Dry mouth and eating out

How long after RT are you?

I am 8 months and my mouth is still quite dry and my throat prickles.

I chew gum to keep my mouth moist. I was advised to sip water little and often but I find that just washes away what saliva I have.

At night I pop a xylimelt or two into my cheeks and that keeps my mouth comfortable 

As for eating I find that taking a tiny sip of water with the food I'm chewing helps it down, rather than chasing it down with a gulp of water.

Things have improved and I am able to eat most things if they are wet, even bread if it is wrapped round a salad or something like that.

When I eat out I have a pint of real ale which I really enjoy and can taste, no problem.

I hope things improve for you

Hi this is Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz I am 13 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer 35 radiotherapy sessions 2 chemo and yes dry mouth is still there for me it’s nit as bad as itbwas it really is a time thing. I too chew xylitol gum all the time use xyimelts at night time. I have a blog detailing my recovery and treatment www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com. I am also having acupuncture for dry mouth and am finding it is helping .ok I have to pay for this as n h s won’t provide it. 

Pare yiu in high calorie food supplements to help you maintain weight ie Ensure or fresubin ? 

Like beesuit I use water or warm herbal tea to help food on its way   P, I find most meats too hard again the hole isn’t as wide as it wasn’t plus my uvulva or dangly bit at back of throat melted due to radiotherapy so that doesn’t help either.

hope this helps 

Hazel 

Hi Beesuit, Im 7 years post radiotherapy and 3 1/2 years since my neck dissection, chewing gum did work for me up until the neck dissection left me with the left side of my face numb and half my tongue is also numb and i was biting my jaw and tongue to the extent it would bleed. I drink hot water when eating out and we stick to the same restaurants as they know the problems i have with choking and are very good where they seat me, i recon im looking for a quick fix for a problem that might never go away and i am very open to try new things and ideas that like minded people  are going through aswell, Thanks for your input and good luck on your cancer journey

                                                                                     Onwards & Upwards

Hi, no real solutions - 4 years on from treatment this is my husband's main eating issue. A couple of things which help him are - using chilli quite a lot in or on food (he even takes chilli oil with him sometimes) as this stimulates saliva; using lemon juice also to stimulate saliva, and asking restaurants if he can have a bottle of olive oil on the table (most are quite happy to oblige) as the oil can help tougher stuff to go down. I know not everyone can tolerate chilli after treatment, but he can and finds it very helpful.

Hi Alichapp and thanks for the tip with the olive oil, thats one iv'e never heard anyone trying so i will give it a try tonight, as for the chilli....ouch ouch its not for me. Iv's not eaten a steak for over 7 years so this might be a breakthrough for me if that is the case i will have a pint of guiness or a few  for your and your hubby's  hubby's help