saliva

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hi everyone me again,

post 6 weeks treatment now and just started introducing bits of food through the mouth ,that is still trial and error ( more error really)

main nutrition still through RIG.

I have no 'normal' saliva but a really thick version of it which takes a while to come out , in fact it doesn't arrive until i've already swallowed my morsel with water!!

this thick saliva feels more like mucus but i'm sure its not. how do you know if it is saliva and if it will become its runny juicy self again, or have my saliva glands gone to the tip yard.?

or is it i have a saliva gland that works but needs more recovery to rid the thick stuff?

i hope you can understand what i mean and give me some hope...

Mark

ps ive tried xzylimelts they work eventually and bring the really thick saliva?

  • 20 months on from the end of treatment and my saliva has recovered somewhat, improving monthly, still struggling with a dry mouth at night, water bottle is still my constant companion, oncology seem to be happy with my progress....

    I go for a chippy every couple of weeks....used to be two cans of pop to help it down.... only need one now... saliva is more in evidence 

    Peter 

  • Hi   

    A little science lesson. 
    Your salivary glands are made up of water glands and mucous glands The submandibular glands produce background saliva which is largely water. They are knackered which is why we get a dry mouth. The parotids under your ears produce more mucous in response to eating. One is often destroyed but the oncologists usually try to leave one safe. There are lots of minor salivary glands dotted  around all over the place. Most of the water secretion of these is impacted at first leaving most if them producing just mucous which is why after RT you get a sticky mouth. 
    The good news is these recover and the mucous disappears. It’s just time. 

    Dani 

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

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • ps ive tried xzylimelts they work eventually and bring the really thick saliva?

    Chewing gum is better. Xylimelts are good for keeping your mouth moist once the mucous goes 

    Dani 

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

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Hi Dani gave a really great explanation. We’ve been where you are and I never thought my mouth would feel like normalish again  but I’m sat here typing with saliva almost as much as before. Nighttime still need 1/2 an xyimelts j can live with that. Everyone’s saliva slows down during sleep ours is affected more than most hence night time dryness. You’ll get there just takes time. Try carry small spray bottle to refresh your mouth during day as too much water washes what we’ve got away. 
    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

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Hi Mark , my hubby had this and he said are you talking about wall paper paste in your mouth. He uses cold and flu capsules to reduce mucus in nasal passage and throat because when the 2 combine hes says its wall paper paste. Carlsberg advances this progress Joy do you remember the brown bottle pre treatment pain killer this stops this in 20 minutes. Post radio therapy 16 months now and he doesnt have dry mouth but over salviates. Your all different and he wont give up the brown bottle. Thanks Dani for that explanation as my hubby has been struggling with this and thats the only issue he has. You guys are just amazing. Wishing you all the best Mark xx

  • Hi Brigetb

    Thanks for reply ,wish I knew what brown bottle you were referring to?! Ha ha 

    Mark

  • Wow that was a lesson!! Thank you Dani! X

  • The oramorph lol. Wishing you all the best x

  • Was never offered oramorph ,feel I'm missing out!

  • I was advised to use it for pain control and to aid eating.....withdrawal issues can surface....mine were manageable...Oramorph aided my recovery