Hi,
Last time I wrote here I was deciding about when and where to have radiation after a modified tongue resection and modified lymph node dissection (had 1+ node and perineural invasion). It was recommended to me to have chemo in conjuction, as a radiation sensitizer. Currently I've had a peg tube inserted, 7 treatments of radiation and 2 chemo treatments and my mouth has broken out with sores, have a raging sore throat with a big decrease in saliva. I don't know how I'm going to get through 6 weeks of worsening pain with only a week down. I guess the pain means it's working fast. What is a good pain reliever without the dry mouth side effects? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Pamela,
I also suffered the concequences early in my treatment.
For pain relief i started with a mix of paracetamol and condein, and moved on to oramorph (morphine) when that wasn't enough. Have a chat with your doctor, dont suffer in silence

Hi Pamela,
I can endorse what Chelle says: paracetamol and codeine (in varying dosages) with oral morphine as additional painkiller. The oramorph was 'on demand'. I had it three or four times a day (30 minutes before meals and before bed). Now (14 months after RT complete) it is down to a couple of solpardine (soluble paracetamol and codeine) and 5-10 ml of oramorph before bed. (Beware, a consequence of painkillers, in my experience, is chronic constipation.

The painkillers were for the effects of radiotherapy. I had no after-pain with my surgery. Just lucky I guess!

Hugs

Robert

Hi Pamela!
Likewise I was on Paracetamol Rapid Soluble(then it could be put down the PEG)2 tablets 4 times a day and I was also having Oxycodone Liquid I started on 5ml 4 times a day, but this was increased to 10mls when the pain increased. I put up with the pain for as long as I could then they prescribed me with Fentanyl 25. patches these were a treat BUT I was forever asleep or just knackered so after the pain started to receed I stopped the Oxycodone and lowered the strenght of the patches until 7 weeks after the finish of my RT now all I have is 2 Panadol Rapid Soluble 3 times a day, which I can manage through my mouth (very slowly). Man I have a veritable Pharmacy in our Ensuite with heaps of left over drugs. This was a little long winded but I wanted to let you know that it is important to watch your PAIN and control it. The pain you are experiencing is a offshoot of the RT and will sorry to say go on for some time after treatment has finished but it does cease so obviously PATIENCE is important and support from the family,sorry to sound bleak but I was in you spot and thought it would never end but it is ending for me and even though I am still using the dreaded PEG the throat is getting better and so am looking at some runny foods soon. You mentioned dry mouth? this I must say has been one of the sad side effects of RT as it will probably be with you for a long time and maybe for ever(sorry )and the only alternative is to drink(AHH you say HOW when you can't get anything down your throat)well you'll have to keep your mouth rinsed out regualy. As for the nights when you are asleep, I found (well the dentist supplied me ) "Biotene Oralbalance" gel keeps your mouth moist through the night therefore sleep is a lot easier.
Well I could go on forever as like you I am a new person in this club so "Stay Strong" and keep in touch with us on your progress
Love TREV

the biotene products that you get from your g.p i found helpful,like you i suffered fairly quickly into the treatment,biotene do a mouthwash and a couple of different toothpastes plus other products i found helpful.i hope you soon get some relief.love shirl xxx

I found soluble aspirin is quite a good local anaesthetic if you hold it in your mouth for a while. It doesn't last for ages but I used it when I was eating. Dont swallow it though,too much aspirin is bad I think. I used oramorph and solpadol for a while and they worked really well but the constipation was a pain in the ass . All teh best,Hagg.

Dear Pamela,
What everyone has recommended is the best thing. However, if you feel the pain too much to eat or drink - I would suggest get a bottle of xylocaine - which comes in the way of a spray. Its a short spray to make the food passage numb.You can eat and drink without pain till such time the medicine takes its time. If you need more spray some more - there are no side effects.
Love,
Ananth

Hi! Pamela,
I agree with all But have my own items that seem to work for me and that is I have 2 soluble Panadol Rapid Tablets that I can still get down my throat after I have sloshed them around my mouth, I can only take 20 - 30 mls of liquids at a time and have to do it slowly but I find they do a good job and I don't have problems with my bowels(excuse that. The other thing I found good for dry mouth is Biotene Mouthwash before going to bed and a 1/2 inch squirt of Biotene Oral Balance on the tongue and spread it around the mouth, this is good and tends to last about 3 -4 hours and then if you wake up you can repeat it. Another one I tried was Oralube Saliva Substitute which was supplied by the Hospital and you spray that into your mouth, it works But it switched on my GAG muscles and so I only tried it a few times till I stoped wanting to throw up.
The Biotene products are available from our local Pharmacy I don't know what the situation is in the UK but I hope some of this information helps.

Love Trev



Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes of the goal

Thank you all for your great advice. My RT side effects kicked in after having a session of chemo and my doctor had't prepared me with any pain killers. So I went into see him and got a lot of prescriptions and am now on the fetanyl patch, and using bax solution and roxicodone orally. I'm coping much better. The dry mouth is just getting me crazy though and am now getting most nutrition through my tube.
Thanks again for the advice !!!!!

Hi Pamela
I sympathise with you having to go through this terrible treatment.
Make sure you tell the doctors if the pain relief isn't enough,I was on oramorgh to begin with and oxycodone (concentrated morphine)when the rt was at its worst.
I still suffer with the dry mouth as my salivary glands were removed, but do try all the biotene products they may work for you.
Best wishes
Tracey