2nd dose and he wrote me up for Aprepitant tab an hour before EC. This completely transformed the experience for me. However, compared to other things it seems to be expensive. Each time before they gave it the nurses would tell me that is was £100 per tab. They are obviously drilled not to give this unless people really need it.

My view is, if we need it, we need it. So do ask, as this is available. The better the experience, the more likely we are to go back for more and get through to the end of treatment.

Wishing you all the best.

WallyDug

Hi 

I got something from the hospital called Gelclair it’s brilliant I had a mouth full of ulcers and it cleared them up you can’t buy it over the counter and apparently it’s quite expensive but I got my doc to prescribe me first lot and then the hospital gave me boxes at my next appointment. Good luck it’s horrible I could hardly eat was managing with tepid soup xx