Swallowing Not getting any better

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Hi there Lillian back again 

T3N2BMO P16 positive SCC right tonsil 

I am now 2 and a half year post treatment and my swallow is not improving.  It did improve for a few weeks but now it is as bad as ever and my mouth is dry beyond belief.  Please, if anyone has any advice or suggestions I will be very grateful 

Lillian 

  • Hi Lilian 

    Dry mouth. What saliva substitutes/ mouthwashes are you using? Is your mouth dry all the time? Have you tried acupuncture Are you still on Fortisips and have you still got that lump under your chin that you thought might be causing you difficulty in swallowing? 
    Sorry for all the questions. 

    Dani 

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

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

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

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  • Have you contacted oncology for advice?  They will have the expertise and hopefully the remedy?

    Micky

  • Hi Dani, thanks for getting back to me.  I use Biotene mouthwash and dry mouth gel and also have Xyligel but they only ease it for a matter of minutes.  I am trying not to use the fortisips but lately I’ve had to have one a day just as a top up.  
     The lump is not there but there is definitely some mucus sticking, I brought a bit up last week but I had to drag it out of my throat but there is more there and I struggle to bring any up at the moment.  Not tried acupuncture yet though I have thought about it.  
    Lillian 

  • Hi Micky,  I mention it to my Head and neck Consultant every time I see him and a couple of weeks ago he said that the extra dryness in my mouth was due to the hot weather. 
    Lillian 

  • Try a pocket size spray filled with plain water. This is often better than continually sipping water which flushes any saliva away. 
    Can you chew gum? That’s a great salivary stimulant. 

    Dani 

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

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

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

    Community Champion badge
  • I do chew gum Dani, I use a one called Pur gum which contains Xylitol but because I have dentures I don’t chew it every day as I end up getting ulcers on my gums.  
    I just wonder if this is as good as it gets for me, and I know that I should be grateful for that, it just gets me down sometimes 

    Thanks Lillian