Hello all,
im asking on behalf of my mum who has recently completed treatment for base of tongue cancer, intense radio therapy and one chemo, that has left her saliva glands not existent and an extremely dry mouth making it very very difficult to eat.
she has had 4 acupuncture treatments to try and help increase saliva, but doesn’t feel it’s working very well for her. Does anyone have any advice on perhaps how many treatments she might need? Or does anyone have any success stories getting saliva back please?
many thanks
Amy
I had good results
It has to be the right type. Where is her practitioner placing her needles?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
im asking on behalf of my mum who has recently completed treatment for base of tongue cancer
How many weeks out of treatment is she?
The CRT usually spares one parotid gland but it does take some weeks to get going properly.
There are minor salivary glands dotted about all over the mouth and throat and these tend to do pretty well in time. Can your mum chew gum? This helps a lot.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I must say I had a flow of saliva after just one treatment
It doesn't work for everybody so perhaps if there is no noticeable effect after four treatments it might be better to abandon it
There is a trial involving gene therapy going at this moment at UCLH
As far as I can gather it is recruiting patients with severe xerostomia. Most of us here who have passed through the forum probably wouldn't qualify but your mum might if both sides of her neck received a full dose of RT
Click the link below
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi I had one a week for around 6 months I did notice a difference after one treatment. But I still have dry mouth 6 years on no where near as bad as the start I still use sugar free gum and xyimelts at night. You need auricular acupuncture it doesn’t work for everyone but has good results. I had 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo I’m living a good life it’s early days for yiu mum improvements happen for several years. In fact i am still gettu)ng tiny ones even now without realising it some days .
Hazel x
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
2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers
.The acupuncturist put the needles in mums ears,face and feet and fingers.
That’s what she had. Auricular refers to ears.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
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