Hello

My name is Chris and I am a 50 year old tutor of Basic Skills and I.T. I was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsil in July following a tonsillectomy. Since then I have undergone 2 x lots of chemotherapy (5 days staying in) and am currently on 30 sectiions of radiotherapy. I have completed 19 sections and this week am having the second lot of chemo, combined with radio. I am about to start week five of the radiotherapy.

I am pleased to say that I can still swalllow, but have mouth ulcers, oral thrush and have now developed the red neck and also what appears to be dermatitis on the back of my ears. My throat and mouth is sore and I have trouble eating.

However, all of this has not stopped me from going on a hot air balloon trip to celebrate my birthday and a number of parties.

I have developed a clot in my lungs following the last lot of chemo and would warn everybody to ask for special socks when they are in hospital because of the dangers. As a result I am on Warfarin treatment for six months.

Any tips for treating the redness on the neck, which is now itchy greatly appreciated.

Good luck to everybody else who is going through this.

best wishes


Chris

By the way the suedebottom is the name of our jive club in Epsom.

Hi chris and welcome
many years ago i did my nurses training at Epsom district hospital before moving to Yorkshire which i now consider home.
Radiation burns can be a pain in the bum and i found the best way to keep Robs skin in tact was emulsifying cream.I put generous amounts onto his face amd neck but rather than rubbing it right in i left it so he looked as if he had a face mask on and the last of it soaks into the skin by its self.You can buy large tubs,across the counter in the chemist.

Whatever you do dont scratch as this will increase your risk of getting an infection

love liz

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

Hi Chris
Sorry to have to welcome you here but you're in the right place. Cookey is right, absolute lashings of Aqueous Cream B.P. Y ou can buy a big tub in most chemists for a couple of quid. I also found Aloe Vera Gel very soothing, you can get it in Holland & Barrett. If and when the skin cracks they should give you small containers of Nu-Gel, which I found to work wonderfully. Your radiotherapy nurses should be keeping a close eye on you and usually there is at least one skin care specialist among them. Also ask them for Gelclair Oral Gel. Great for sore mouth and throat, in fact I'm still using now. You'll be fine. Just keep strong.
Regards and best wishes.
James.

Hi Chris,

I think we should warn all new members about using aqueous cream behind the ears. It seems to be a common problem. I was really careful about applying cream all over my face and neck, and although I had red marks from the burns on my face, the skin there remained smooth and well moisturised. The skin behind my ears just flaked off because I had forgotten to moisturise there, and I then got an infection.
I would advise asking the radiographers to arrange for you to see the registrar, who should be at the hospital daily. He will be able to help you with all of your problems. You are just reaching the time when they will need to treat the symptons caused by the side effects of your treatment, and don't be afraid to ask for as much help as you need.

Jenni

More at: Radiotherapy (skin protection)

Hi Chris
i foun the radiance skin gell from the bristol cancer center good

Difflam and salt and bicarb mouthwashes

Regards
Dave and Sue

Thankyou for the wonderful advice. I purchased some Radiance gel and it has been amazing at healing the red patches, I am also using Difflam, but still have a bad sore throat, so am limited to the special milkshakes at present. Any further advice on products for sore throats greatly welcomed. Thankyou to everybody who has responded.

Best wishes


Chris

Hi Chris,
I had a similar problem to you and had Chemo and R/T at the same time my treatment finished about 9 weeks ago. I was lucky I think at the beginning as the R/T Nurse gave me some Sorbalene Cream before I started my treatment and I think that made a lot of difference, however al the time during and after the treatment I continued to apply the cream. I am not saying I didn't have redness but I didn't have any sores or bad blistering, I did have some scabs behind my ear where we had failed to apply the cream, but that went not long after we started putting cream on it.
As for the sore throat, I am still having problems with my throat(sorry to say) but it is now controlable, I used Viscous Gell which is not very pleasant but it used to deaden the pain and would last almost through the night, also I would have 2 Panadol Rapid Soluble tablets in half a glass of water and gargle it, Oxycodone was supplied in liquid form by the R/T Doctor and later into my treatment they supplied me with Fentanyl Patches.
I hope some of this advice helps and I wish you all the best and keep in touch as every one on this site has been through it and are always helpfull.
Love Trev

Hello Chris

Many patients have found Gelclair helpful for ulcers in the mouth (mucositis). More information also on the USA Gelclair site. You can get your doctor or oncologist to prescribe it.

You will these links to past posts helpful:

• Medicines (Mucositis)
• 'Mucositis' search

Many patients have found Gelclair helpful. More information also on the USA Gelclair site. You can get your doctor or oncologist to prescribe it.

The MASCC's Mucositis Study Group's report recommended patient-controlled analgesia with morphine as the treatment of choice for oral mucositis. It is often prescribed as a mouthrinse that is swallowed.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Chris,
Am a bit of a latecomer in welcoming you but my reasons will follow some other time. Meanwhile, I just wanted to say hi to you. I am sure you will a great memeber of this family and hope you will share all our moments of joy or sadness as we do.
Love,
Ananth

Thanks everybody for your suggestions. It's great to be able to communicate with people who have had similar problems. The hospital was full of people with breast or lung cancer, but nobody had the same cancer as me. Good luck for the future.

Best wishes


Chris

I'm having terrible trouble with mucuous and can't seem to get rid of it. Any suggestions please.


Chris

Hello Chris

By 'mucous', I assume that you are describing 'stringy saliva'. 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) Mucodyne can be helpful in thinning the stringy saliva that results after radiotherapy. 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

Thanks very much for your suggestions. I didn't sleep a wink last night for mucous, so hope that these ideas help.

Best wishes


Chris

Hi it took me about 3 months to be clear of it but some people recover quicker
i found salt and bicarb mouthwash and a good oral care programme.

gel clair helped me

Dave and Sue