2 weeks of treatment done

Brisbane1 said:

Today he's developed an ulcer in his mouth just wondered if any of forum users have and advice as to how to try and prevent them

Hi. There’s no preventing them and they will get worse as treatment progresses. Plenty of proper analgesia is key. Difflam is quite good in the earlier stages. I used Caphosol mouthwash to protect the mucous membrane of my mouth and Gelclair to help soothe. 
When his mouth gets really painful swishing soluble aspirin ( and spitting out) does give some relief. But there comes a time when only morphine will do. 

Brisbane1 said:

Dreading the next 4 weeks and what lies ahead. .

It will be a challenge but he will get through. Two weeks after treatment end is the worst as the radiotherapy dose mounts up. 
Make sure his radiographers know how he feels so that they can organise proper pain relief. 
I found there was little point in fighting to eat. I used my NG tube from week four for eight weeks. 
Well done for him getting this far.

Big hug from all of us. 

Brisbane1 said:

Is this just an inevitable side effect.

Not necessarily for some patients who have access to photobiomodulation. Ask if his centre provides it. Its in its early days but quite a few patients report that their mouth and throat are less sore than others who don’t get it. 

Hi Brisbane

Some do miss the worst of the side effects of RadioT....Pain?  Oramorph and Difflam certainly helped me....make sure you have enough to cover weekends.

Hated my PEG tube but it turned out to be a life saver.

Peter

I can definitely vouch for PBM..  If you have access to it, use it.. 

I had PBM... obviously, I can't be sure what it may have been like had I not had it, but I managed to get through without mouth sores or ulcers. I used Caphosol multiple times a day and also used Difflam throughout (especially before attempting to eat) to protect me as much as possible. I had a PEG but I was lucky and maintained eating throughout (though did go down to soups and shakes). It is a brutal treatment but we don't all get every one of the side effects... 

Hi and welcome from me.  We all react differently to the treatment, even when it appears we are on similar treatment plans.  That is why this group is so good with a diverse range of experiences to draw on.

As an example I suffered badly from ulcers, but had no nausea during my RT/chemo.  A friend one week behind me had the exact opposite from the same treatment - nausea but not ulcers!

Like your husband I kept up my oral hygiene using salt and bicarb.  That kept things like thrush at bay but did not stop the ulcers which are radiation related.  It is important to keep the mouth clean to stop those ulcers getting infected.

Hi Brisbane

This can be very painful. Don't shy away from using the peg as the more calories & strength he has the better, quicker & easier his fighting & recovery will be.

Both be strong, you can do this xx

Thank you so much. Just need to keep telling myself this 

if mouth/gums are getting sore, use a baby toothbrush and Oranurse toothpaste... it will be gentle, but you can still do a thorough job.. if you're beginning to find eating/appetite a struggle, ask for a pump, and feed overnight.. DON'T leave it until the last minute, because nine times out of ten the proverbial will hit the fan overnight.. and usually over a weekend.. 

oh, and if you've started co-codamol/morphine, make sure you take the laxitives.. definitely DO NOT leave it until it's too late.. if you can, you want to be one step ahead for as long as possible..