1st session done!

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Hi everyone - I’ve just started the 6 week RT today and been given Difflam mouthwash and lots of saline solution to use each day. I’d read about people using bicarbonate and salt solution, is it useful to do all three or is that too much?? 

regards

Jane

  • Hi Jane 

    Well done

    Use whatever works for you, run it by radio team first just for peace of mind....keep the forum updated with your progress.....ask any question 24/7 always someone about

    Peter

  • Hi The  saline solution is salt and water that’s what I was given at Leeds it was only later in treatment I made my own by adding some bi carb. Good luck I didn’t have many changes the first week hopefully you are   the same. 
    Keep us updated as you go  

    Hazel 

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

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  • I never had any prescription drugs for my mouth during CRT,  just used a homemade solution of salt and bicarb.  That worked really well for me.

    Peter
    See my profile for more details of my convoluted journey
  • Hi

    It's a question of trying what suits. I had Difflam and used it religiously. It's an NSAID and has some analgesic as well as anti inflammatory properties. It kept my mouth pretty clean too. I did try salt washes and salt bicarbonate but can't say what effect they had...if any. The mix is not crucial. You will likely find different proportions. I used to make each wash up fresh, half a cup of water with a four finger pinch of each. Some people swear by measuring quantities out 

    I had Caphosol too. It's action is similar in effect to Difflam but consensus now is that if you are using it use it before your mouth starts getting bad.

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

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  • I didn’t use Difflam until quite late on - in fact I didn’t use anything analgesic for the first two or three weeks. That said, oral hygiene is incredibly important so good brushing, including interdental, is a really good idea. The salt and bicarbonate of soda is mildly disinfectant and therefore good for keeping your mouth fresh and clean too. I still use it now and again 4 years after treatment ended. Good luck with your treatment Thumbsup

  • I was using salt/bicarb after every meal, until I was given caphosol, then I started using that.. and I used a lot of caphosol.. oral hygiene is a must.

    Loz (61)

    Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive..