Night mucus 12 weeks post RT help please

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.. 

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

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

DesR said:

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.

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

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 

I am a long term throat cancer survivor (over 39 years now). I have developed swallowing issues due to the radiation and chemo I received. I also suffer from reflux, and have learned a lot about it over the years The constant mucus may be due to reflux. You might want to discuss this possibility with your doctor. Also, my ENT has recommended to me to take Mucinex on a daily basis, to thin out the secretions in my throat which I have trouble clearing. Again, this is something you might want to discuss with your doctor before trying.