We are all different, I cannot muster any saliva, thick thin or otherwise; loath chewing gum, but the only thing that keeps me going, and sips of water, drink two litres per night, as throat is mega dry.I have a girlfriend who had throat cancer 7 yrs ago( heavy smoker 60 per day and drinker ) she has been tubed like a race horse, she has too much saliva.When can I expect any SPIT ????? :worried:

Garance welcome to you.

I have some saliva now. Not a lot, but some and some days its better than others. Very little saliva flow for an hour or so first thing in the morning even now 2 years after rads finished in Oct 2002.

The summer of 2003 was quite difficult as my mouth was so dry all the time, summer of 2004 much better. The previous summer I kept feeling that cooked tongue feeling. That has now diminished somewhat, but can return when I have a sore throat. I always carry Evian in a 33cl bottle in my handbag when out. Have gone from using a larger bottle to this tinier one I discovered. Even that is a small blessing as carrying water on your shoulder exacerbates shoulder/neck pain.

Time does improve some aspects of it , I'm sure with time you'll find your mouth does get a little moisture back, but not as before. Kissing is not the same as prolonged kissing dries the mouth up so it's sips of water between which as you can imagine really adds to the sponataneity when you have to stop for water sips!

thanks Pauline, saw the nurse on Thursday and she said my problem was I wanted to go too fast, and I did not realize just what I had been through; I must say I did try to switch my brain off most of the time, as I consider worrying would not help. I saw an old film about pirates made years ago, one cursed another and said """ I wish you a dry mouth """ so it must have been about years ago. Hugs Garance

Do you know Garance that after about 4 or 5 months when you begin to feel more your old self you stop worrying about how food was and how life was just automatic, eating even a choc bar when out with no need for fluid to wash it all down.

You just adapt and realise you are alive and that it's two steps forward and one step back all the time. 3 good days eating when food slightly resembles what food tastes like, 2 when everything is disgusting again. That still happens for many of us. Please know some things will get better, some seem just as bad. I still can't eat crab - had to run to the waste bin last week when I tried a teaspoon of it for the first time in a year. Still have morning phlegm unless on antibiotics, but only about a teaspoon now compared to loads after rads.

I think maybe it takes six months to have dawn on you truly you had a cancer diagnosis as you get swept up in treatment and trying to recover. Then your head says I'll cope with what they did as I have survived thus far maybe because of the treatment.

But all in all this is the price we pay for a chance to live on. I have found the best way to adapt is to realise something major (i.e radiotherapy) has been done to me and whilst food will never be quite the same nor many other things I can now eat the odd meal out and have a cake out as long as there is a full pot of tea with it.

But I agree with your nurse - S L O W L Y does it. If the hospital says something takes six months I have found the recovery on that takes more like 12 months.

I cannot believe how those 2 years have flown past, yet when I say to you, you may have saliva in 2 years it does seem a long way off. So on odd days when there is a little natural mouth moistness you will almost get excited.
It will come way before that, but then it will go. Be patient.

I have never used that ghastly Glandosane more than a few times. I accidentally sprayed it the wrong way first time I used it and it went all down my cheek. Felt like I had been spat at! Put me right off it forever! :ugh:

Hello Pauline. You really msde me laugh. alking about carrying water on your shoulder as if you're a Peruvian camel. (Are there camels in Peru?}
And then the kissing gAME.So true, so true. It is either too dry which is totally hopeless; or I get a sudden rush of saliva/desire and have to rush to the bathroom.
All very off-putting. It's easier having a cuddle.
Thought. I bet Peruvian camels don't get throat cancer. Come to think of it animals are much healthier than we are. Probab;y because they're nicer and not so greedy as homo sapiens.
Wel I retract that. I've never jumped up on the table and licked somebody's plate when they are out of the room.
I was goin g to ask you Pauline. your views on antibiotics. I think I am given too many, by my GP and by the hosp[ital specialist. Tonight I had a bout of sickness after my 5mg amoxycillin. Coughed it up, but 'm not going to take any more althpough theres about half a bottle left. I've been on them three weeks now.
Any thoughts on the subject anyone? Good luck with the swallowing Garance. As Pauline said, it is early days yet. Cliche but true.
Regards Ishbel

Ishbel
Hi there.

Re antibiotics - I don't know what the answer is. I have just had a week of a vile tasting uncoated penicillin for a red sore throat and am still taking diflucan for oral thrush. I stopped the penicillin on Thursday and the sore throat is back and so is the morning phlegm which I noticed just disappeared. Can't do much about it now as am visiting mum for a few days so will just do nothing there except rest. I have been working long hours on my website. I did not see my usual Gp and think these tablets were better suited to horses! Cheap version I expect.

I saw a differnet Doc and wondered if the particular tablet would work. I prefer co-amociclav. I have had antibiotics that made me feel really ill - trimethoprim gave me an all body rash that had 4 GPs coming in to see it as they described it and compared it to a picture in a textbook as the classic allergy to that drug.
Was sicka all over the ensuite taking clarithymycin. Haven't eaten porridge since! So only ever took 2 tablets. Don't really like anything from that erithymycin family of them - they always make me feel really off colour.

It is a problem with these sore throats. Do we take them or don't we. I do usually feel so much better when I do if it is the right antibiotic.
I hope you feel better soon. sometime the good old salt water gargle and abit of inhaling the steam from friar's balsam can be very helpful.

For anyone thinkg of trying the latter Friar's Balsam is available from chemists, but it is POISONOUS if taken. You put about 1 teaspoon into a disposable bowl or bowl kept for the purpose and then pour on a pint of boiling hot water. Put a dry towel over your head and inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Thank you Pauline. I confess I am haunted by something I read somewhere that if you don't finish the penicillin course strange beasties breed in your gut. Anyway dammmit, I am goinf to make a nuisance of myself and ask GP tomorrow. He is doing one thing and hospital oncologist another
I don't suffer sore throats much. Just mucus, thnick and thin and choose your colour. Someone has given me one of these Pifco sauna things which I tried tonight. You have to watch it like a hawk because if it dries in there is the most apalling smell.
JHave you watched Green Wing? Ultimate hosptal doctors'nurses spoof. On Friday and repeated Sat Channel 4.
Regards Ishbel

Hi Garance, I just saw this one. I have salva and it is very thick. I hate licking the stamps so to say. I keep a glass of water with me all the time. I had my cancer in 1989 so it does take awhile for it to come back. I find I have to keep sallowing all the time it gets so thick.
Sorry about the spelling. I also drull at night with it. UGH! Hope all is well with you other wise. Have a Happy Holiday and a lovely boxing day. Cathy

Hi, long time to speak. I am SOO much better, at the verge of the ''tube'' I force fed myself and gained 7 kilos from Foie Gras, butter and creme freshe, it worked. My mouth is still sore, and half a face of hair, but the grey has been replaced with brown again, and I am home free.