I returned to UK 1st December for 2 months for medical checkups. First one 6th December with a further checkup scheduled for 31st January, 2006.

The first checkup (incidentally, the first one of my second year since end of treatment) showed an apparently favourable rate of recovery progress. However, I still have limited saliva which result in a dry mouth. Also my taste has not fully returned...mores the pity!

When discussing my lack of saliva I was surprised when the specialist stated that following radiotherapy treatment saliva often does not ever return to normal levels and one should get used to carrying around water. Wow!

Has anyone experienced otherwise? I wonder also whether this is the case with taste buds.

I'm 18 months past treatment, and saliva and taste are still minimal.

Last week I was upset that I had ordered peach flavored French toast and got regular French toast, especially when I saw the bill and saw that I was being charged for the peach. Then my son tasted the French toast and told me it was peach-flavored. Oops.

Same here Fridge. I was originally under the impression that my saliva would return and my taste would return to normal. (A result of less than honest consultants) only to realise that I Will always have limitations with both. 3 years on from Rad treatment and taste is still not normal but not too bad overall. Dry mouth of course, is the main problem. Potato chips/crisps, toast/bread etc can't be chewed and swallowed without the obligatory swig of water after every bite. I don't think i'll ever accept it as anything like normal, but i'll learn to live with it. No choice really.

My recent checkup on 6th December (see post 07 December) was conducted by a new medic. Apart from the usual mouth, say eeh! routine and neck check I was given the endoscopy down the nose check.

I was asked if during my last endoscopy check whether I had been given a desensitive spray. Since it was such a long time ago I said I could not remember but probably not. So none was given. The invasive procedure was quite irritable and uncomfortable but not unduly so.

However, 24 hours later the pain at the back of my throat was really something and quite frightening. It came on so rapidly with my nose bunged up and I believed I had a bout of severe 'flu with the associated sore throat. The sore throat acutely painful.

I went to bed (5.30 pm) took two painkillers and gargled some oramorph conveniently handy remaining from my earlier treatment regime.

I guess the oramorph was effective as the pain subsided (also the 'flu symptoms) and after 7 hours but no sleep I have little pain but await to see if things change later.

I conclude that the endoscopy instrument is responsible and I am hoping that soon my throat will be back to normal.

I even entertained the thought that I may have caught MRSA during my checkup visit. Am I paranoid or what? But what a shock after months of things going so well.

Hello Fridge

Most likely, it was the irritation/trauma from the 'scoping'. You should be getting better in the next few days (but see your doctor if you develop a fever!).

Best wishes
Vinod

Spit,Spit,Spit, yes I see people spitting every where on the streets; no I cannot lick my xmas stamps on ! Yes I do go everywhere with a small bottle of water; yes my jaw shuts like a clam of it's own will, yes I do bite my tongue a great deal. But hey I am still here, and that is what we must all remember, look back how you were the last six months, are you a bit better or a lot better ? Try and stay positive !
At least we won't dribble in old age.
BIG BEAR HEALING END OF YEAR HEALING HUGS

Hear Hear Garance. Spoken for all of us. Though this time of year I have actually partaken in a little stamp licking. I managed about 5 the other day before reaching for the Water bottle and can do the odd envelope quite successfully now. What i'm looking forward to though is my Christmas spread of food for this year. All the things ive developed a taste for with lashings of my favourite sauces (to get the bloody stuff down) and it should be a whole lot better than the last couple of years when the festive meal was a take it or leave it thing.
For those of you who are still peg-feeding, hang on in there because you will take your place at the dinner table next time round.... and I sincerely wish you all the best in overcoming your Radiotherapy treatment. The rest of us will all be thinking of you.

Fridge, I hate those endoscopies, even with the spray. But I never had a reaction like that. Ouch. Hope its all getting better.

As long as we're swapping spit (stories), I can lick one or two envelopes, but that's the limit, and I hate to waste what little spit I have on envelopes.

Good luck with your holiday feasts. My new goal is to have a meal with someone who does not know that I had radiation treatments, and pass for normal without any explanations about why I eat funny.

Dr Joshi,

Many thanks for your opinion of the likely cause of my poor reaction to 'scoping'. For my peace of mind I am trying to see my oncologist earlier than my next scheduled appointment.

Oh, how our terror of this wretched disease manages to wratchet up our personal fears.

Also, the posts on this subject leave no doubt about how effectively radiotherapy zaps the saliva system. But we still think it a better option, do we not?

Dr Joshi,

My irritant throat, the result I believe of 'scoping, is returning to normal thank goodness. I thank you for your wise counsel.

I feel for those with drymouth. I take Evoxac 2X da. (4 years)It is normally prescribed for 3X day but I make too much Saliva with 3X da. That would be fine, however I have been diagnosed with having excessive proteins in my Saliva. It is just like Glue. I sleep with a cup by my side as I choke on my Saliva during the night (and day also). Without the Evoxac I can't function at all as It feels like a finger is in my Throat. I microwave my Milk, can't tolerate any cold, wash my mouth with Dial Soap in the Morning.
This started with a Dry Mouth and it escalated into this. I don't think any in the Medical Community understand this problem.

If anyone has any ideas for me I would apppreciate them.
I would sugest anyone with Dry Mouth drink extra water and look into Evoxac or Salagan. In the US it seems like the Dentists are familiar with these Medications.
Jim

I was under the impression as 'steve, hdeathrow' was that saliva would return only to be told the main salivary glands were zapped dead & though we have other minor glands these would compensate but the mouth would never be the same and be mainly dry. So yes water is carried everywhere and I also cannot eat without water being available as I just can't swallow it down.
Foods I have problems with are greasy ones leaves a horrible coating in my mouth and makes the food disgusting. But as Steve said, this is something we will live with as it is the least of our worries.
Also I have a dopey ENT guy who scopes me every other month usually I have the spray, but last time he didn't use it though I didn't have a sore throat or nose I gagged really bad as could feel the scope at the back of my throat. He is under stricked orders now to use the spray!