Chemo side effects

[Wifey123]

Hi my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 nsclc with alk in Dec 2014. He's been stable on pemetrexed since and has just completed his 55th dose. He's struggling with his mouth (tongue swelling and weird taste carpet tongue etc) he's tried all the mouthwashes. Can only tolerate to drink small amounts of bottled water and not eating much! This lasts around a week of the cycle. He's reluctant to discontinue treatment while the cancer remains stable so just wondering if anybody knows of any other meds to help with the sore mouth please? All advice greatly received.

[Debby1125]

I got magic mouthwash from my radiologist and it really really helped. I'm sure your oncologist can also give you the prescription for it. Good luck.

[Mikest1]

It's great that he has not had to change as the chemo has lasted for so long. Has he joined the Alk positive facebook group as there are more than 1000 members with alk including myself who can give good advice. I have only been on crizotinib so far so can't help with this specific question.

[Wifey123 in reply to Mikest1]

Hi I'm a member of this group as he's not on Facebook. Fab group

[Tapdancer]

You could ask the oncologist for some Gelclair sachets. These worked a treat for my mum.

[Daisy47]

Hello Wifey123! Pineapple contains bromelain which can help with thrush and also mouth tastes from other causes It seemed to work on patients, prescribed by a Doctor in a Hospital a few years ago. There is information on the internet. However I would suggest asking for medical advice due to chemo, in case of potential interactions to drugs.

Many blessings to you both.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Wifey123

I am sorry to hear about your husbands oral problems.You might want to consider using a detergent free toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is a chemical used in toothpaste to create the foaming action. SLS can cause or irritate existing allergies, mouth ulcers and bad breath.

Some information is available

slsfree.net/sls-free-toothp...

There are a variety of detergent free toothpastes available and some are available on prescription. There are also some triple action products available for example mouthwashes, gels for dry mouth and toothpastes. Your pharmacist will advise you.

Gentle cleaning of the tongue with a soft toothbrush or a tongue scraper may help.

Debbie125 discusses magic mouthwash attached is a link which explains its use. bccancer.bc.ca/managing-sym...

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline

[Wifey123]

Thankyou will have a look.

[CaroleH1949 in reply to Wifey123]

My husband uses Aloclair from Boots the chemist. It’s the only thing that helps when he gets mouth ulcers. Within a few hours they have gone x would recommend it to anyone suffering from sore mouth. It’s a mouthwash as he couldn’t get on with the gel the oncologist prescribed as it came off as soon as he ate anything.

[Meysey]

I get something similar when I am antibiotics. It's an oral thrush. I use Daktarin which helps to remedy the problem. Though I have to say it is weird trying to apply a cream to your tongue.