Excessive phlegm after neck cancer
I am asking for a close friend who had surgery in Aug.2017 for cancers in her mouth and neck area. Cancers in her throat were next to her voice box but they did not have to remove her voice box. Since this surgery she has not been able to swallow or eat and has a G tube. One of the most bothersome things for her is excessive phlegm causing her to have to suction constantly. At night she is afraid she will choke to death. Is there anything that can lessen this amount of phlegm? She is having speech therapy for swallowing, but so far nothing has improved. The surgeon and speech pathologist have told her the only thing that can be done to help her swallow and be able to eat is to remove her voice box (total laryngectomy). Although she wants to be able to eat, the most important thing to her is get rid of this phlegm. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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@bethcasbeer Curious is she tried the gargling and whether it worked?
C
My wife struggles with this for years. The PT swallow clinic and many exercises later helped. She also uses a humidifier next to her most of the time which makes her breathing easier. When the phlegm blocks her throat she tries to cough it out, or if she can’t she takes a Lorazepam and relaxes which soon opens her throat up again. This is mainly the day after chemo (Paclitaxel and Erbitux every week forever-75 week’s now). She has gone from not eating to eating plus tube-feeding at night (3 boxes a day). Good luck!
Thanks - good suggestions and wish you the best. Sounds like you are are great care giver
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C