When, oh when, oh whenowhenowhenowhen does the mucous stop??

Poor Louisa. 
it really is just a question of spitting it out. But the more you drink the less you will have. I know you can’t drink but once you do get drinking you’ll be surprised how quickly it goes. I never had Carbocisteine, just a paper bag of tissues and spit that went everywhere with me but by a few weeks after RT the thick stringy stuff just went. 
Sorry I know that’s a hopeless reply. 
I hope you get some respite and feel better soon. 

Hi Louisa, sorry to hear that this isn’t getting better, Having been through it myself I can only empathise.  Mine started to clear up 5 weeks after RT finished only to be replaced by razor throat.  As mentioned before I got through treatment without using a tube but have now graduated to mouth ulcers and sores on the roof of my mouth and top of throat that has made eating more painful than ever before. Very little lubrication so drinking loads of water with any food. Trying to get them looked at is impossible and have had to send selfies of the roof of my mouth.  Have been assured this is not unusual but still it is debilitating in its own way. I really hope that you get some relief but it is very frustrating that we can’t get the face to face consult or assurances that we would in normal times.  Wishing you all the best and some relief as soon as possible.

Martyn

Hi Louisa,

I totally understand where you are coming from, mucus was my biggest issue during and after treatment, constantly gagging, retching and vomiting, I couldn’t keep any food down and then obviously the vomiting aggravates an already extremely sore throat. It did start to improve for me around six weeks after treatment finished, but it was probably closer to  twelve weeks before there was a really significant improvement. The first thing I managed to eat was really milky ready brek. I still can’t eat yoghurts now they just seem to stick in my mouth lol. Now nine months post treatment my biggest issue is the dry mouth, so many things I still can’t eat. But in the last month I have managed to eat a steak with some pepper sauce on so things are looking up. 

it does get better x

Thank you, Dani,

In response to your message, I have increased my morphine by 50% and managed to drink a glass of blackcurrant squash, a mug of tea and a coffee!

Each drink seems to push an equal amount of mucus back up, but I feel a tremendous amount of achievement!

Thank you for cheering me on.

Louisa

Thank you, Kay, it helps to have your empathy.

Looks like I’m heading for the twelve weeks of mucus. I’m so sorry it took that long for yours to go. I tried yogurt and it seemed to attach itself to the mucus, creating a sort of thick yogurt gloop that was very difficult to spit out — no way could I swallow it, or want to, for that matter.

Excited to read you’ve eaten steak, though! 

Best wishes,

Louisa

Hi, Martyn,

Yes, the clinicians said when the mucus goes I am going to have a very dry throat to cope with.

I’m sorry you have these sores. I am sure people on here will have tips to help if you “start a discussion “? 

Yes, it is disconcerting to have follow up appointments by phone.

I hope the ulcers heal quickly.

Thank you for replying.

Louisa

sorry posted in wrong place 

Just checking in for anyone else with serious mucus despair: Week 9 post-radiation and a considerable reduction. I am still being woken a few times in the night to spit-puke, and using nebuliser for a good clear-out four times a day, but I am having longer periods in between when I am freer to try and use my mouth for drinking, and less likely to have to constantly have kitchen roll at the ready.

Onwards!

What good news. Baby steps. 

Good News  !! Lets hope it continues to improve  This process has taught me one week at a time and build upon the positives  

All the best 

Martyn