Xylimelts

Hi Ann

I can highly recommend Xylimelts. They really helped me after radiotherapy especially at night. as my mouth was so dry. I could sleep through the whole of the night without needing a sip of water.  I found out about them from this forum as they were never recommended to me by my medical team. I used to stick one to my gum.  I think why some people do not like them is because initially it is a little bulky in your mouth but as it gradually dissolves it becomes smaller. Unfortunately I no longer have very little of my gums left after more ops so no longer have anything for the Xylimelt to stick to and I am a bit sad about that as they were so successful for me. I think in the U.K. you might have to order them through Amazon. Here in Australia I used to get them through the chemist.

Definitely get your husband to give them a try.

Lyn

Hi Ann. !6 years? Well done. If he had chemoradiation that long ago before the modern better targeted treatments the side effects must be more profound....so sorry. I'm four years post treatment and have a decent amount of saliva. I use one xylimelt at night. I started off with two at first.I know some people do use them through the day, particularly if they have to speak a lot.

Is your husbands problem lack of saliva or is it just that his mouth is uncomfortable and smelly? When my mouth feels horrid I use Bioxtra mouthwash which has fluoride and is made for dry mouths. I get that on prescription.

I have seen xylimelts at the pharmacy but they are cheaper online. It's worth having a look around for the best price which as far as I can see is from HOPE TO SLEEP They take the VAT off. I usually buy six months worth at a time but your husband could just try one pack from Amazon

Do get him to try them at least

Sophie66 said:

Unfortunately I no longer have very little of my gums left after more ops so no longer have anything for the Xylimelt to stick to and I am a bit sad about that as they were so successful for me.

Hi Lyn

Have you tried sticking them to your cheek? I have once or twice, half asleep after a bath, put them on the wrong way like that and couldn't be bothered to unstick them. They still stayed there all night till they dissolved

Hi. I use xylimelts after having discovered them on this forum. I would definitely recommend them. They take a few nights to get used to, but I can now sleep through the night without waking for water. Like Beesuit says try Bioxtra mouthwash - I get it on prescription. Also I chew sugar free gum in the day to relieve dryness, exercise my jaw & freshen my mouth. I find ACT gum the best - from the States, order via iherb. Sometimes a drink of Diet Coke helps with horrible mouth taste too. 

Blod said:

I find ACT gum the best - from the States,

You’ve mentioned that before. Thanks. I might try those having just run out of Peppersmith. I do t use much these days but it’s still handy for having a chew after meals before I can get my teeth brushed 

Hi.Yes, another excellent recommendation I saw on the forum a while ago.  I’ve just put in an order in for more. It works out cheapest to buy a few packs to get free delivery. They also have dry mouth lozenges which I’m going to try. 
I find other mint gum too harsh, this one is just right. Will also use the link you mention for xylimelts rather than Amazon. 

Thanks Dani, I'll give it a go. One of the other issues is that the inside of my mouth seems to break down really easily now so I have been using Biotene gel on my tongue whenever I wake up. It seems to work quite well and moistens up my mouth quite well without damaging the inside of my mouth. I think  having  radiotherapy twice has caused more damage as it was not such an issue with the first lot of radiotherapy.

Lyn

Hi Ann. I am 4.5 years post radiotherapy and chemo for tonsil cancer I have decent saliva dusing  the day but still use 1/2 an xyimelt at night ibcan  get through most if night without waking for sip of water although I still have a glass handy. Well done kn16 years niwdays we are much more targeted than you hubby would have been. Well done. 
Hazel xx

Hi Sophie.

Thank you for your reply. 

I will get Steve some and see how they go.

Unfortunately he is having so many issues at the moment due to the severity of treatment. 

Regards

Ann

HI Beesuit.

Yes it was  a very radical dose if radiotherapy along with Chemo.

It was just before targetted treatment came to be.  We couldn't wait for it as he cancer  at the time, due to his age, 42, was very aggressive.   It had also been missed.  But that's another story.

I will look and see if he can take them.

But yes he now has a whole host of issues due to treatment.  Eating only sloppy foods like fish in parsley sauce.l lots of gravy on other foods.  

He has a pasley  tongue.  And has suffered a huge amount of oral thrush a couple of years ago.

He is just waiting again for the results of a biopsy done last week.

After being discharged from original hospital , when he was 10 years post treatment. 

We are now back in University College Hospital and due his late side and affects and how Steve now feels about it all.  At least the  oncologist will now keep Steve on his books for as long g as needs be.

It's been a journey and will continue to be.  He will eventually have to be peg fed again.

Regards

Ann