Hi everyone. My husband has been offered oral chemotherapy because the side effects of IV chemo were too bad. Any advice.

[Jackyann]

Also he has had thrush for weeks. He is on Fluconazole and mouthwashes etc but no improvement. Any advice would be so appreciated. Thanks

[chelemc]

Hi,pineapple juice is good for oral thrush try gargling with it to coat the inside of the mouth and if you can get hold of some little oral sponges gently stroke the tongue with them. If he s able to get your husband to drink small amounts of it through the day to treat any thrush further down his throat and oesophagus I hope this helps. The only advice I would give about the oral chemo is to speak to your lung cancer nurse and see what advice she can give, I hope your husband is feeling better soon and good luck with the rest of his treatment, Michele x

[Jackyann in reply to chelemc]

Thanks. I will buy some pineapple juice today.

[Billculbard]

Hi Jackyann

I'm afraid I can't help you here, other than to agree very much with Michele about liaising with the cancer nurse specialist for further advice.

Best wishes,

Bill

[Hidden]

Hi Jackyann,

i am assuming that the oral chemo your husband has been offered is Tarceva? I am on a similar oral chemo called iressa. the side effects of these drugs arenot as bad as IV chemo and can work very well.

Iressa is only given to people who have the gene mutation (EGFR) however Tarceva has been know to work on people who are negative for EGFR as its effects aremostly on the blood supply to the tumour. tarceva can leave an acne type rash on the face and back and in some can be troublesome. Be sure to ask your lung cancer nurse about creams and lotions to help this.

Hope all works well for your husband, let us know how he gets on.

lyn x