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Hi, I just finish my last round of Radiation. I've read some of the members stories. Most have been about drymouth, but my problem is just the opposite. I have to much saliva. I spit every 2- 3 minutes. I can't go anywhere or meet with people without spitting. Does anyone have any words of incouragement or solutions to this problem. It has consumed my last 2 weeks and I am worried this is what I am stuck with for the duration (future). Need help
Hello
where was the radiation done, mine was done on my throat and it killed my saliva glands, I would love to have my saliva back, this is one reason I was not gona do radiation cause i did not want to live with this side effect, I thought it would be awful and it is. All I can tell you is talk to your doc, there may be reason this is happening, and some type of med to control it. There is nothing to help us with dry mouth, something we have to live with. Good luck, radiation may save us, but the after effects are the pits.
denimite@verizon.net
Hey Hey, It's good to talk to someone that knows what I'm going through - it's all the pits. I had cancer on the base of my tongue, tonsils and left lymph node. I did 9 week program of chemo and 30 treatments of radiation. You say you wish you had saliva, but I wished I had none. I don't know whats worse spitting every 2-3 minutes or not spitting at all. It all sucks. My doctor seams to side step the question or solution to it, so I'm reaching out to anyone with similiar situations. I have a feeling I'm on my own to figure it out. It consumes my day right now, but hope that I will eventually come to grips with it. If I hear of anything positive about your situation I'll let you know. Thanks
Hey
My doc ENT is great I will see him on June 9th I will ask him about your situation, and if there is anything that can be done, my question is why don't you just swallow it? My experience with the oncologists is they don't know much about what we experience, they act like our side effects are no big deal. Everything I suffered with she would just shake her head and nod like I was a hypocondriac, and later when I researched some stuff found out I was not alone, it was common knowledge, so I printed it and took it to her and she said she knew, wanted to slap her, cause why didn't you tell me when I complained that was normal, instead of making me feel stupid, but they only have what they have been taught will happen to tell us, they have not lived it. When I read about the loss of salivia, I said I do not want radiaton, don't want to live like that forever, and she said it will not happen to you cause we are not radiating that part of your mouth, they were doing my throat, and when I lost the salivia she said I don't know why that happened to you it should not have. Great thanks doc I feel so much better now. Don't forget to pick up your check for the treatment haha.
I had throat cancer on the voice box and the supro glottis, the flap that opens and closes so you don;t choke, I am seven months out so far clean, if it comes back I quit, and will live it out for as long as it lets me, no more treatment. Enough is Enough will let you know what my docs says after the 9th good luck
hey hey, i've been done about 2 weeks, so i'm still eating out of the feeding tube. swallowing that much saliva, i found collects and it makes me sick later, usually in the middle of the night - maybe it will be different in a couple of months. i go back in a couple weeks for a mri and pet scan, just to check the status, but am told, the real test is over the next couple 2 or 3 years. everyday seems like a new challenge - something that is hard for me because i'm more of a routine person. I'd give anything to eat a big mac and have it taste like a big mac or better yet drink water and have it taste like water. Don't give up, if this doesn't work, I've descided to have the surgery - I might mean I'll never talk again, but I'll be there for my 3 kids and wife. And the bright side is I can finally rid myself of my cell phone - that would eliminate 90% of my talking anyways. Good luck
Hey,
Wow, still on the feeding tube, that does suck, now I understand, why swallowing the salivia is a problem.
I was fortunate, i never needed the g tube, they wanted to put one in in case, but I said no, and forced myself to swallow, had a great nutritionist who helped me thru all the swelling and with things I could eat that would keep up my nutrition so I would not need it.
Good luck with the pet scan, I know the anticipation, i have been there, don't think about it or worry and then before you know it, it will be over and you will know. Besides at this point there is nothing worry can do for you, but postive thinking is the one thing that can help the outcome of all this. You are right though this is something we will watch and wait and test and test for many years to come, but it aint' over now thats what i say, so keep on living and moving, don't let it slow you down, make the most of life. We have been given the warning to appreciate cause you never know, we got the warning now we need to heed it. How old are your children?
Let me know how you are doing, I will say a prayer for you good luck and I will ask and let you know after Tues what my doc says about your salivia problem. It can't hurt to ask him for an opinion, or maybe a solution.
Stay Well
denimite
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