VERY SORE TONGUE, MOUTH & THROAT

[gardeningqueen]

My husband had just had the first of 3 ECF chemo sessions so called `Belt & Braces` , after intial chemo in March (no problems) & then Ivor Lewis op in July (recovered well) . He finished on Friday night & his mouth , tongue & throat are really painfull , any food & drink has been very difficult . He is using the mouthwash but is struggling , I wondered if anyone has experience of this & any suggestions? I realise the chemo is targeting this area but I hate seeing him suffering after such a hard year yet doing so well so far.

Many thanks in advance

[kiddy]

Hi I would phone his chemo department and ask for an alternative mouthwash or ideas. I had it but cleared up with mouthwash. It is harder post op. Nothing tastes right. Keep to soft food smoothies and soup. It does get better.

Best wishes

Debbie

[John0118]

Awww that’s awful. Got me worried. I’ve just gone through the same as your husband. I have to see the Oncologist on Wednesday. I hope it’s not to offer me the same thing. I honestly thought the cancer was all gone. Maybe not. Did they insist he had this treatment? Or was it s choice x

[gardeningqueen in reply to John0118]

It was strongly advised as rogue cells could be in the bloodstream after the tumour was removed. Feel that they know better than we do but it's very tough going...

[John0118 in reply to gardeningqueen]

I know. We just have to put ourselves in their hands. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had an amazing journey of chemo, operations, scans, surgeons, oncologists. I just thought it’s been 6 months of hell .. it’s now over, but it isn’t is it. I’m still in pain after 8 weeks I.L op. And developed a bad continual cough but each day at a time I guess x

[liz_crisp]

Talk to the Chemo people they can change the chemo slightly. I had the mop up chemo regime 8 years ago, 6 weeks after the op, it is tough going and the side effects can be different from first time round.

The chemo nurses changed one of the three as I reacted badly to it. Unfortunately we are not as fit as we were for the first lot due to the op and our replumbed digestion.

I spent quite a bit of time in hospital on the mop up cycle, I had problems getting any food or liquid down and keeping it down. They often put me on a drip to get fluids in as I got exhausted. Keep in touch with your chemo dept or nurse, they often have good ideas to help you feel a bit better or make swallowing easier.

Good luck and lots of strength and hugs

Lizzy

[cherrybailey]

My op was totally different had chemo (stomach and part of the O removed) I had a bad time one thing and another left hospital after a month feeding tube. Could not taste anything for months. Not about me! I did not get the painful swollen tongue till at least a year later hurt to talk. I used Ice try and relieve it helped!!! I was told I had lost a layer off my tongue. The good news is there is a light gets better mine lasted guessing 6 months. I am 11 years down the line keep strong fight positive xxxxxx

[Jeannie1]

I had a sort of tube of cream for my sore mouth and tongue and would you believe pineapple was such a relief.