Dry mouth

Hi Barbara. Dry mouth is par for the course I’m afraid. You should get something like Biotene gel on prescription from your GP.  Make sure you are still taking painkillers and try chewing sugar free xylitol gum. It comes in different flavours if mint is too strong. BioXtra dry mouth mouthwash is soothing and emollient and is available over the counter but again you should get it on prescription 

Bsrbara, there’s no shame in looking for antidepressants. They help massively so do please ask your GP

Hugs 

Dani’s absolutely right. I had antidepressants for a few months and it really helped. Also, I found the best way to combat dry mouth in the day was to chew gum. (I bought tubs of ‘Extra’ gum from the supermarket). I still use it 2 years on! At night I used a cheap humidifier which helped a bit. Just make sure it’s silent! 

Thank you Dani, I bought bioremediation gel and wash, don’t work… maybe I don’t do this properly? How often to rinse ? 
I spoke with my GP , I think maybe another week or 2 if I will not get better I will go for antidepressants…

Biotene

Thank you very much 

The gel you use as you need it. A couple of cm placed on your tongue and spread it around your mouth. The mouthwash is for when you need something instant but it doesn’t last long. There’s no cure I’m afraid. All these things just help ease the dry mouth which does improve over time on its own. Chewing gum helps stimulate what saliva you do have. 
The Swallows Head and Neck charity send out support boxes with different types of gel. Maybe there is an alternative you could try. 
Drop the CEO an email and one will be sent to you. They are free. 
Chris@theswallows.org.uk

Hi Barbara. I still use sugar free gum even now at 4 years post radiotherapy , I would say I’m around 95% back to normal during the daytime saliva wise sadly there is no quick  fix. I did pay privately for auricular acupuncture which did kick my saliva into production. It’s still early days for you. The chewing gum I use is sugar free orbital with xyitol in blue tubs  most supermarkets sell ut. At nighttime I still use 1/2 an xyimelt bought online. I have bioxtra mouthwash in prescription. I also brush my teeth 30 minutes after food and use tee pee interdental brushes.If you think you are depressed  there is no stigma asking gp for help i was   lucky I’m a glass half full person it’s not uncommon especially after a head and neck cancer diagnos to have a mild anti depressant.

Rant in here we know where you are coming from 

Hazel 

Thank you, I will try a gum x

Hi Barbara,

sorry to hear you are still struggling. Did you try acupuncture? 
good luck  

Hi again. Did you try the swallows support box? They are really great