Almost 6 weeks since last chemoradio combo. HH has the dreaded dry mouth, and so eating, talking and even swallowing is challenging...some days more than others. So, any ideas for things we can try, aside the obvious of sipping water...a LOT!!! and also, how long does this tend to last...really hoping its not for ever!!
Does chewing gum help?? And any tips for foods which might make it worse. So we avoid. Oddly he can manage soft meat, cheese, eggs but a baked potato drowned in butter and cheese is almost impossible, and he says after 2-3 mouthfuls, his mouth literally dries up 100% and he just can't go on eating.
Any words of wisdom gratefully received! and all things considered, HH is doing brilliantly! Off to see the oncologist for the frst time, post treatments, a week Thursday so hoping he thinks so too! No scans or anything, just a general once-over we think.
Hi Debbie.
Chewing gum helps a lot. It stimulates the surviving salivary glands. Salivary glands have two components. Water and mucous( plus enzymes) The largest producers of watery secretion are the submandibular gland under the chin. They are responsible for background saliva and are permanently trashed. Hence the dry mouth at rest. The parotids under the ear produce saliva in response to chewing food which is why chewing gum helps. The RT is usually planned so that at least one survives. The good news is that there are masses of little salivary glands dotted about inside the mouth and throat and many if these recover but take their time.
Acupuncrure helps many people but not all…. Be warned but with trying. There are two entries in my blog.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Oddly he can manage soft meat, cheese, eggs but a baked potato drowned in butter and cheese is almost impossible, and he says after 2-3 mouthfuls, his mouth literally dries up 100% and he just can't go on eating.
Potato is the worse thing. Give it a rest for a year. Sweet potato is much easier and you can roast/jacket those. Get him to try taking a tiny sip of a warm drink with each mouthful of food to act as a proxy saliva. It makes a real difference.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
No. It’s the texture of the potato grains. Our sensitive mouths pick up how grainy it is. I can eat potato now at a pinch but chips are impossible unless slathered in mayonnaise. Pasta is ok
It’s a similar thing with bread. Bread has little pores in it that suck up any saliva you have and you end up with a thick gluey unswallowable( sic) lump. Try toast which has had the pores stuck together and it’s a different animal.
Toasted tea cake with masses of butter is fab!
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
