Dry/slimy mouth

Hi Lilian 

Indeed a  long time no see.

The dry but slimy feel is down to the fact that you still have functioning mucous glands in your mouth and throat. Another thing that might happen is you get froth in your mouth. I used to get that. It’s a sign that you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth. 
What exactly have you tried to help yourself? 

Hi Dani, for dry mouth I have tried everything on the market, I have spent a small fortune but nothing seems to last longer than a few minutes.  I have sprays, lozenges, Zylymelts, you name it I have tried it. As for the slimy mouth sometimes it is a change from the dry mouth. I sometimes struggle to swallow properly and my neck and jaw go funny if that makes sense xx

Hi Lilian. Try carrying a small spray water bottle and use that to spray in mouth it’s a tip I was given by a late onset side effects nurse. Constantly drinking  washes away saliva it’s a fine balance we still need to drink but try alternating with the spray bottle. I still,chew sugar free gum which stimulates my saliva and I’m iver 6 years. At nighttime it’s still a xyimelts I’ve resigned myself that a certain amount if dry mouth will be with me forever. I am still getting small,improvement ps I now can ride my bike for about 10 km with out needing a drink unless it’s windy then that dries me out. How are you apart from dry miut yiu must be 18 month or so since treatment ended.

Another  tip,I’ve not tried but others have is coconut oil an end of a teaspoon and swill round your mouth  

hygs Hazel . 

Yes I’ll echo the little pocket water spray. 
Exploring acupuncture might be an idea. 

Hi Hazel, nice to hear from you, I am not doing too bad. Had my peg out just over 2 months ago and managing to maintain my weight with the help of my fortisips, I am prescribed 3a day but I manage on 2. 
I chew Pur gum which contains xylitol but it is a double edged sword as I have full dentures so if I chew gum to much I end up with mouth ulcers which in turn stops me eating the small amount of food that I manage. 
I will try the spray though and see if my consultant has any suggestions tomorrow.  

Pleased to hear all is going well with you, thanks for your advice, take care. 
Lillian xx

Thanks Danni do you think acupuncture is any good, if so I will try and give it a shot. 

Thanks again for your support and take care. 
Lillian xxx

Lilian 

Its worth a try. 
You need Auricular Acupuncture 

There are two posts in my blog 

Email all the practitioners near you to see if they offer it  

Hi Lillian I had itv and it  did kick start my saliva. With asking your consultant as some trusts so if or did if. People I know at James cook got it free I had to pay but all were pre Covid. 
like Dani says make sure it’s auricular acupuncture. You’ll get there just look how far you’ve come. I chew gum then park it uk between gum and cheek until I need another chew if that makes sense. 

Hazrl xx

I had all my treatments at James Cook hospital but I just see my consultant in Darlington although he does work at James Cook as well.  Even if I have to pay I don’t mind if it helps.  And yes I do know what you mean about parking the gym thanks lol. 
Lillian xxx

Hi Lilian

That dry and slimy mouth issue sounds rather a trial. I have had radiotherapy twice at different times to my mouth so also suffer from the dry mouth/gluggy mucus issue although the mucus does not happen all the time. I also have dentures so can't use chewing gum as it just sticks onto the dentures. I have tried everything as well and for me found that putting a small dab of Oral7 moisturising gel helps a lot as I can't use Xylimelts anymore. (no workable gums left for me because of jaw cancer)

My specialist dentist recommending using a mouth wash made of salt and bicarbonate soda in water. She says it helps with the flora in the mouth as it has been changed by the radiotherapy.

I do hope you find something that works.

I can't swallow tablets with water as they won't go down and just roll around in my mouth. I put them on a small amount of yogurt or something similar and they seem to mostly slip down that way. Nothing worse than trying to track down a small tablet that has got lost in my mouth.

Lyn