Mucusitis and a very, very sore throat

I have no really good suggestions other that to say that you aren't alone with this experience. I went through a similar things in the early weeks but eventually coped. For me, I had to try and distract myself and calm my mind and throat so as to avoid the coughing. It was hard at the start but, a bit like the mask, I devised a way of thinking about it that I could switch on easily after a while. Water helped as a distraction, both still and sparkling. I was told by a nurse that drinking lots would "thin down the mucus" but I never experienced that no matter how much I drank. I'm 11 months post treatment and it's now a lot easier - not 100% back to normal but getting closer every week that passes. I know the above sounds a bit airy-fairy but it helped me. All the best, Paul

I finished my treatment 1 April 25 and the weeks after the mucus was so bad.I lost my voice ,couldn't Swallow at all and had to rely on nutrition drinks through.I my PEG.Now into August and haven't used my PEG for 3weeks now.The mucus lasted around 3 weeks .It will get better and you will eventually be able to drink.I had some really bad days but take each day at a time .

I was seen by a kind and interested radiation oncology registrar yesterday and she prescribed Oxy.  She was really helpful and checked with the immuno onconolgist's pharmacist for interactions with Keytruda which were determined to be minimal and acceptable.  By the time I got back home with the script fulfilled my pain had gone off the scale but within 30 mins of taking the Oxy I could swallow again without pain..... what a relief.  This has been dragging on for weeks with the pain in my throat getting worse and worse.  I also seem to be coughing a lot less now as well and the coughing I do is not convulsive and unproductive.  I think the pain in my throat was causing me to 'flinch' and not swallow properly leading to a bit of leakage into my lungs and of course more coughing.  Anyway, early days yet but so far the Oxy has made a huge difference to my throat pain, the amount and type of coughing I do and the speed at which I can consume sustenance.