Night mucus 12 weeks post RT help please

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Hi all,

I’m getting worse at night waking up with uncomfortable mucus in my throat that I can’t seem to shift. I do have a nebuliser that helps but I wondered if anyone else struggles at night with breathing and is there any suggestions that can help?

Thanks for listening 

Sue x

  • Hi Sue, I'm almost 10 months clear and I'm always trying to clear my throat, not just at night but all day as well.. I think it caused by the lack of saliva, etc.. I haven't found anything that really helps I'm afraid.. for me, it's just another side effect along with dry mouth.. 

    Loz (61)

    Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive.. 

  • Have you tried xylimelts at night to keep your saliva going?

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below 

    https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com 

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Thanks Loz, during the day it’s copeable but I do start panicking in the night although I’ve started using 2 pillows that helps a bit! X

  • I have tried them Dani but they are painful on my tongue so I just use oralieve gel which is milder. Thanks for your suggestion though xx

  • I found the nights the worst. What helped me was keeping warm. As soon as I felt chilly the coughing and mucous worsened  I also have a netty pot which helped enormously to clear me . A hot steamy shower before bed where I could clear out as much as possible 

    try and sleep upright .  I would sip through the night. I got to the point where I had a bag like cyclists use and kept the straw handy so I didn’t have to sit up to drink 

    All the best  x

  • bag like cyclists use

    That's what I still have. Really useful. If you need a sip of water I just have to roll over but not sit up.

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below 

    https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com 

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Thanks DesR, how long did it last? I’m on my third month and can’t see any improvement yet unfortunately 

  • Hi Sue humidifier in the bedroom central heating won’t be helping either. If you can turn radiator off in bedroom. I altered bedroom so I could sleep with pillows 3 at its worst and tucked myself up against a corner. During g day soda water helped disperse the mucus Xyimelts are best stuck on top gum then they don’t get near tongue I cut in half with a sharp knife sort of band blade against brown side of it. 

    best wishes Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Sue about 4-5 months. The mucous is an issue for many months and slowly does subside and become manageable allowing you to sleep . You learn tips and tricks that work for you. For me the biggest tip was sparkling water, keeping warm-  our bedroom was too cold so I switched rooms and Saw an instant improvement.  And also drinking all day. Constant sips which dilute it 

    I was at my wits end at your stage too. Hugs