I was diagnosed with Base of Tongue Squamous Cell Cancer and received 32 Radiation treatments with concurrent Cisplatin Chemotherapy on days 2 ,21 and 42. My treatment was completed on April 20, 2007 and while I had my Peg Tube taken out 6 weeks ago I am still experiencing chronic throat pain and a thick mucus from the back of my throat which makes me have to spit quite often. Has anyone else experienced throat pain 5 months post treatment and does this thick mucus saliva ever get better?

Hello Steven

It appears that you are describing 'stringy saliva'. It does get better. Do look through the past discussion about stringy saliva to read more.
The following suggestions might help with this problem:
(1) Rinse with a warm, dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or salt & bicarbonate every two hours to bathe the tissues and control oral acidity. Two teaspoons of bicarbonate (or one teaspoon of table salt plus one teaspoon of bicarbonate) per quart solution is recommended. Use the 'salt+bicarb' mouthwash often as it is soothing, counters the dryness and removes thick saliva.
(2) Use the Mucodyne when the saliva gets stringy; it helps thin it.
Mucodyne is currently being used for other purposes: glue ear, respiratory tract disorders (disorders of the breathing passages) characterised by excessive or viscous mucus, including chronic obstructive airways disease, etc. You can get it in capsule forms Capsule Form and Syrup Form. The Mucodyne Syrup is a clear, amber syrupy liquid smelling of rum and slightly of cinnamon. I suggest you ask your doctors about it, try it out. Do let us know if it helps you.


Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Steven
I had the same thing as you with similar treatment (35 x RT and 4 x chemo). Treatment finished nearly 10 weeks ago. The feeding tube came out 2 weeks ago. The saliva has gone from being a real problem to being a nuisance, so it does get better. However the throat pain shows no sign of impovement. I'd be interested to know what painkillers you're on because nothing seems to work for me. The only relief I get is from is from gargling Mucogel/Malox with Xylocaine just before eating and going to sleep. Keep checking for thrush, that can be painful. Hope things improve for you soon
Regards jamesr.

Hi James,
Sorry I did not respond to you sooner. Yes...my saliva situation has gotten much better then when I was being treated. In the beginning I was spitting every 10 minutes 24 hours a day with my eventually getting a sucktion machine to help clear my mouth. Now I sleep through the night and only spit a few times an hour during the day. I'm not presently taking any painkillers as I seem to be allergic to all of them and they cause me to become both nausus and give me extremely bad itching. I was taking oxycotine? a few months ago as needed.
Thanks for your reply, Steven

Dear Steven and James,
..... and I will keep my trap shut as I do not understand greek ( smile guys! )
Love,
Ananth

Hi Steven
I hope you are well. I saw my oncologist a few days ago, still complaining of throat pain. He prescribed Diclofenac 50mg tablets. I seem to recall taking them before much earlier on in the saga. This time they have worked wonderfully. Within 24 hours the pain had lessened considerably and remains much better. Might be worth try.
Regards
James

Hi,
Diclofenac is anti-inflamitory pain killer. I had them for my biopsy last week and i'm sure i had them for my shoulders. I find they irritate my stomach lining though - i think because of all the being sick i did through chemo. I expect my tummys delicate as a result!
Anyway, i hopeyour throat eases up James. Take care!
Me!