Excess thick mucous following radiation treatment laryngeal cancer
I had 35 radiation sessions in 2010 to eradicate laryngeal cancer. Since then I have had excess mucous build up that sometimes almost chokes me. It is embarrassing to be in public and have to cough up this thick somewhat opaque substance and either spit it out (gross) or into a tissue. This situation occurs many times throughout the day and into the evening. It sometimes wakes me up at night and I have to go into the bathroom and expel the "stuff". I have tried to drink a ton of water but that doesn't seem to do much except make me, well you know. Also tried other magic elixirs and various combinations of water and baking soda, etc. Does anyone have an option that truly works to thin out this mucous?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head and Neck Cancers group.
I had head and neck cancer base of tongue ,I get choked when I'm eating I also get choked on mucus I drink diet Coke when I'm choked,water makes it worse for me
My husband had Oropharyngeal cancer -SCC at base of tongue 2/2017; chemoradiation therapy done May 2017, he was/is plagued with excess mucus daily post his since “standard 7wks of daily radiation” and has a collapsed esophagus from scar tissue that prevents any swallowing. Some will just say it’s collateral damage, at least he is cancer free. Being an advocate voice post 6yrs fighting my personal cancers, I’m amazed that more patients don’t have similar complications since his treatment was “standard therapy”. Our understanding is the mucus is also considered collateral damage; 18-months on this journey and we highly recommend one needs to really pursue speech & swallow PT religiously to keep all your throat muscles connected and actively working as radiation destroys sooo many throat muscles the medical worlds doesn’t/can’t monitor to track potential damage during treatments! On that note, I’d like to open a question to this audience, Carol/monitor permitting, can we survey what collateral effects/damage this community experiences, data we can collect and share with the HNC world. There has to be a better way to help throat cancer patients, there should be better conversations at diagnosis and treatment discussions reviewing expectations and potential long-term side effects, as I’m sure no one was told about excessive mucus for life, never mind we might fried shut your esophagus! Carol - thoughts for using this platform to secure patient data re side effects that could be valuable data to our HNC doctors?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsDotti,
I know you and your husband have had extensive rehab, The radiation really did a job on him! I admire you for wanting to do something about this. I'm no longer a moderator here, just someone who can offer support. The person to talk to about your idea is Dr Charles Weaver, the founder of CancerConnect. He is very interested in surveys and research. His email address is chweaver@omnihealthmedia.com Let him know what you'd like to do.
Carol
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionTry Tussin (guaifenesin) over the counter expectorant. You can take it up to 6 times a day. I works for me 6 years after treatment. Joe
HI Dotti, my cancer was diagnosed in 2000 but I had a "hidden" primary tumour which made five secondaries and took four years to find. I had five lots of surgery and six weeks radiotherapy, a PEG for a year and was finally finished with it, apart from follow-ups six years later. I have very little swallow and find it difficult to eat most things so my diet is not at all healthy. Fortunately I don't have too much of a problem with mucous but am left with a few other things I have to live with. However, I am still here! I would definitely take part in any survey about how we are affected by our treatments, hoping that it may help others along the way.
Interesting that I just found and read this on American Cancer Society’s website this AM: “Doctors are also studying the best schedule for giving radiation therapy. External beam radiation treatments are usually given once a day, 5 days a week, for many weeks in a row. Studies are now under way to see if schedules that either give the doses over fewer days or give smaller doses twice a day might be more effective.“ It would be great if program moderators extend their reach to find where we all could share our progress as clearly the HNC world is realizing the extensive damage their current therapy model creates. I understand invasive mouth/jaw surgery previously used causes many Re permanent disfigurement that ultimately lead to using this 7-SK daily radiation model, yet clearly results cause long term collateral damage that appears to go unrecognized by medical world... clearly better practices needed and this forum is filled with survivors now with life-long battles that should be part of newer studies. I’ll do my best to keep this in motion as we all strive to pay it forward making the journey a little easier for the newly diagnosed patients. To all, remember to be positive daily asyou take on your challenges, as I know many face even harder days. Sending hugs filled with positive strength to all.
Thank you for this information Carol - and yes, Im on it...
Will keep this community posted if he has further interest.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had radiation twice a day for 5 weeks. My Dr said he thought it was better as did not give the cancer time to recover. Going for 6 month scan tomorrow
Best wishes for your scan tomorrow, Garth.
With regard to the initial questions has anyone had experience reducing the amount of mucous following treatment?
C