Hello everyone,
This is the first discussion I have posted. I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer over 4years ago, radiotherapy for 7 weeks which destroyed my saliva gland. I’m still without saliva and sometimes I can taste my food other times not and difficulty chewing. I eat a lot of soft food and I’ve tried slow cooking chicken and lamb to tenderise the meat, but sometimes I am unable to chew that. I am now going off my food and finding it difficult. I sip water all day also will I am eating. I feel that I can’t be bothered with eating, quite a lot of the time I east porridge.
Sorry for feeling sorry for myself I know other members have gone through this. I’m would be very much appreciated for you experiences
Regards
Susan
Hi Bright lights. So sad to read that your xerostomia is so bad.
Perhaps you can ask your hospital about a trial that UCL is running with Eastman Dental Hospital. It’s a gene therapy trial called AAV2-hAQP1 for those of us who have really poor saliva after RT.
Mine has largely recovered to acceptable levels but I still have to use a xylimelt at night and chew gum through the day.
Hi Susan
One thing an Indian doctor who was interested in my case advised me to do with the meat was to add milk or cream to it when can cooking as that tends to break down the fibers and makes swallowing easier. Apparently this technique is used a lot in Indian cooking. It worked for me and made chewing and swallowing easier. I will also admit that a nice pale ale is, for me, a good saliva replacemen
Hi Susan,
I was also diagnosed 4 years ago and my mouth is extremely dry. Swallowing can be challenging at times too. This summer I came across a product I had never tried before: clinutren Thicken up clear. It does what it says...it thickens up any liquid. When I eat i now mix this with cordial and it does help me swallow food that are at times challenging due to lack of saliva. I find it works better than water.
I hope this helps. 
Fab1
