Ray (my husband)in middle of 6 weeks radiotherapy,very blistered sore mouth,read on here about biotene, and local pharmacist ordered us the pack,t.paste,mouthwash and gel,its made such a difference to Ray's mouth he feels much more comfortable now.But consultant wouldn't prescribe it when we asked.We were just allowed difflam and aspirin.

Radiotherpay treatment is very hard on the mouth and painful and uncomfortable. Make more fuss and get some stronger medication prescribed. If the consultant doesn't at least prescribe solpadol about 4 weeks in and/or morphine or similar go to your GP.
Nystatin for prevention of thrush is also important.

Sorry did I misread that? Has your husband finished his treatment? If he did it just on aspirin and biotene he deserves a medal.

Hello Pauline,Ray has two more weeks of radiotherapy to go,making 6 weeks in total,so far he says he doesn't need pain relief I keep asking him and he insists he's ok.He is still able to eat soft foods (fish etc)The biotene has helped his mouth feel more comfortable.I hope he isn't suffering in silence.

Carol Townsend,

I am presuming you are from Lincoln, UK. After learning about Biotene from this forum my GP prescribed it upon my request. So why were you refused?

Regards, Fridge

Hi, Just a quick note about Biotene.
I have used there products for years now get them from my GP or the Cancer nurse(thanks Maggie ) at the Max fax they will give them to you free so ask next time you go



all the best Paul

Various products help at various times. One I've had similar to biotene a few times was Daktarin. Don't like the taste of it though. Difflam can make thrush worse.

Maybe your husband is having a different amount of radiotherapy. Some people only have it to the neck and to one side only. Some of us have had it both sides of the neck and face and front face and neck and back neck. That may make a difference. But he may just be tough. Most people crack about day 20.

I'm amazed he can still eat. If he can still eat he will recover faster. Anyway good luck to him. Sounds as if his oncologist needs lessons in bedside manners.

wow, My face and neck was in a right sdtate blisters and sore inside and out , I was on the PEG for about 1.5 years before I had anything like soup ect to eat.
I had 36 sessions some have less and some dont get any side effects but as with everything else to do with M& C Cancer if yuo can get it I have

Paul

Thanks everyone for input,Ray is having radiotherapy to tongue,one side of neck,front chin area and chest,We will pursue this business of no prescription for biotene when he sees the oncologist in the morning.We are so pleased to have found this site,you are all so kind.Thank You.

Hi Carol,I've been following your correspondance with interest.Biotene gel is a super product when the treatment is finished. My Husband wasnt allowed to use anything gel like in his mouth during his 33 treatments. When I asked why the reply was "The tissues could fry!"
.We were also warned regarding mouthwashes(only Soda bicarb allowed) & toothpastes(something to do with metal content)Severe Mucositis set in on the 11th day & the consultant immediatly upped his pain relief & he was'nt allowed to be in pain from then on.I hope Ray continues to do well, all our good wishes to you both.

Well Biotene is comparitively cheap and over the counter so I'd not be too aggressive about it. I only ever used it after treatment and last year was the first time I tried it.

But my concern would be getting pain relief meds. Cocodamol over the chemist's counter has I think 8mg of codeine whereas on doctor prescription as Solpadol (slightly better taste and less bitty when dissolved) has 30mg codeine.
The advantage of the solpadol which is dissolved is that it can soothe the sore mouth throat slightly. Even over the counter medicine would help it. It does though cause constipation as does morphine. I suggest a glass of prune juice seLf help plus doctor advice prescription of lactulose, co danthrameror or fybogel to counter this.

Although the dose of Solpadol is 8 tablets over 24 hours I tried to never have more than 6 in 24 hours. It's a dangerous product and easy to take too much and overdose. (I had a cousin die of paracetemol overdose due to low body weight and 8 being too many for her and its made me wary).

It's a good idea to record all medications taken and note the dosage and time as one day drifts into another. Even now I still do this when I take solpadol etc I jot down the time I took it on a scrap of paper. At night when you are tired it's easy to get mixed up.

Other meds would be just as good as some can't tolerate codeine or morphine. But if you can morphine is GOOD pain relief medicine and just about anything becomes tolerable.

I think the fact that your husband can still eat does mean he is not suffering more than he says. Having rads one side of the neck as opposed to both would also make some areas of the mouth/throat less sore and he may be pushing food to the less sore side to compensate where it is uncomfortable as one does after dental treatment. And also people are just different with some people having higher pain threshholds. He may also have the attitude as some of us had that this just has to be got through. That attitude can help a lot.

It seems to me that there is wide variation in how people are treated when going through this and after and I commend the staff who treated me at both Cheltenham (rads) and Worcester (surgery and after care) for all their efforts. There are some truly dedicated workers from doctors to nurses to nehind the scene technicians who do blood work and scans who are never praised enough.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PaulineT,

I still use Biotene, thirteen months after treatments. Just the toothpaste, I never cared much for the gel or the mouthwash. It helps with hygiene and preventing tooth decay, and it gives some comfort to the mouth by cleaning it out, but it is not a pain killer.

When I was getting radiation treatments I depended on a prescription that included some dental numbing drug (can't remember what it was called. Lidocaine? just don't remember) suspended in a fluid that was basically an antacid. The pharmacy had to mix it up by a formula that was prescibed, and they called it "Magic Mouthwash". It gave me temporary relief from the intense pain of all the ulcers along the sides of my tongue, and there was a time that I would not leave home without bringing the Magic Mouthwash with me.

At one point I was so desperate for it that I searched out some little cheesy pharmacy that had all the ingredients, and when they said there was a hold up with my insurance covering it because I had just filled a similar prescription, I paid $75 and got it anyway.

Just brushing with Biotene also helped.

Now I still have a low-grade soreness on the sides of my tongue, but no need for any pain reliever.